Project Grant 15PBJA24GG04351STOP

The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded a $1,000,000 Project Grant under the STOP School Violence Program (CFDA 16.839) to the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) to implement the Safe Horizons program. The Safe Horizons program aims to address the increase in behavioral issues, including fighting/mutual combat, that EPISD schools have experienced since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will be piloted at four of EPISD's most economically disadvantaged and lowest-performing schools, including Bowie High School, Guillen Middle School, Irvin High School, and Magoffin Middle School. Safe Horizons is based on the Building Assets and Reducing Risks (BARR) model and will focus on developing a positive school culture, building relationships, and removing barriers to learning. Key activities include training school personnel, educating students on violence prevention, implementing a technology solution for reporting safety concerns, and hiring dedicated personnel to improve school climate and support students. The program aims to reduce disciplinary actions, increase attendance rates, math and reading scores, and grade-level advancement, as well as improve students' self-regulation skills, trust in teachers and peers, and perception of school climate.