CHOICES Suspension Alternative
Prevention and Intervention
RCPS Prevention and Intervention (P&I) addresses behaviors that hinder a student’s ability to be successful in school. RCPS defines prevention and intervention as those services (programs, individual and/or group sessions) that address chronic behaviors that come between a student and his/her ability to learn. These behaviors may be related to discipline issues (violence, bullying, gangs); classroom conduct; social/emotional learning; and/or alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Prevention and intervention strategies are personalized to meet individual student needs.
The Prevention and Intervention (P&I) program is designed to equip students with behavior management strategies that address individual concerns by enhancing problem-solving abilities, teaching decision-making skills, learning how to manage conflict/change, and/or developing a positive self-concept. P&I Specialists implement the RCPS Prevention and Intervention Program.
P & I Fact Sheet (PDF) (RTF)
Programs and services offered by Prevention and Intervention include:
Staff Trainings
• De-escalation Training
• MindSet Training
Prevention Programs
• Project Connect (nicotine use)
• Too Good for Drugs
• Too Good for Violence
• A.R.T. (Anger Replacement Therapy)
• Check & Connect
• Mediation
Services
• School-Based Mental Health Services through Academy for Family Empowerment (AFE)
• Mentorship
Research-Based Prevention Curriculum
• Phoenix Curriculum
• Ripple Effect
Additional programs include:
Centralized Help and Opportunities for Individual Students to Capitalize on Educational Success (CHOICES)
A day alternative to out-of-school suspension programs in which students are provided with consequences for their violation of the code of conduct. In addition, students have a strong counseling and group-level intervention component to address challenges.
Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.)
Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) is an evidence-based gang and violence prevention program built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula operated by the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office and School Resource Officers (SRO).
Code of Conduct
A structured standard designed to encourage self-respecting behavior in students, as well as to encourage adherence to the Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Behavior Code. Students are provided and taught this information at the beginning of the school year. In addition, parental forms acknowledging receipt and review of the Code of Conduct are sent home for signature.
RCPS Student Behavior Code
Prevention and Intervention Specialists
| Name | Job Title/Location | Business Phone |
| Furman Smith | Lead P&I Specialist RCPS Central Office |
770-483-4713 x10313 |
| Chalice Downs, MAMFT | P&I Specialist Conyers Middle School/Flat Shoals Elementary School |
770-483-3371 |
| James Skipworth | P&I Specialist Edwards Middle School/Honey Creek Elementary School |
770-483-3255 |
| Audrey Heyward | P&I Specialist General Ray Davis Middle School/Hightower Trail Elementary School |
770-388-5675 |
| Kalum Harris | P&I Specialist Salem High School/Peek's Chapel Elementary School |
770-929-0176 |
| Steven Miller | P&I Specialist Heritage High School/Sims Elementary School |
770-483-5428 |
| Mary "Callie" Sadler, LPC | P&I Specialist Barksdale Elementary School J.H. House Elementary School Lorraine Elementary School P&I Behavior Specialist All Elementary Schools |
770-483-0657 |
| Tameka Singh | P&I Specialist EPIC Center/Shoal Creek Elementary School |
770-922-8636 |
| Babatunji Thurmon | P&I Specialist Memorial Middle School/C.J. Hicks Elementary School |
770-922-0139 |
Forms
Form 001 - Behavioral Services Referral Form (PDF) (RTF)
Form 002 - Behavioral Health Screening Consent Form (PDF) (RTF)
Form 003 - Consent for Prevention and Intervention Services (PDF) (RTF)
Seven Challenges Student Referral (PDF) (RTF)
Seven Challenges Overview (PDF) (RTF)
Helpful Links
RCPS Student Behavior Code
Bullying Prevention
G.R.E.A.T. Program
Homeless Education
How to Become a Mentor
Seven Challenges Program
Suicide Prevention
Drug Use Prevention