Functional Statements > Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools

Sections

1. Mission and Responsibilities
2. Organization
3. Order of Succession
4. Functions and Responsibilities of SDFS Components
1. Immediate Office of the Assistant Deputy Secretary
2. Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, and Physical Education
3. Drug-Violence Prevention - State Programs
4. Drug-Violence Prevention - National Programs
5. Character and Civic Education
5. Primary Delegations of Authority

I. Mission and Responsibilities

The Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on Departmental matters related to safe and drug-free schools and character education programs, and represents the Department at national and international meetings related to safe and drug-free schools and character education. The Office administers, coordinates, and recommends policy for improving quality and excellence of programs and activities that are designed to:

• Provide financial assistance for drug and violence prevention activities and activities that promote the health and well being of students in elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. Activities may be carried out by State and local educational agencies and by other public and private nonprofit organizations.
• Participate in the formulation and development of ED program policy and legislative proposals and in overall Administration policies related to violence and drug prevention; drafting program regulations.
• Participate in interagency committees, groups, and partnerships related to drug and violence prevention, coordinating with other Federal agencies on issues related to comprehensive school health, and advising the Secretary on the formulation of comprehensive school health education policy.
• Participate with other Federal agencies in the development of a national research agenda for drug and violence prevention.
• Administer the Department's programs relating to citizenship and civics education.

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II. Organization

The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools is under the supervision of the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools, who reports to the Deputy Secretary. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Deputy Secretary provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following major elements:

• Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, and Physical Education
• Drug-Violence Prevention - State Programs
• Drug-Violence Prevention - National Programs
• Character and Civic Education

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III. Order of Succession

The order of succession is as follows:

In the event that the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools dies, resigns or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office, and the office is thereby deemed to be vacant, the Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary shall temporarily perform the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity.

In instances where the office is not vacant, but the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools is absent, the following officials, in the order shown, shall perform the functions and duties of the office:

Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary.

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