Virtual Summits

KEYS (Knowledge Empowers Youth Safety) Groups are about creating safe and healthy schools through youth leadership and youth-adult partnerships. Student members aren't just participants, but they are planners, organizers, voices, and decision makers to help their friends and school thrive. Adult members are allies providing guidance, training, and support.

For questions about KEYS Groups or the Youth School Safety Program, contact staff at txssc_yss@txstate.edu or call 512-245-8082.

Join the movement amplifying the youth voice creating safe and healthy Texas schools!

What Do KEYS Groups Do?

  • Lead projects, campaigns, presentations, meetings, and events.
  • Educate peers about teen mental health, substance use prevention, violence prevention, emergency preparedness, and building connectedness and positive social norms among peers.
  • Empower peers to share perspectives on school safety issues and to live a healthy, positive life.
  • Connect peers and school staff with each other to share ideas, resources, and support.
  • Advocate for policies and practices that impact student safety on campus.

How to Join

Whether you're a student ready to lead, an existing student group wanting to do more for your campus, or a school looking to start a KEYS Group, getting connected to the movement is easy!

  1. Register yourself and your group.
  2. Attend an upcoming virtual summit or watch a previous summit.
  3. Start planning educational projects and request free School Safety Kits.
  4. Use all the free resources provided by the Youth School Safety Program.
Join Today!

Membership

KEYS Groups are for students in grades 6-12. Membership is FREE and includes:

  • Access to School Safety Kits.
  • Access to free training and educational materials.
  • Opportunities to participate in advocacy activities.
  • Opportunities to be featured in the Texas School Safety Center's newsletter and social media.
  • An opportunity to apply to the Texas School Safety Center's Spotlight Award.
  • An opportunity to receive scholarships to attend the Say What! Texas Tobacco-Free Conference.
  • Technical assistance and support from program staff.