As the school year wrapped up at Killearn Lakes Elementary School (KLES), one standout moment reminded us of the real impact educators and support professionals can have on the lives of young students. Ms. Dominica Carter, a dedicated team member from DISC Village’s Prevention Program, was recognized by KLES staff for her exceptional work on campus.
“She has really formed such great relationships with the students all over campus, and she is making a real difference with those who are participating in the program. She is knowledgeable, patient, and kind, and we appreciate her team player spirit,” the school shared.
They went on to praise her ability to connect with students and align with the school’s mission: helping children become more self-aware, emotionally resilient, and capable of advocating for themselves in healthy, constructive ways.
Ms. Carter’s recognition is more than a personal accolade—it’s a powerful reflection of what happens when leading prevention services for schools in North Florida are embedded into educational environments. It also speaks to the broader community impact of programs like this and why prevention services are essential for long-term student wellness and success.
What Is the Prevention Program?
DISC Village’s School-Based Prevention Program is a research-based, school-integrated prevention program that helps children and adolescents build critical life skills that support mental health, emotional regulation, and drug-use prevention. It is offered across elementary, middle, and high schools in Leon, Madison, and Wakulla counties, with significant success in improving student behavior and outlook.
At its core, the Prevention Program delivers a 16-session life skills curriculum designed to:
- Reduce the likelihood of substance use
- Prevent school-related issues like delinquency and behavioral outbursts
- Promote healthy anger management
- Teach self-awareness, empathy, communication, and coping strategies
The curriculum is delivered in the school setting, allowing for consistent engagement with students during their normal school routines. Rather than isolating wellness or behavior management into one-off conversations, the prevention program integrates skill-building into everyday learning, making emotional growth and resilience a natural part of the school day.
This program focuses on helping students build internal motivation and learn to recognize, express, and manage their emotions productively. When students feel empowered to make decisions, set boundaries, and seek help, it translates into more successful educational outcomes and healthier communities.
How Prevention Programs Help Kids in Our Community
The stories from North Florida schools highlight the very real and measurable difference prevention programs are making. Ms. Carter’s work at KLES is just one example of how a committed, caring professional, backed by a strong curriculum and community partnerships, can help students thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Here’s how access to leading prevention services for schools in North Florida has helped students and families:
1. Early Intervention Builds Long-Term Resilience
Students who participate in this program often show significant improvement in their ability to regulate emotions, handle conflict, and form healthy relationships with peers and adults. These early wins matter. When kids learn how to deal with challenges in elementary school, they’re better equipped to navigate the tougher transitions of middle and high school.
Ms. Carter’s presence on campus created a space where students felt safe to open up. One school official noted her ability to “build beautiful relationships that are making a huge impact in [students’] lives.” These relationships are at the heart of early intervention, establishing trust so children are more likely to ask for help when they need it most.
2. Support for Struggling Students Who Don’t ‘Act Out’
Not all struggling students show it through poor behavior or failing grades. Many quietly internalize their emotional stress, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues down the line. This program allows students to identify their emotions and develop language around what they’re feeling, a foundational skill for lifelong mental health.
Even students who aren’t in immediate crisis benefit from the universal skills taught through prevention programs, like mindfulness, stress management, and peer communication. These tools can be the difference between a student withdrawing or reaching out.
3. Creating a Culture of Empathy and Awareness
Killearn Lakes Elementary School emphasized how Ms. Carter’s work wasn’t limited to a handful of students—it had a ripple effect throughout the campus. Prevention professionals not only serve individual students but also model positive communication, empathy, and patience in a way that lifts the overall culture of a school.
By equipping students with tools to manage frustration, express themselves respectfully, and cope with disappointment, the prevention program model makes schools more inclusive, compassionate spaces where students learn to treat each other with care.
This is essential in today’s world, where students face more pressure and emotional stress than ever before. Prevention services help re-center the student experience around kindness, community, and emotional literacy.
4. Supporting Teachers and Parents
Teachers and parents also benefit when prevention services are part of the school experience. Behavioral challenges often stem from underlying mental health or emotional difficulties that require more than traditional discipline. Prevention specialists like Ms. Carter offer a bridge between students, staff, and families, helping adults better understand what students are going through and how to support them.
At KLES, staff praised Ms. Carter for being a team player and aligning with the school’s core values. Her presence helped educators better support students, and her consistent involvement provided a sense of stability and predictability for children navigating tough emotions.
Why Access to Prevention Services Matters
Prevention services can be life-changing—but only if students can access them consistently, early, and without stigma. That’s why DISC Village focuses on embedding prevention services directly into schools, meeting students where they are and integrating care into their everyday lives.
For students in rural or underserved areas, these services may be one of the few behavioral health supports they receive. Offering them in a school setting:
- Removes barriers like transportation, cost, or stigma
- Provides immediate help to students before problems escalate
- Encourages collaboration between schools and behavioral health professionals
- Helps entire classrooms benefit from improved behavior and peer interactions
DISC Village has been a regional leader in prevention, and its impact is especially felt across North Florida schools. Through consistent funding, professional training, and curriculum development, we have made it possible for students to grow into more confident, emotionally intelligent, and resilient individuals.
The results speak for themselves: students who once struggled to manage anger or peer relationships are now using their voices to self-advocate, resolve conflict, and support one another.
Looking Ahead: A Stronger Future for North Florida Schools
As communities continue to understand the importance of student mental health and emotional well-being, the role of leading prevention services for schools in North Florida will only grow more critical. Programs like New Horizons—and professionals like Ms. Carter—are paving the way for stronger, safer, and more supportive learning environments.
Killearn Lakes Elementary School put it best: “Her goal is the same as ours… to help the students become self-advocates, kinder humans, more self-aware, and better able to communicate, cope, and manage their emotions and struggles.”
By keeping prevention professionals in schools and prioritizing access to emotional and behavioral health tools, we invest in student success and the health of our entire community.
For more information about DISC Village’s prevention services and how they can benefit your school or community, contact us today.
