$8.5 mil to enhance school safety
Kyrene schools have been awarded a grant potentially totaling $8.5 million from the U.S. Justice Department and the Department of Education, Health and Human Services.
The 3-year, discretionary grant will provide financial resources to offer Kyrene students school-based services designed to reduce violent behavior and substance abuse, according to District spokeswoman Karin Crider.
Services will include, but are not limited to, academic intervention programs, middle school after school programs, alternative-to-in-school-suspension programs, alternative school for at-risk students, bully prevention and character education staff training.
Also funded will be counseling services, a district “mini-town” program, an early childhood education program, healthy families program and safety enhancements for school facilities.
The funding will address six elements of a comprehensive plan:
a safe environment, alcohol and other drug and violence prevention and early intervention programs, school and community mental health preventive and treatment intervention services, early childhood psychosocial and emotional development programs, education reform and safe school policies.
Goals of the grant, as defined in the district’s application, include:
• Providing students, schools and communities enhanced comprehensive educational, mental health and law enforcement services that promote healthy childhood development and prevent violence and drug/alcohol abuse.
• Empowering the community and its stakeholders to provide a youth development approach in its service delivery systems that is built on an asset rather than a deficit model.
• Restoring protective factors within the community to promote healthy child and youth development.
• Implementing effective strategies for family and community change and empowerment.