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"Safe Schools/Healthy Students"
Riverside, California
| Partners: | Riverside Unified School District Riverside County Mental Health Department Riverside Police Department | |
Located close to Los Angeles and the Mexican border, the city of Riverside experienced population growth of 50% between 1980 and 1998. Its current population of 255,000 includes a large proportion of Spanish-speaking families. Ethnic minorities represent almost 40% of the population, with 26.5% Hispanics, 7% African Americans, 4.9% Asians, 0.9% Native Americans and 0.2% Other. High rates of youth crime and violence have come with the population growth and associated stressors. There are 81 known gangs in Riverside and gang membership increased 300% from 1991 to 1996. Five schools in particular - Highland Elementary, Sierra Middle, John W. North High, Ramona High and Lincoln High - have been the most adversely affected. These five targeted schools represent 6,689 students, out of a total district enrollment of 35,407. The schools have consistently higher rates than the district average of violent incidents, suspensions/expulsions, and students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The schools also have comparatively high numbers of free and reduced cost lunch recipients.
Beside the three core partners, other collaborative partners include the Riverside County Probation Department and the University of California, Riverside. The group's goals are to enhance school-community partnerships, conduct evidence-based activities to promote positive mental health and prevent violence and other problem behaviors, and to provide a core set of services for all students.
The Riverside Unified School District will a establish full-service Wellness Center at each of the five targeted schools. A Wellness Team of professionals, including teachers, mental health counselors, and probation and police officers will coordinate a full menu of services. A family outreach program will be developed for parents/caregivers of infants and toddlers to increase the child's cognitive skills, well-being, and emotional and social readiness for school. The Wellness Center will also be host to parent information courses and offer an adolescent drug and alcohol diversion program. Expanded support services will target families who have been victims of, or have witnessed, violence. Enhanced mental health services for families will be available through the Centers; and case management systems will ensure that those services are carefully coordinated. The Center's hours (open until 7:00 p.m.) allow for recreational and developmental after-school activities. Along with student and family support services, additional violence and drug prevention curricula will be introduced. Law enforcement (funded by the U.S. Department of Justice's COPS Office) will serve as an important component of the site-based Wellness Teams, participating in overall prevention, counseling, family education, community presentation, mentoring, individual case management, and school security.
A team of researchers from the Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies at the University of California, Riverside, will evaluate the program using standardized methods and control groups.
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[San Luis Obispo, CA]