F.O.C.U.S
F.O.C.U.S. is an acronym that stands for "Filtering Out Crime United with Students." The F.O.C.U.S. program is taught to 5th graders by the School Resource Deputy that serves full-time at their school. In August of 2000, a team of School Resource Deputies saw the deficiency of an effective anti-drug and violence education program, and in order to meet this need, they created the initial program. The F.O.C.U.S. program has been modified over the years, but in 2020 it had a significant revision to update the material to meet the challenges facing today's youth. As trends in society continue to change, so will the F.O.C.U.S. curriculum. We thank all the dedicated deputies who have served in the School Resource Unit for their contributions to this dynamic program.
F.O.C.U.S. is ten weeks long, with each lesson focusing on different issues, such as the Dangers of Drugs, Peer Pressure, and Social Media Dangers. Our mascot is O.T.I.S. the Owl. O.T.I.S. is also an acronym that stands for Obey Teacher In School. Students are asked to participate in a F.O.C.U.S. essay contest where they compose an essay detailing what they have learned during the ten-lesson program. A winner from each class is chosen, and they receive an O.T.I.S. the Owl F.O.C.U.S. medallion. At the completion of the F.O.C.U.S. program, all students are given a special F.O.C.U.S. t-shirt.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please contact Sgt. Jeff Hunter at (352) 697-2896.
After the Citrus County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputy Program had designed and implemented the F.O.C.U.S. program for the 5th-grade students of Citrus County, the need for Citrus County's youngest citizens to learn basic safety lessons was recognized.
The result was Junior F.O.C.U.S. (Filtering Out Crime United with Students), a program taught to all 1st-grade students in Citrus County. This program consists of six easy-to-follow safety lessons that can be taught at any time throughout the school year.
Youngsters learn about the proper safety procedures to follow when faced with the following situations:
- The Front Door
- The Telephone
- The Kitchen
- What to Do if They Find Something
- How to Respect Each Other
- How to Be Safe With People They Don't Know
For instance, in the lesson entitled "The Kitchen," kids learn about the potential dangers located in the family kitchen. Students are taught to know which areas in the kitchen are most likely to harm them. Even though the kitchen may seem like a fun place, youngsters learn about the obvious and hidden dangers there and what rules to follow.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about Junior F.O.C.U.S., please contact Sgt. Jeff Hunter at (352) 697- 2896.
The Child Lures program is a 10-week program taught to 3rd graders by their elementary School Resource Deputy. The curriculum reinforces the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect, the foundation of all healthy relationships. Abusers are usually someone known to the child, including peers and even family members. Students are taught that crimes like bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse are against the law and need to be reported to a Trusted Adult; All Secrets Can Be Told.
Students learn how to recognize and evade the Child Lures used offline and online to groom and abuse youngsters. Students are taught to use critical thinking skills to practice avoidance and refusal strategies through class discussions and practice scenarios. The earlier we begin to teach children the basics of healthy social relationships and respecting self and others, the sooner we can stop the cycle of abuse, both by peers and adults. In doing so, we help keep children safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
The most prevalent personal safety issues facing children today involve bullying and sexual exploitation, including web-enabled offenses. Fortunately, most of these crimes are preventable with awareness and education.
The Think First & Stay Safe program provides developmentally appropriate instruction on:
- Healthy and respectful relationships (family and social).
- Setting, maintaining, and respecting personal boundaries.
- Developing and maintaining effective communication with trusted adults.
- Recognizing bullying and sexually offending behaviors & learning prevention strategies.
- Gaining awareness of available local and national resources (including for youngsters having thoughts of abusing others).
- Reporting any type of abuse or threat to a youngster's health and safety.
- Reducing the feelings of guilt and blame often experienced by children who have been abused.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please contact Sgt. Jeff Hunter at (352) 697-2896.