MA DESE announces that the 2019-2020 (FY20) Safe and Supportive Schools Competitive Grant (FC335) is now posted. Please visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2020/335/ for more information.
We are pleased to share with you a summary of the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (TLPI) Trauma-Sensitive Schools Descriptive Study. This two-year study by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) provides new evidence that an understanding of trauma sensitivity can lead to changes in practice and new ways of interacting with both students and with fellow staff members. In turn these new ways of thinking and changes in practice can serve as a foundation for school-wide culture change that enables students and their educators to feel safe and supported to learn and be successful.
The House Ways and Means budget was released this week and the line item for Safe and Supportive Schools includes $400,000. Representative Ruth Balser has filed a budget amendment for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) to increase funding to $500,000. This will restore funding to last year’s level. We are writing with an URGENT request to please email your MA Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor Representative Balser’s amendment!
In this post, we are excited to share the third in our three part series of short videos on the impacts of trauma on learning, classroom behavior, and relationships. One of the most important roles schools can play in the lives of students is helping them to have good relationships with peers and adults. Research indicates that positive student-teacher relationships can help increase academic engagement and performance. But for students impacted by traumatic experiences, forming and maintaining relationships with their peers and with the adults around them can be challenging. To learn more, please view the video below.
MA DESE announces that the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Safe and Supportive Schools Grant Program (Fund Code 335), funded through the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612), is now accepting proposals for the 2018-19 school year. For more information, please see the FY19 fund code 335 RFP Page http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2019/335/
Great news! The Conference Committee voted to increase the FY 19 Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) to $700,000, an increase of $200,000 over the FY18 budget.
Senator Sal DiDomenico’s budget amendment (# 171) for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612) was adopted by the MA Senate. The amendment increased the amount of funding for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item to $600,000, the same amount included in the House budget this year. This will allow more schools and districts to receive grants to create and implement Safe and Supportive Schools Action Plans. The amendment also incorporated important language changes that were included by the House and that would implement recommendations made by the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission, such as providing leadership summits to help support superintendents and principals to create safe and supportive schools.
The Senate Ways and Means budget was released this week and the line item for Safe and Supportive Schools includes $500,000. Senator Sal DiDomenico has filed a budget amendment (# 171) for the Safe and Supportive Schools line item (7061-9612). Senator DiDomenico’s amendment would increase the amount of funding for the line item to $600,000, the same amount included in the House budget this year. This will allow more schools and districts to receive grants to create and implement Safe and Supportive Schools Action Plans.
The MA House Ways and Means Budget was released yesterday and it funded the Safe and Supportive Schools line item at $600,000 – an increase of $100,000! This critical funding, if included in the final budget, will support implementation of the Safe and Supportive Schools Framework statute.
TLPI is pleased to share the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission’s third annual report, which summarizes the Commission’s charge and duties and articulates a vision of ensuring that every school in the Commonwealth has the support it needs to cultivate a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.