School Violence Prevention
DESIGN CHALLENGE:
Debriefs of acts of violence and bullying in schools revealed that other students where sometimes aware of early warning signs of this behavior, but this information wasn't passed on to administrators in time to take action to prevent the situation. We wanted to develop a collaborative effort between key community groups to prevent school based violence and mental health crisis among high school students.
PROJECT RESULT:
The Colorado Chiefs of Police Association named our School Violence Prevention program the Most Innovative New Program of the year. The county has contracted with us to deliver this training twice a year for the past 10 years.
Debriefs of acts of violence and bullying in schools revealed that other students where sometimes aware of early warning signs of this behavior, but this information wasn't passed on to administrators in time to take action to prevent the situation. We wanted to develop a collaborative effort between key community groups to prevent school based violence and mental health crisis among high school students.
PROJECT RESULT:
The Colorado Chiefs of Police Association named our School Violence Prevention program the Most Innovative New Program of the year. The county has contracted with us to deliver this training twice a year for the past 10 years.
DESIGN PROCESS:
Research & synthesis:
The School Violence Prevention program arose from a grassroots alliance we formed in Colorado. The program engages and strengthens relationships between community groups to create safer schools.
Research & synthesis:
The School Violence Prevention program arose from a grassroots alliance we formed in Colorado. The program engages and strengthens relationships between community groups to create safer schools.
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We interviewed representatives and conducted focus groups with key stakeholders to better understand school violence and mental health issues in high schools. Meeting with High School Peer Counselors, Local Law Enforcement Agencies, Mental Health Providers and Educators, we gather relevant scenarios, solutions and professional opinions for effectively addressing the problem. We identified the following key skills required by effective peer counselors:
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Ideation, selection & validation based on research findings:
- Developed a one day off-site collaborative Mental Health Awareness, Early Detection and Violence Prevention Program for High School Peer Counselors.
- The training included a didactic and facilitated role-play component.
- Representatives from each of the stakeholder groups participated in teaching and facilitating the class. This developed relationships and trust and dissolved stigma and bias between the different groups.
