Onondaga County Receives Federal STOP School Violence Prevention & Mental Health Training Program Grant
Award totals $246,800 to be paid out over three years
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney announced today that Onondaga County is one of the recipients of the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance: STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program, grants. The award, in the amount of $246,800, will be paid out over the next three years.
The Onondaga County STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program will build upon current efforts in local school districts to enhance school violence prevention efforts, as well as the ability of schools to respond to mental health related crises at the school site.
County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, “We are grateful to the Bureau of Justice for this award, which will serve to bolster our work in ensuring the safety and mental wellness of our community’s children.”
District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick said, “This will allow us to continue to implement the recommendations of our School Safety Task Force.”
Sheriff Gene Conway said, “Protecting the children in our community is one of our highest priorities. This grant will help us build upon the progress made by the School Safety Task Force as we work to ensure our schools remains safe places for our children.”
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will oversee the program which will provide violence prevention and mental health related training for school staff, as well as programs for students in the classroom, using evidence-based practices. These practices include Youth Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Focused Skill Development, and Positive Action. This work will also support schools in meeting the recently enacted NYS Department of Education requirements for mental health literacy.
The work will be completed alongside community partner agencies and local school districts. This will contribute to the development of a comprehensive continuum of services and supports that addresses the prevention of school violence and effective response to mental health crises among students in the school setting. This program will also complement the work taking place as a result of the Onondaga County School Safety Task Force