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"Safe Schools/Healthy Students"
Norfolk/Portsmouth, Virginia
| Partners: | Norfolk Public Schools Norfolk & Portsmouth Department of Public Health Norfolk & Portsmouth Police Departments | |
Norfolk and Portsmouth are in the tidewater area of Virginia. In Norfolk, 15% of the families are at or below the poverty level, with 63% of students receiving free or reduced cost meals. In Portsmouth, 19% of families are at or below the poverty level, with 56% of students receiving free or reduced cost meals. Youth in the two cities commit 25-31% of all violent crimes and 26% of all homicides committed by youth statewide. This project will serve 36,000 students in the Norfolk school district (32% are non-Hispanic white and 64% are African American) and 17,500 students (31% non-Hispanic white and 68% African American) in Portsmouth.
Other collaborating agencies include Norfolk and Portsmouth Community Services Boards; Norfolk and Portsmouth Court Services Units; Norfolk and Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authorities; Norfolk and Portsmouth Social Services Department; The Hunton YMCA; the Southside Boys and Girls Club; Making a Difference Foundation; Southampton Roads Alliance for Youth; Volunteer Hampton Roads; and Friends of the Juvenile Courts.
The project proposes a community-wide approach to create a safe school environment, free of alcohol and drugs and of violence. Home visits by nurses, clinical therapists and outreach workers will assess the dental, nutritional, housing, educational, employment, counseling and mental health services available to families with young children at risk for neglect. Existing family-focused programs for first-time parents at risk for abuse or neglect or with medically high-risk pregnancies will be expanded. An assessment of bullying in all schools will be used to design individual interventions for children identified as bullies or as victims of bullying. Staff members will be trained to handle disruptive or violent incidents with maximum security. A conference on Preventing/Reducing Youth Violence Activity will be held each grant period. Safety policies in both school systems will be reviewed to provide recommendations on changes to school administrators and board members. Student and community forums will be held on school safety and security. Alternative school programs will be available in all the middle schools for students who are on expulsion or long-term suspension for drugs, violence, or weapons infractions. Parent Attendance Technicians will make visits to the homes of students who are habitually truant and work with their families. Interior and exterior cameras will be placed on entrance doors, playgrounds, parking lots, and buses. Two-way radios for the schools and portable telephones for social workers and youth risk liaisons that make home visits will be purchased.
The process and outcome evaluation will be led by the University of Norfolk. The data gathered will be used for improvements throughout implementation. The outcome evaluation will make comparisons between the two jurisdictions using a case study approach.
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