GISD rebrands specialized student programs to better reflect their mission

FLINT, Michigan — The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) has unveiled new names and refreshed identities for two of its specialized student programs, underscoring the district’s commitment to care, support, and individualized instruction.

Project CHOICE is now RIISE – Readiness, Inclusive, Individual, and Supported Education. Day Treatment has been reintroduced as RESET – Regulation, Emotional Support, Engagement, and Transformation.

“These updates reflect our continued commitment to creating inclusive, emotionally supportive, and skill-building environments for our students,” said Angie Grindel, Assistant Principal of the RIISE and RESET programs, in a press release. “The new names capture both the heart and the purpose of what we do every day.”

RIISE (formerly Project CHOICE) serves students across Genesee County by allowing them to attend school in their local districts alongside nondisabled peers. Available at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, the program focuses on inclusion while providing students with tailored support to ensure their academic and social success.

RESET (formerly Day Treatment) integrates therapeutic mental health services directly with academic instruction in a highly supportive setting. Designed for students with serious emotional disturbances, the program offers on-site therapy, daily counseling, and personalized learning plans. The ultimate goal is to help students stabilize, build skills, and transition into less-restrictive environments where they can thrive.

While the programs themselves remain unchanged, GISD leaders say the rebranding helps highlight the impact and purpose of the work being done. The shift is also part of a broader initiative to align GISD’s services with the evolving needs of students and families.

By renaming the programs, district leaders hope families and the community will better understand the values driving these initiatives: readiness, inclusion, emotional support, and transformation.

GISD emphasizes that the renaming does not signal a change in quality or standards, but rather an opportunity to better communicate the strengths of the programs. Both RIISE and RESET reflect the district’s mission of meeting students where they are and providing individualized pathways to growth.

Families and community members interested in learning more about RIISE, RESET, or other GISD programs, visit: geneseeisd.org.