April 2022
Latest News
New CDC Data Illuminate Youth Mental Health Threats During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data from the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey highlighting the magnitude of the challenges our nation’s youth faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings also showed that school connectedness had an important effect on students during a time of severe disruption. Read more about the data – as well as how schools can act as a critical venue to provide support – here.
DHS Releases Fact Sheet on Efforts to Combat Child Exploitation and Abuse
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Child Exploitation Investigations Unit – part of the Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center – leads the nation in the fight against online child sexual abuse. With interagency partners and other DHS offices and agencies, DHS brings to bear its full resources in combating these heinous crimes. Reference the recently released fact sheet from DHS here.
Application Deadlines Approaching for Grants and Funding Opportunities
Several school safety-related grant programs for K-12 schools and districts have application periods closing in April and May. These funding opportunities address school safety needs such as mental health support, school violence prevention and response, and school climate. Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Grants Finder Tool to explore these opportunities here.
Get Involved with National Prevention Week (May 4-8)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Prevention Week (NPW) is a national public education platform bringing together communities and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. Learn more about NPW and find resources, events, materials, and activities for your school community here.
Access State-Specific School Safety Resources on SchoolSafety.gov
SchoolSafety.gov’s State Search Tool provides the K-12 academic community with a streamlined and centralized platform to access state-specific school safety information, including programs, resources, contacts, and engagement opportunities. Find school safety information for your state here.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Grants and Funding Opportunities
April Deadlines
May Deadlines
Ongoing
Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Grants Finder Tool for additional school safety-related funding opportunities.
Events, Webinars, and Conferences
Developing a Competitive SAMHSA Grant Application (April 14 & May 3) – These webinars provide information on how to submit grant applications to SAMHSA using the National Institutes of Health’s eRA System, including application and registration processes, requirements and validations, and the post-submission process. Find webinar information here.
Supporting Vulnerable Youth: Preventing and Combating Bias-Based Bullying and Hate Crimes (April 28) – This webinar from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will explain bias-based crimes and bullying based on race, ethnicity, religion, body type, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. Presenters will discuss tools to counter stereotypes and myths to diminish anti-Semitic, homophobic, and racist speech to help promote respectful, inclusive, and safe environments.
HUD/SAMHSA: National Mental Health Awareness Month Webinar Series (May 4, 11, 18 & 25) The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Public and Indian Housing and SAMHSA will present a series of free webinars this May to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month. Webinars will take place each Wednesday and will feature leading mental health professionals from SAMHSA and HUD, as well as practitioners from their respective communities. Events include:
2022 SAMHSA Prevention Day (May 9) – This virtual event will kick off National Prevention Week, a national public education platform bringing together communities and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. Register here.
Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Events Page for additional school safety-related webinars, conferences, and more.
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New School Safety Resources
COVID-19 Related
Letter to Educators and Parents: New CDC Recommendations and Their Impact on Children with Disabilities
This document from the U.S. Department of Education offers updated guidance and resources for educators and parents to aid COVID-19 mitigation efforts in schools and address the needs of students with disabilities as the U.S. moves to a new phase of pandemic response.
Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
This webpage contains links to resources and guidance from Federal agencies about indoor air considerations for schools during COVID-19 and school reopening, as well as Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools resources to help create, maintain, and improve healthy learning environments beyond the pandemic.
Other Resources
Youth Violence Prevention Resources for K-12 Schools
This two-page infographic illustrates the issue of youth violence, strategies to address it, and a sampling of related resources, programs, and tools available through the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse.
Visit SchoolSafety.gov for additional resources to support school safety and security efforts.
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If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future newsletters, please contact us at SchoolSafety@hq.dhs.gov. Follow @SchoolSafetyGov on Twitter for additional school safety updates.
SchoolSafety.gov Disclaimer
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Education (ED), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) do not endorse any individual, enterprise, product, or service. DHS, ED, DOJ, and HHS do not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described in this communication. DHS, ED, DOJ, and HHS do not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information outside of those respective Departments, and the opinions expressed in any of these materials do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of DHS, ED, DOJ, and HHS.
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