Pals of south florida seek to make a difference through its stop school violence initiative of training, mentorship, and mental health awareness in five (5) south florida communities with the…

Pals of south florida seek to make a difference through its stop school violence initiative of training, mentorship, and mental health awareness in five (5) south florida communities with the participation of five (5) local chapters and police departments: davie PAL, key west PAL, miami beach PAL, and north miami and north miami beach police departments. The primary activities associated with this proposal consist of implementing positive action and kindergarten COP curriculums across the TRI-county area in grades k-12, establishing a mental health component for the schools and students as a vital resource along with a ZEN DEN, peer/student mentoring as well as having a "stop the violence summit". Through the implementation of this program, we desire to increase students', school staff, and law enforcement's knowledge of school violence and aversion tactics as well as provide access to mental health and wellness coping strategies and services for the students. Lastly, develop a mental health counseling referral network and identify resources within the schools. The intended beneficiaries of this proposal will be 2,500 students across the broward, miami-dade, and monroe counties. Pals of south florida are dedicated, ready, and willing to put a stop to school violence.