Student Assistance and Family Empowerment (SAFE)

                  SAFE Coordinator                                               School Social Worker

                  Tammy Whitfield                                                 Laura Kempfer

                  Tammy.Whitfield@ocps.net                               Laura.Kempfer@ocps.net

The Student Assistance and Family Empowerment Program, SAFE, offers direct help and resources for students and families. The SAFE office is located in room 669 at Lake Nona High School and offers students a confidential and safe place to go if they need someone to talk to or need help resolving their problems. The SAFE office also helps students in mental health crises and implements programs at Lake Nona High School that help to promote non-violent, healthy and drug-free lifestyles. Additionally, we have Cubs Cabinet  which has supplemental food and hygiene supplies to assist students in need.

SAFE Office interventions are:

• Preventative- Provide educational information to teachers, students and families; facilitate drug and alcohol prevention activities and presentations; work with at-risk students, etc.
• Supportive- Facilitate support groups; work with students and families so that the student is able to remain in school; refer students to other agencies and resources as necessary.
• Responsive- Assist with mental health crises, abuse/neglect issues, peer mediation, suspected drug/alcohol use etc.

The SAFE Coordinator and School-based Social Worker meet with students, their families, school faculty/staff, and community service agencies. The interventions are generally brief and short-term as they are meant to support the student's academics. Additionally, the SAFE office can refer out for ongoing therapeutic interventions. 

Please reach out via email to the SAFE Office if you need assistance (see email addresses above). We are here to support you and your family!