Human Services News

From Education Newsfeed:

More than $74 million in grants have been awarded to 27 states as part of a joint effort by the U.S. departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice to support schools in creating safe learning environments that promote healthy childhood development and prevent youth violence and drug use.

The highly competitive grant program, known as the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, attracted 355 applications nationally.

Early childhood social and emotional learning programs.

"When children go to school in safe, healthy environments, they can thrive and learn," said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.

"These grants will provide students with enhanced access to services and programs that will help them avoid harmful activities and achieve their potential."

"Results from the first national cross-site evaluation of the Safe Schools, Healthy Students Initiative indicate that this program works," said Terry Cline, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which manages the program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"Elementary school teachers reported a significant reduction in classroom bullying and fighting and a 21 percent reduction in feeling threatened by a student.

Middle and high schools students indicated significantly lower rates of use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, as well as reduced rates of violence and higher rates of feeling safer at school."

The Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative draws on the best practices of education, juvenile justice, law enforcement and mental health systems to provide integrated resources for prevention and early intervention services for children and youth.

Read more from this post.