COMMUNITY SHIELD
WHO WE ARE
Since 2002, Decisions, Choices & Options (DCO) has been equipping students with the knowledge, character, and life skills they need to make healthy decisions and build strong futures. What began in one Middle Tennessee school system has grown into a regional ministry serving public and private schools, homeschool groups, after-school programs, and community organizations across Tennessee.
Each school year, DCO reaches more than 18,500 students ages 11–19 through engaging, evidence-based, character-driven programs that encourage healthy relationships, wise decision-making, and hope for the future. By partnering with schools and communities, we empower young people with practical tools that lead to healthier lives, stronger relationships, and lasting success.
DCO’S MISSION IS:
We empower all youth with Sexual Risk Avoidance education by providing medically accurate programs that guide them to optimal health in every area of their lives.
We accomplish this mission through providing medically accurate, science based and primary prevention sexual risk avoidance education (SRAE) programs to youth through public and private school classroom instruction and working with community and faith based organizations to teach parent and youth programs based on the optimal health model.
Youth thrive with knowledge about the decisions they face during adolescence, the future impact of their choices, and the skills to value themselves and their future through positive options leading to success.
WHAT WE TEACH
Decisions, Choices & Options (DCO) provides primary prevention, evidence-based education through the Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) model. Like other successful prevention programs that encourage youth to avoid harmful behaviors, SRA equips students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices and avoid the risks associated with early sexual activity.
Our mission is to empower young people to pursue healthy relationships, achieve their goals, and build a strong foundation for a successful future.
HOW WE SERVE
DCO partners with public and private schools, homeschool associations, after-school programs, and community organizations to deliver age-appropriate, evidence-based curricula that align with state education standards. All DCO Educators are ASCEND-certified Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialists (SRAS), equipping students with practical life skills that promote healthy decision-making. Our programs have been proven effective through educator feedback, student outcomes, and independent evaluation by the University of Tennessee Knoxville (SWORPS). Each year, DCO reaches more than 18,500 students across Tennessee and Alabama.
OUR LEGACY
Joi Wasill founded DCO in 2002. She has led the organization to serve over 220,000 students and youth in Tennessee, Alabama and other states with sexual risk avoidance/abstinence education programs leading them to optimal health and life success. Her career in education began in 1988 after completing the Teacher Education certification courses at Middle Tennessee State University following her Bachelor of Public Administration degree from the University of Mississippi. As a public and private school secondary education teacher with 33 years of experience, Joi understands the nature of the youth population, curriculum and instruction implementation as well as evaluation. She was certified as a Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Specialist (SRAS) by the nation’s top training organization in the field of SRAE and holds a current state of Tennessee teacher license. She is a member of Protect Child Health Coalition (PCHC), has been a workshop leader and speaker at CareNet, the National Council for Adoption, and Teach Them Diligently conferences. Joi was honored to be named as a "Who’s Who in American Educators” distinction in 1991, “Young Educator of the Year” Award by the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce in 1992, “Top 30 Most Influential People in Sumner County” in 2011, and the “Congressional Coalition on Adoption’s ‘Angel in Adoption’ Award” in 2012. She also received the “Impact Award” on behalf of DCO from the White House Chamber of Commerce in 2017.
“I love how DCO opens the eyes and hearts of our teenagers to see that they truly have the power to make great choices, have the life they always dreamed of, and be the person they were created to be."