BJA FY 21 Preventing School Violence: BJA's STOP School Violence Program

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. The Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (or STOP School Violence Act) describes the following for K-12 school safety projects: Training to prevent school violence, including training for local law enforcement officers, school personnel, and students. The development and operation of anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and websites. The development and deployment of— Multidisciplinary intervention and threat assessment teams that, when necessary, evaluate serious risks of violence in schools and include coordination with law enforcement agencies, behavioral health specialists, community stakeholders, and school personnel. Specialized training for school officials in responding to student mental health crises, including training on when and how to involve mental health professionals. Support for any other measure that, in the determination of the BJA Director, may provide a significant improvement in training, threat assessments and reporting, and violence prevention. NOTE: Under the STOP School Violence Act, BJA funds cannot be used for the purchase of target-hardening equipment to secure schools such as cameras, security systems, fencing, locks, etc. In addition, these funds cannot be used to pay for armed security officers or school resource officers. Applicants interested in funding for target hardening should see the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). Duplicate applications should not be submitted to both BJA and COPS.