AWARE Texas

Background

AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) Texas is a five-year initiative designed to strengthen community and school-based supports for the mental health and resiliency of students. Under a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has partnered with Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to design and implement this program, which deploys evidence-based mental health resources in fifteen schools along the Texas Gulf Coast. These LEAs were selected based on the devastating effects from Hurricane Harvey.

Map of Texas reflecting the four regions involved in AWARE. The map includes ESC Regions 2, 3, 4, and 5, along with Port Aransas ISD, Refugio ISD, Woodsboro ISD, Goose Creek ISD, and Bridge City ISD.

Goal 1

Increase and improve access to culturally competent and developmentally appropriate school and community-based mental health services.

Goal 2

Increase awareness and identification of mental health issues among adults working with young people.

Goal 3

Help students develop skills that promote resilience, self-regulation and pro-social behaviors, avert the development of mental health disorders and prevent youth violence.

Goal 4

Develop an infrastructure that will sustain services at LEA/ESCs and build statewide capacity for promoting mental health awareness and evidence-based practices.