Dougherty County School System launches “DOCO Tips” app

ALBANY, Ga. – School’s back in session, and for the Dougherty County School System, they’re rolling our a new app to help out students, parents, and teachers alike.

The new app in question is called “DOCO Tips”

And, as Dougherty Superintendent, Kenneth Dyer told us Wednesday, it’s a resource open to everyone in the school system.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance the way we keep our students safe and we provide for our students and our employees. And this is just another tool in the toolbox that students can use to help ensure they can communicate with us about their concerns for themselves or concerns for their peers,” said Superintendent Kenneth Dyer, DCSS.

The school system had previously had a tip-line app for students to reach out but with one major flaw…

It was one way communication.

Dyer says that the new app will help to rectify previous problems being a two-way system instead.

“They can send an anonymous tip, but we can also send information back to get clarity on something, without identifying who the person is so we can communicate two ways, without ever knowing who the person is. And that’s important because sometimes people want to say something, but they’re concerned about their identity being found out,” said Dyer.

But, it’s not just there for the students and their parents.

The app can also be used by the teachers.

With the goal being that no one should have to be afraid about speaking up.

“This gives them that level of safety and security by being anonymous and can still give information that can help us… The new “DOCO Tips” app is just the latest in a series of moves made by the Dougherty County School System to address the mental health of the student body,” said Dyer.

“Anything that a student is concerned about, whether they’re in a situation where they feel overwhelmed or they don’t know how to reach out for help, they can put this information in. We also always have 9-8-8, the suicide hotline. We have our school-based mental health center that we have available,” said Dyer.

As the school system continues their push for stronger mental health resources throughout Dougherty county, they hope that students, parents, and faculty will take advantage of the new app, to make sure the schools are as safe as they can be.

Parents interested can download “DOCO Tips” app through the school system’s website.

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doco-tips/id6453167827

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citizenobserver.docotips

Brian Roche reporting.

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