Provides law enforcement officers with training and support grounded in trauma-informed care. Officers gain practical skills to respond effectively in high-stress situations, strengthen communication, and build trust with the communities they serve. Through training, technical assistance, and ongoing collaboration, OCR fosters safer interactions and stronger connections between law enforcement and the people of Texas.
To find out more about Operation Connected Response, please contact our office, or call 512-882-4260.
STEP UP Texas is a project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice that provides trauma-informed and restorative practices training and implementation support to public school districts, law enforcement, and the juvenile justice system. The initiative aims to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in engagement with the juvenile justice system. It is a partnership between The University of Texas at Austin, Williamson County Juvenile Services, and STARRY.
The project focuses on two primary activities:
Providing Training and Technical Assistance: STEP UP Texas offers training in trauma-informed and restorative practices, along with implementation support, to public school districts, law enforcement agencies, and the juvenile justice system.
Convening Local Task Forces: The project engages local stakeholders to assess community strengths, challenges, and opportunities, aiming to recommend interventions and policy changes to address disparities.
STEP UP Texas is a collaborative effort involving:
The University of Texas at Austin
Williamson County Juvenile Services
STARRY
These partners work together to provide training, support, and guidance to organizations participating in the project.
Organizations interested in participating can reach out to the STEP UP Texas team for more information. The project has previously released requests for applications to identify and fund eligible organizations to partner in this work. Contact us to learn more about getting involved with STEP UP Texas.
