School emergency response to violence (project serv)

Rutherford County Schools received a $139,080 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the School Safety National Activities program (CFDA 84.184) for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. This award supports the school district's efforts to improve student safety and well-being through the development and delivery of school-based mental health services and emergency response initiatives. The funding enables Rutherford County Schools to enhance mental health service capacity, support violence prevention efforts, and strengthen emergency preparedness protocols across its educational institutions serving students in Forest City, North Carolina.

The School Safety National Activities program prioritizes increasing access to qualified mental health professionals in school settings and creating comprehensive approaches to address student safety challenges, including mental health issues and violence prevention. Through this grant, Rutherford County Schools can expand its capacity to provide targeted mental health support services, contribute to addressing regional needs in a rural educational setting, and support early intervention and intensive mental health service delivery for its student population.