The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office (OCPO) received a $1,000,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY24 STOP School Violence Program (CFDA 16.839). The grant will expand OCPO's Advocating for Safety, Progress, Inclusion, Respect and Empowerment (ASPIRE) initiative to address the critical need for community engagement within Ocean County schools. The funding will support: 1) Innovative trainings for school staff, administrators, and law enforcement on topics such as school resource officer programs, adolescent mental health, and school violence prevention - to be conducted four times per year; and 2) Expansion of the Challenge Day program to all 37 Ocean County high schools and middle schools, which empowers students to reduce bullying, teasing, and violence. The grant also includes a partnership with the 2ndFloor non-profit organization to provide confidential student counseling and support resources. The project aims to decrease violent incidents in Ocean County schools and increase community stakeholder understanding of available resources and prevention procedures.
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