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. Start Strong Austin engages community partners, strengthens youth leadership and utilizes innovative media strategies to build healthy teen relationships.
Safeplace, the lead partner in Start Strong Austin, exists to end sexual and domestic violence through safety, healing, prevention and social change. With more than 35 years experience working with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, SafePlace is internationally recognized for its innovative and effective programs.
Serving Austin schools since 1988, Expect Respect provides school-based counseling and support groups, youth leadership activities and educational programs for youth and adults. Through the Start Strong Initiative, we are engaging new partners and empowering youth to create new standards for mutual respect, trust and support in relationships through theatre, music, art and digital media.
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
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.