If you suspect a child is being abused, report it to:
- 1-800-252-5400
- Texas Abuse Hotline (online, 24 hour availability)
- Human Trafficking:
- Human Trafficking Hotline (online)
- 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733
Responsive Services
Responsive Services is a component of the Guidance and Counseling Department that addresses immediate concerns of students through prevention and intervention. Counselors work with parents, staff and the community to support PreK-12 students.
Responsive Services counselors work specifically with students whose personal circumstances, mental health, or crises interfere with a healthy academic and personal/social development. Students may face family issues, loss, trauma, abuse, anxiety, substance abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, or a multitude of other issues and may benefit from counseling services.
Responsive Services counselors provide a range of services including individual counseling, small group counseling and referrals to outside agencies and support systems.
Additionally, counselors and social workers develop and implement programs, trainings and initiatives to educate and support the district and community and spread the message: #YouMatter.
Monthly training topics
| Month | Topic |
|---|---|
| August | Reporting Child Abuse |
| September | Suicide Awareness and Prevention |
| October | Drug/Alcohol Prevention |
| November | Grief Support |
| December | Anti-Bullying/Cyberbullying |
| January | Human Trafficking Awareness |
| February | Teen Dating Violence and Kindness |
| March | Adolescent Self Injury Awareness |
| April | Child Abuse Prevention |
| May | Summer is Hot; Counseling is Cool |
| June | Home Safety |
Responsive Services team
The Responsive Services Team is made up of licensed mental health professionals that specialize in diverse populations, trauma and crisis. Our team provides:
- crisis intervention
- individual counseling
- small group counseling
- referrals
- community programs
- training
- mental health awareness
See our Responsive Services Virtual Office.
Our team
| Name | Contact |
|---|---|
| Lisa Olsen, Ed.D., LMSW (admin) | lrolsen@garlandisd.net |
| Litza Bodden, LPC | lbodden@garlandisd.net |
| Jim Foster, CSC | WJFoster@garlandisd.net |
| DeVonte Hardy, LMSW | DHardy@garlandisd.net |
| Emma Johnson, LCSW | eljohnson@garlandisd.net |
| Rhonda Johnson, LPC | RJohnson2@garlandisd.net |
| Cyrus Lightsey, LMSW | clightsey@garlandisd.net |
| Kamille Lucas, LMSW | KLucas@garlandisd.net |
| Larry McEntire, LPC | LMcEntire@garlandisd.net |
| Paul Moore, LPC | pmoore@garlandisd.net |
| Lisa Whatley, CSC | LMWhatle@garlandisd.net |
| Janelle Nash White, LPC | jnashwhite@garlandisd.net |
| Danny Medina-Rivera, PhD., LPC | dmedinarivera@garlandisd.net |
Child abuse
It is Texas law that anyone who suspects abuse is happening must report it to the DFPS. School staff and educators even more so must be alert and willing to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. Those who report are protected by the law, however, those who do not can be held liable.
We've collected information to help you in identifying and reporting child abuse:
- Tips on recognizing physical abuse (Texas DFPS website)
- Human trafficking and migrant smuggling
- Free training on abuse signs/prevention/reporting requirements
- Child abuse toolkit prevention and awareness toolkit
- Reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation flyer
- No, Go, Tell poster (English)
- No, Go, Tell poster (Spanish)
Report child abuse
GISD is a grief-sensitive district
We are committed to helping provide a supportive environment for students who are experiencing grief. All of our campuses have been certified as "Grief Senstivitve Schools". Visit grievingstudents.org for resources and to learn more about handling grief.
