October 2006
School Violence
In light of the recent school shootings, our attention has turned to the safety of our children at school. Not surprisingly, resources on school violence abound. One outstanding resource is in North Carolina. It is the Center for the Prevention of School Violence (http://www.ncdjjdp.org/cpsv/). Located in the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (http://www.juvjus.state.nc.us/), the Center
serves as a resource center and "think tank" for efforts that promote safer schools and foster positive youth development. The Center's efforts in support of safer schools are directed at understanding the problems of school violence and developing solutions to them. The Center focuses on ensuring that schools function so that every student who attends does so in environments that are safe and secure, free of fear and conducive to learning. Positive youth development efforts are emphasized as the Center focuses beyond the school into the community and works in support of youth-serving programs and agencies which target the development of attitudes, behaviors, and conditions that enable youth to grow and become productive members of their communities.”
The Center [also] provides information and technical assistance to any and all stakeholders involved with safe schools and youth development. Information provision occurs via presentations, meetings, mailings, phone, mail and email responses, Center-generated materials, and this web site. Technical assistance includes provision of workshops, trainings, and facilitations, and efforts in the areas of program development, maintenance, research, and evaluation.
On the Center’s website is the Critical Incidence Response Kit (http://www.ncdjjdp.org/cpsv/cirk/cirk.htm) with supporting information. Ten School Safety Tips (http://www.ncdjjdp.org/school_safety_tips.pdf) can also be found on the website.
Contact Billy Lassiter, Manager, at william.lassiter@ncmail.net or 1-800-299-6054 regarding onsite training and technical assistance.
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A very helpful resource in preventing school violence is the Center for Mental Health in Schools (http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/). Its focus is on prevention of school violence by creating a school in which all students feel safe, not only physically, but just as importantly, psychologically and emotionally. A recent response in the Mental Health in Schools Practitioner Listserv addresses that issue. To get to school violence resources on the website (http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/), click on Center Materials in the left sidebar on the home page. Scroll down to III. Psychosocial and Mental Health Concerns. In the list that follows, click on Violence Prevention.
“Mental Health in Schools Practitioner Listserv”
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Several online resources provide helpful information. They are:
American School Counselor Association: School Shooting Resource Page (http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=496)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD): School Safety (Click on Explore and Resources in the right sidebar.) (http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.b12eed04b6aa1cfddeb3ffdb62108a0c/)
National Association of School Psychology: NASP Crisis Resources (http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/crisismain.html)
N. C. Department of Public Instruction, Division of Curriculum and School Reform Services: Safe Schools (http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/schoolimprovement/alternative/safeschools/)
National School Safety Center: “What Can We Learn From Recent Events” and Free Resources (in the left sidebar) (http://www.schoolsafety.us/)
Public School Parents’ Network: Safety at School (http://www.psparents.net/StudentSafety.htm)
U. S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools: Emergency Planning (http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/index.html)