Safe Schools/Healthy Students in Albemarle County and Charlottesville, Virginia

In 2009, a Charlottesville/Albemarle County community coalition received a sizable federal grant to implement and evaluate school-based initiatives to prevent bullying, school violence, and alcohol and drug use. While student surveys and prevention activities occur primarily at school, the grant was written and is overseen by a broad-based community management team including members of the city and county police departments, departments of social services, court service units, school administrative offices, and community services board.

Core elements of the program include:

• school-based family resource and prevention workers
• a school climate survey administered twice a year to middle and high school students
• professional training for youth-serving agencies and professionals
• ongoing outcome monitoring and evaluation

Professional development events include training for the larger community in restorative practices and, for educators, the responsive classroom.