Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Receives Federal Grant to Prevent School Violence

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Offices of Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health announced they have been awarded a second STOP School Violence Program grant from the US Bureau of Justice Assistance. This award will allow the County to build upon its successful violence reduction programs already being delivered in Montgomery County public schools.

The STOP School Violence Grant Program is designed to improve K-12 school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence and ensure a positive school climate.

Montgomery County HHS has designed the program to:

1.         Educate students with the skills they need to prevent violence/bullying,

2.         Equip teachers with tools to effectively and efficiently manage the classroom dynamic in order to prevent violence and youth bullying,

3.         Provide opportunities for partner school districts to further enhance their overall school safety strategy through the integration of data, and

4.         Train teachers to foster a positive school community through professional development.

“The Office of Drug and Alcohol is fortunate to have such strong partnerships with Montgomery County School Districts. These relationships have propelled forward a number of innovative projects that will only benefit the larger community,” stated Linda Moore-Singleton, Administrator for the Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol.

Pam Howard, Administrator for the Montgomery County Office of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Early Intervention further adds, “Now is the time, more than ever, to invest resources in supporting school-aged youth and making every effort to promote safe, trauma-informed spaces for their growth. HHS is pleased to be able to offer districts opportunities to expand their prevention efforts.”

The 2021 BJA STOP Violence Program grant is a three-year grant for approximately one million dollars. Montgomery County received its first BJA STOP School Violence Program grant in 2018, with the resources allocated to addressing school violence as a preventable public health issue.

Eight school districts that applied to participate in the 2018 BJA STOP Violence Program grant will continue to access BJA grant-funded activities. The grant team is in the initial planning phases and expects all grant-funded activities to begin in the 2022-23 school year.