Community Outreach Program, FBI

Field Office Highlights - Houston

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Adopt-A-School program was developed to assist socioeconomically disadvantaged students improve academically and to help them develop into good citizens. The mission of the FBI has been historically recognized as a law enforcement organization, but has evolved to include community outreach programs to deter crime, drug abuse, violence, and gang membership. FBI volunteer mentors spend one hour of their time weekly with third and fourth grade Frederick Douglass Elementary School students to assist students to achieve academic and personal goals, and learn more about the FBI through the Junior Special Agent (JSA) Program, a structured program that gives students an inside look at today's FBI. Volunteers make weekly school visits throughout the year. FBI employees have conducted lessons in the following areas: FBI operations, history, and structure; memorization; peer pressure; violence, drug and alcohol abuse; physical fitness and more. FBI mentors stress the value of getting a good education, living healthy and drug free, and abstaining from violent and/or criminal behavior.

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The JSA Program was developed to reach as many at-risk children as possible. Seven FBI employees mentor approximately one hundred and twenty (120) students per week. The value of this program is tremendous. Students anxiously look forward to the weekly visits from FBI employees and do their best to earn a Junior Special Agent badge and credentials. Students are tasked with assignments that require them to improve their memory, awareness, knowledge of FBI operations, and overall school performance.

Students and faculty both look forward to the scheduled visits by FBI employees. Local newspaper and television media have documented FBI employee volunteer efforts at Douglass. In order to maintain the high level of quality instruction provided each school year, the FBI office is canvassed for experienced employees who express a desire to volunteer their time to mentor students. These employees are energetic and committed to working with students.

Douglass school administrators have provided the FBI positive feedback regarding weekly FBI employee visits. Students look forward to visits and some students have even expressed a desire to become FBI employees when they grow up. Douglass school administrators have seen steady improvement in Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test scores over the past three years and have partially attributed this improvement to FBI influence at the school. Since its inception, more than four hundred Douglass elementary school students have completed the Junior Special Agent program lessons and have earned their Junior Special Agent badges and credentials.

Photograph of the Wally Grimes Public Service Award.
On May 3, 2000, the JSA of the Houston Division received
the Wally Grimes Public Service Award.

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