About Start Strong Austin

Start Strong Austin is a collaboration of school and community partners working together to promote safe and healthy teen relationships and prevent teen dating abuse. Austin is one of 11 sites in the United States participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationship Initiative.  Through this community-wide effort we are engaging community partners, strengthening youth leadership and utilizing innovative media strategies to build healthy teen relationships.

Teen dating violence is a serious public health problem.

The National Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that one out of ten students has been hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend. Teen dating violence increases teens' risk for physical, emotional and mental health problems including drug and alcohol abuse, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, depression and anxiety and dropping out of school.

Start Strong is committed to prevention.

There is a strong connection between our overall health and how we live, work, learn and love. This four-year initiative is mobilizing entire communities to create environments for youth that teach, model and support healthy relationships and prevent violence before it starts.

Teens are taking a lead to end violence and abuse in dating relationships.

Teens want to be part of the solution and Start Strong is empowering them with the knowledge and skills to lead efforts to prevent dating violence in their communities.

Adults play a critical role in helping young people achieve healthy relationships.

Everyone in the community has a stake in preventing dating and sexual violence. Parents, teachers, coaches, peers and other important people in young people's lives can teach, model and support healthy relationships for youth.

Start Strong Austin Partners

SafePlace is leading the Start Strong Austin partnership. SafePlace's Expect Respect Program is providing school-based counseling and support groups, youth leadership training, youth theatre in collaboration with Theatre Action Project, and other educational programs for school and community partners.

The Austin Independent School District is providing Safe Dates, a primary prevention curriculum, in selected middle schools, offering workshops for parents, and collaborating with SafePlace to provide school-based support groups and youth leadership training. AISD promotes safe and respectful learning environments district-wide through school policy, (see Get Involved page) staff training and advisory lessons.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area is providing Date Smart, a primary prevention curriculum for youth, in after school programs and engaging parents in awareness activities.

Seton Family of Hospitals Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas is training school nurses and developing screening and prevention materials for health care providers.

The Austin Project is engaging parents and community members in conversations about healthy and abusive teen relationships, positive parenting practices, and awareness of resources in the community.

Theatre Action Project is collaborating with SafePlace to direct the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble which provides original theatre performances by youth for youth audiences on topics including dating and relationships.

Austin Voices is supporting efforts to engage youth as consultants in guiding this initiative and in mobilizing youth leaders.

Jennifer's Hope Founder, Elizabeth Crecente, and Ortralla LuWone Mosley Foundation Founder, Carolyn Mosley, are providing guidance and support for educating parents and other community members on the importance of preventing dating and sexual violence.

Ian Cion, Artists in Hospitals, is engaging youth in creating positive environmental changes through art in public places and in utilizing media to document their work.

The Cipher – Austin's Hip Hop Project is on a mission to build a community of young leaders and engaged hip hop artists and to strengthen the East Austin community.