Washington State School Districts Receive more than $1.5 Million in DOJ Grants to Combat School Violence

          Three Washington State school districts, an Educational Service District and the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction will receive more than $1.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to combat school violence, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  The largest grant, nearly $1,000,000 for the Superintendent of Public Instruction, will fund efforts to provide teachers and students with the tools they need to recognize and respond quickly to prevent acts of violence.  Smaller grants to individual school districts will support students, teachers and law enforcement partnering to prevent school violence.

          “These federal funds support all-important state and local efforts to keep kids safe in our schools,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “The Department of Justice is committed to supporting all involved – including parents, administrators, teachers, students and school safety officers -- in finding ways to address the root causes of violence in our schools.”

            The grant to the Superintendent of Public Instruction office will assist in developing threat assessment and crisis intervention teams, and anonymous reporting systems designed to identify threats before they materialize.  Funding is provided for training students, school personnel and local law enforcement so they can prevent violence in schools. 

          Individual school districts are also receiving funding to enhance school security. The Ellensburg School District is receiving two grants totaling $300,000 for anti-violence programs.  The Monroe School District will receive $150,000.  The Quillayute Valley School District will receive $25,000 and the Northeast Washington Education Service District will receive $49,750.  The grants are targeted at developing programs to recognize and assess threats including issues of mental health.

          Under the terms of the grant, no funds can be used to purchase and provide firearms or training in the use of firearms to any personnel.

          This funding is provided under the Bureau of Justice Assistance, STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program.