School emergency response to violence (project serv)

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded Ashe County School District a $762,730 Project Grant under the School Safety National Activities program (CFDA 84.184) on May 5, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2026. This School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) grant supports the district's efforts to enhance student safety and mental health services in a rural North Carolina setting. The funding enables the district to implement comprehensive initiatives designed to improve emergency preparedness and violence prevention while expanding access to qualified mental health professionals within educational settings.

As part of its broader commitment to school safety and student well-being, Ashe County School District will leverage this award to strengthen mental health service delivery and integrate evidence-based safety protocols across its schools. The grant aligns with the federal program's primary objective to improve students' safety and well-being during and after the school day, addressing critical gaps in mental health professional availability that are particularly acute in rural educational agencies. The district's track record of managing federal education funding and its existing partnerships with regional institutions position it to effectively implement these safety and mental health enhancement initiatives.