UPCOMING BULLYING PREVENTION GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Online Application will be released on or before September 15, 2010
The Center for Safe Schools (CSS) through a unique partnership with the Highmark Foundation, its Healthy High 5 Initiative, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is pleased to announce an upcoming grant opportunity for schools that are interested in implementing the research-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP).
An online application process will be launched in early September and grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.
Grants will be targeted to:
- Elementary, middle or junior high schools
- Public or private schools
- Schools that have not implemented the Olweus program in the past or that implemented the OBPP prior to 2006
- Schools whose districts are located partly or wholly within a Highmark service region*.
- Schools within districts that have not participated in the Highmark Foundation funded HALT! or PA CARES bullying prevention initiatives.
To apply:
- Check this site often for further announcements. The online application will be released on or before September 15, 2010.
- Access the online Olweus Readiness Assessment Tool available on the Olweus website.
- Prepare for the application process by completing the online Preventing School Violence Readiness Series available at http://www.safeschools.info/pacares/. Completion of this series by a member of the school’s leadership or faculty is a precondition of application.
*Counties located within the Highmark service region include: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, York.
New Report Released on Online Safety
On June 4, 2010, the Federal Online Safety and Technology Working Group (OSTWG) released its final report, Youth Safety on a Living Internet. This report offers a comprehensive set of recommendations on internet safety education, as well as other related topics. Importantly, OSTWG notes that “one size fits all” strategies to internet education are apt to be ineffective. Instead, the report recommends a “layered approach” to internet safety education that provides levels of education/support akin to the three-tier Response to Intervention (RTI) model.
Click here to access the full report and executive summary.
Third Thursday Series of Live, Online Sessions
Advancing and sustaining bullying prevention in Pennsylvania requires attention to the needs that exist in schools and access to audiences of educators who are positioned to advance the work. The Third Thursdays online coaching model is designed to reach educators across the Commonwealth at a consistent time each month. It provides a combination of education on high interest/relevance bullying prevention topics, as well as opportunities for structured problem-solving and live coaching related to the OBPP model.
Click here to review recorded bullying prevention online sessions.
Bullying Prevention Research Briefs
The Center for Schools and Communities is pleased to announce the publication of a series of briefs that describe the Center for Safe School's bullying prevention initiative PA CARES and what is being learned through evaluation of the initiative. PA CARES is an implementation project that has brought the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) to over 88 schools in Pennsylvania. Current briefs focus on describing the initiative, the nature of bullying in Pennsylvania schools and what is being learned through early evaluations of program fidelity. Future research briefs will address program effects, as they relate to key implementation variables.
PA CARES is funded by the Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation.
RB1: Understanding Implementation of OBPP: The first in a series of Research Briefs explores the nature of teachers’ understanding of, and commitment to, a bullying prevention program.
OBPP in the News
Recently, National Public Radio's Morning Edition featured a story on the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Across Pennsylvania, many schools are currently engaged in implementing this research-based program. To read the Morning Edition story, please click here.
Highlights of the 2010 Supporting Students to Success - Student Services Symposium
On Monday, May 17, 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in partnership with the Center for Schools and Communities, sponsored a one-day symposium entitled "Supporting Students to Success". This was the fifth annual event to support Pennsylvania’s schools in the development of effective strategies to help students reach their educational and career goals.
The 2010 symposium focused on components integral to developing resilience to enable each student to grow into an inspired, productive, fulfilled life-long learner and to become a responsible citizen. The sessions, presented by national, state and local experts, explored best practices.
For video and audio highlights as well as slides and handouts from selected sessions, click here.
Online Bullying Prevention Course: “The ABCS of Bullying”
A new course offered by SAMHSA, examines the causes and effects of bullying, prevention techniques and programs, screening, treatment options and legal/ethical issues surrounding bullying. An important feature of this course is the use of case studies to teach and engage learners in reflecting on this important topic. The course is appropriate for educators, counselors and social workers who serve children and adolescents. Continuing Educations Units (CEUs) are available for these groups.
For more information or to access the course, click here.
Bullying and Cyber-Bullying Featured in Latest Issue of The Challenge Newsletter
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools dedicated its most recent edition of The Challenge Newsletter to bullying and cyber-bullying, including the following topic areas: The School Bully in Cyberspace; Dr. Susan Limber Discusses Bullying in The Digital Age; What Can Schools Do About Cyber Bullying?; Empowering Students to Speak Up About Cyber Bullying; and Lawmakers Help Educators Take Aim at Cyber Bullying. The newsletter is found online and is available for download at: http://www.thechallenge.org/index.htm.
Readiness Series to Implement Comprehensive School Violence Programs
The Center for Safe Schools, through funding provided by Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation, announces the availability of the Readiness Series to Implement Comprehensive School Violence Programs online course.
This course has been developed to provide individuals, school teams and districts with an overview of research findings and tools to help determine readiness for successful implementation and sustainability of comprehensive violence prevention programs. Examining needs, organizational structures and capacities, existing policies, overall climate and existing resources are all essential steps to be taken prior to selecting a systems-wide approach to improving school climate. Upon completion of this series, users will have a more in depth understanding of the necessity of attending to elements of readiness as part of ongoing school safety planning and youth violence prevention programming.
The Readiness Series is relevant to potential grant applicants, particularly those who may wish to apply for bullying prevention funding as part of the PA CARES initiative. The PA CARES (Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and Environment for Success) initiative, funded by the Highmark Foundation’s Healthy High 5 Initiative, offers schools within Highmark service regions the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). Completion of the Readiness Series is a requirement of the PA CARES application process. A grant announcement for PA CARES Cohort 3 is expected to be released in late September 2009. School representatives are encouraged to complete the Readiness Series in advance of the application process.
The Readiness Series can be accessed by clicking here.
New Evaluation Shows Colorado Trust Initiative Reduces Bullying Over Time
Positive adult-student relationships build trust, reduce bullying and improve learning.
Denver, CO - An independent evaluation of The Colorado Trust's three-year, $9 million statewide Bullying Prevention Initiative shows that bullying in participating schools and community-based organizations across Colorado was prevalent during the initiative's first year - particularly in middle schools - but declined over the three-year period.
Bullying decreased when adults and students were willing to intervene, treat each other fairly and show they care. Positive relationships among adults and students and a culture of trust and fairness had a direct impact on reducing bullying.
The findings also show an association between bullying and academic achievement. Schools with less bullying had higher scores on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) in reading, writing and math combined during the first two years of the initiative.
Download the study now (PDF format)
Center for Safe Schools receives grant from Highmark Healthy High Five
The Highmark Foundation, through its Highmark Healthy High 5 initiative, recently announced a $2.3 million grant and a new partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Center for Safe Schools in an effort to address the issue of bullying. To learn more, read the full press release.
Cyber-bullying Addressed In Pennsylvania's Newest Internet Safety Resource
In this fast changing world, schools and communities throughout the Commonwealth are challenged with the task of providing continuing education on the safe and responsible use of all technology. To support schools and communities with their efforts, the Center for Safe Schools is pleased to announce the release of the “Protecting Kids Online” educational resource. Produced in Pennsylvania, this 22 minute Internet safety video speaks to parents and caregivers on topics from understanding the serious repercussion of cyber-bullying to learning how to safeguard our children from online predators. A Protecting Kids Online DVD and User Guide were recently mailed to all of Pennsylvania’s elementary and middle public school principals, superintendents, Intermediate Units and charter schools.
This new educational video is part of the Protecting Kids Online (PKO) Internet safety initiative sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania State Police and coordinated by the Center for Safe Schools. Designed for both adult audiences and elementary, middle and high school audiences, PKO presentations address all the current Internet topics including protecting personal information, cyber-bullying, social networking sites and online predators.
Over 500 Pennsylvania law enforcement officers have received certification as PKO instructors. To determine an officer’s availability to present this program in your school or community, visit www.safeschools.info or www.center-school.org/pko. For more information about the Protecting Kids Online initiative contact Don Smith, Safe Schools Coordinator at 717-763-1661, ext. 103 or at: dsmith@csc.csiu.org
Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Certified Trainers
Members of the Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Network have earned certification in the Olweus model and receive ongoing professional development on “best practices” in the field. The Olweus Bullying Prevention program is one of 11 Blueprints for Violence Prevention programs which meet the strict scientific standard of program effectiveness. The Olweus program includes school, classroom and individual components, a school-wide survey, established rules against bullying behavior and intervention strategies for bullies, bystanders and victims.
The implementation of the Olweus program begins with a certified trainer training a bullying prevention committee at your school. A student is survey is utilized to identify and address the bullying behavior occurring in the school building. Strategies for prevention and intervention are then developed in response to the identified needs. The trainer supports the committee as they implement the 3 components of this bullying prevention model. This comprehensive approach to bullying prevention involves the faculty, staff, student population and requires a strong commitment from administration and parent involvement.
To locate a trainer, please click on the Locate a Trainer link.
For further information on bullying prevention services, availability and costs, please contact a member of the Network or the Center for Schools and Communities.
For assistance, please contact Stacie Molnar-Main, Special Projects Consultant, Center for Safe Schools at 717-763-1661 ext. 128 or by e-mail at: smolnar-main@csc.csiu.org.