SAFE

SAFE: Student Assistance and Family Empowerment 

SAFE Coordinator:
Mukia Myrick, 407-905-6400 ext. 612-6435 or  [email protected]

For LIFE THREATENING issues, call 911

Purpose
The Student Assistance and Family Empowerment Program, or SAFE, provides a comprehensive range of prevention and intervention services for students and their families at elementary and secondary schools in the District. The focus is based on students' needs in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and violence prevention. A variety of curricula and programs are used to support that goal.

The SAFE Office also has a food pantry, clothing, school supplies, and toiletries for any student in need.

HOW TO GET HELP
To receive help from the SAFE Coordinator, contact Ms. Sidwell. If you cannot reach Ms. Sidwell, please speak with an administrator, dean, counselor, teacher, or secretary at the school. 


Referrals to SAFE usually arrive by:

  • Parents referring their children 
  • Other students referring their friends 
  • Students referring themselves 
  • Teachers and other school staff members referring a student 


EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Child Abuse (Florida) 1-800-962-2873

Community Mental Health and Crisis Facility (Lakeside Alternative Center) 
407-875-3700 

Drug and Alcohol Problems
-Addiction Receiving Facility 407-836-8800
-Center For Drug Free Living 407-245-0016
-Alcoholic Anonymous 407-521-0012
-Al-Anon and Alateen(Family and Friend of Alcoholics) Orange County 407-896-4929, Lake and West Volusia 800-292-6489, Seminole County 407-425-5157

HIV/AIDS
Centaur 407-849-1452

Hospitals 
-Florida Hospital Center for Psychiatry 407-897-1800
-University Behavioral Center 407-282-3000 
-Central Florida Behavioral Hospital 407-370-0111

Out-of-control/Runaway/Throwaway Youth 
-Great Oaks Youth Shelter 407-836-7626
-MVP/Homeless 407-317-3200 
 
SOMETIMES young people face challenging issues:
•Violence 
•Grief and loss 
•Divorce and family problems 
•Depression and suicide 
•Lack of self-esteem 
•Cultural conflicts 
•Relationship problems 
•Drugs, tobacco and alcohol abuse 
•Homelessness 
•Cult and gang involvement 
•Child Abuse 
•Eating disorders and other Health issues 
•Conflicts leading to violence 
•HIV/Sexually transmitted infections 
•Teen pregnancy 
•Victims of Crime

HIGH-RISK INDICATORS - LOOK FOR SEVERAL OF THESE 
•Academic Problems 
•Skipping school or suspended from school 
•Hyperactive, erratic or nervous behavior, mood swings 
•Sadness, depression or withdrawal 
•Home or legal problems or changes in friends 
•Lack of concentration or motivation 
•Disruptive, defiant, violent behavior 
•Sleepy, disoriented, stumbling 
•Slurred speech, red eyes or dilated pupils 
•Eating disorder

To contact the S.A.F.E. Coordinator at Olympia, call Ms. Myrick at (407) 905-6400 ext. 612-6435, Room 617C