A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

"Safe Schools/Healthy Students"
Springfield, Massachusetts

Partners:

Springfield Public Schools Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Springfield Police Department

Springfield, Massachusetts is an ethnically diverse community of 149,948 residents with a school district serving 26,297 students. African Americans and Hispanics constitute the largest minority groups in Springfield at 18.1% and 16.9%, respectively. The student population in the public schools is 72% minority. The poverty rate in Springfield is 17.7% and Springfield ranks 341 out of 354 towns and cities in Massachusetts for median household income. In 1998-1999, 77% of Springfield students received free or reduced cost meals.

In addition to the 3 primary partners, other agencies will collaborate to promote healthy childhood development and prevent violence and drug abuse. These agencies include the Springfield City mayor, Springfield Cares Partnership, Massachusetts Health and Human Services Department, and the Hampden County District Attorney's office.

The proposed strategy represents a comprehensive network of interrelated plans, processes, and programs. Expanded programs and strategies incorporated in the strategy-mentoring, safe schools enhancements, safe places expansions, multidisciplinary training, and capacity-building activities-are evidence-based approaches that are recommended and supported by social science research. Early childhood psychosocial and emotional development programs will serve all high-risk families with young children and all high-risk mothers prior to the birth of a child. Physical and mental health services, including parenting skills training, family support opportunities, crisis intervention, and integrated therapy to caregivers and teachers, will address the social and emotional needs of children. Families and the community at large will participate in the design and delivery of alcohol and other drugs and violence prevention and early intervention programs. Alternatives to substance abuse and violence are proposed through social and recreational activities and mentoring. Efforts to enforce existing laws and regulations and to change individual, group, and community attitudes will be undertaken. School and community mental health preventive and treatment services will consist of screening and assessment in the school setting; school-based mental health prevention and early intervention services for at-risk students and their families; referral and follow-up with local mental health agencies; training and consultation to school personnel; and support services to families. Safe school policies have been developed through agreements among the public schools, the police department, the District Attorney's Office, and the Juvenile Court. Educational reform will consist of two training and development efforts in the public schools designed both to address bullying, harassment, and violence, and to promote early identification and strategic intervention strategies aimed at student problem behaviors. A safe school environment will be accomplished by school resource officers, school facility design, and school security measures.

The evaluation plan will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team from the Research and Evaluation Group of the University of Massachusetts' Donahue Institute.

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