$43 Million in Federal Money Now Available For Evidence-Based Violence and Suicide Prevention Programs
NEWTOWN, CT — The federal government has opened the application process for funding violence and suicide prevention training for schools, as mandated by the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act.
The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance request for proposal encourages states, school districts, and tribal organizations to apply for funding to bring evidence-based violence prevention programs into more middle and high schools nationwide. The application period is only open until June 21, so states and districts must act fast to secure one of these grants. The money is part of an overall $135 million appropriation for the STOP Act approved by Congress as part of the omnibus bill.
The funding couldn’t come at a better time, as youth violence and suicide rates continue to increase at alarming rates. Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for children and young adults under the age of 18.
“This money can go a long way to help school districts fight the epidemic of suicide and youth violence that is impacting schools nationwide,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. “Prevention programs are proven to save lives. And these grants ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to school safety. All students have the right to feel safe in their schools, homes, and communities.”
The STOP School Violence Act builds off of the research and lessons learned from the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy and other school shootings to scale proven, evidence-based early intervention programming to prevent future shootings, suicides, and other forms of school violence. Sandy Hook Promise proudly worked with Republicans and Democrats to write and pass the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 that continues to fund training for millions of students and adults to “know the signs” of violence and how to act to prevent it.
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About the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund:
The Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to protecting all children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. The SHP Action Fund advances a holistic policy platform that promotes gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education. The organization works at the state and federal levels to pass nonpartisan legislation through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization. It is part of Sandy Hook Promise, founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Media Contact:
Aimee Thunberg | [email protected] | 646-761-5579