Allendale county schools (ACS) in southern south carolina will implement and deliver a districtwide program

The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $1,000,000 STOP School Violence Program (CFDA 16.839) grant to Allendale County Public Schools (Allendale, SC) to implement a comprehensive school violence prevention and response initiative. The 3-year project period will enable Allendale County Schools to: (1) expand access to behavioral health services and support staff for students in crisis; (2) promote a positive school climate and enhance safety through site-based climate specialists; (3) institute a districtwide evidence-based anti-bullying program; (4) provide trauma-informed training for school personnel; and (5) conduct a scientific program evaluation. This collaborative effort between the school district, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and university partners aims to prevent and reduce school violence by integrating evidence-based practices and building school capacity to recognize, respond to, and address the needs of students.

This proposal outlines a comprehensive plan in allendale county between ACS, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, community partners, and university scientists to prevent and reduce school violence by implementing a districtwide initiative to improve student safety and promote a positive school climate. Per the objectives of category 2, we will develop a comprehensive and coordinated response to school violence by integrating grant resources with existing personnel to: (1) expand access to behavioral health services, support staff, and school resources for students in crisis by hiring a social worker; (2) promote a positive school climate to increase safety by hiring site-based climate specialists; (3) institute a districtwide evidence-based anti-bullying program to prevent and reduce school violence; (4) provide trauma-informed training for school resource officers, teachers, administrators, and other school staff to recognize trauma behavior and ensure an appropriate response; and (5) conduct a scientific mixed-methods program evaluation to provide feedback and identify improvement opportunities.