• Teaching and learning only occur within a safe and secure environment for learners and those who instruct and support them. In fact, high performing public schools are dependent upon a safe and secure environment.
• Safety at public schools must be a community-focused effort. Collaboration is required between federal, state, and local policymakers, those who govern and manage schools, parents, law enforcement, and other emergency responders and organizations that support children and families.

To learn more about the CES, visit here.

What should be reported?

Any threat to life that happens on school property or the school bus should be reported to C2R. This may include:

• Assault
• Weapons
• School Shooting
• Planned Suicide

Reports are accepted from:

• Students
• Parents
• School personnel 
• Concerned citizens
• Confidential reporters

Once received, officials with the school and law enforcement will then determine how to appropriately handle each report.

In late 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced nearly $1 billion in awards through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). In Missouri, the Stronger Connections grants aim to provide students with safe and supportive learning opportunities and environments critical for academic success. Missouri was awarded $15,082,238 from this program.

Through the BSCA, Congress awarded $1 billion in funding to state educational agencies (SEAs) to develop state grant programs to give students safer and healthier learning environments. The BSCA specifies that SEAs must award these funds competitively to high-need LEAs, as determined by the state.

This grant focuses on helping schools foster sustained learning, engagement, and attachment for students in Missouri schools. The Stronger Connections Grant Program mandates that schools should accomplish this by becoming more resilient, supporting mental health, and improving school climate.

According to the Department of Education, schools should spend Stronger Connections Grant Program funds to: 

• Implement evidence-based strategies that meet students’ social, emotional, and mental well-being needs. 
• Create positive, inclusive, and supportive school environments.
• Increase access to place-based interventions and services.
• Engage students, families, educators, staff, and community organizations in selecting and implementing strategies to create safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments. 
• Design and implement policies and practices responsive to underserved students, protecting student rights, and demonstrating respect for student dignity and potential. 

Examples of spending that qualifies for funding include hiring counselors and nurses, expanding mental and behavioral health services, providing teacher training on inclusion and behavioral interventions, and other related efforts to create a positive and supportive climate in Missouri schools.

As part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds were made available to address the pandemic’s impact on student safety and mental well-being. As of July 31, 2022, Missouri has spent 22% of the total awarded funds.

For the first round of ESSER grants, the state was allocated $208,443,300. The deadline to obligate those funds was Sept. 30, 2022. 

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed in 2020. As part of the act, Missouri’s ESSER II allocation was $871,172,291, and it must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2023.

Another round of funding was made available as part of the American Rescue Plan. Missouri’s portion of those ESSER funds is $1,957,916,288, and the obligation deadline is Sept. 30, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Justice oversees the COPS School Violence Prevention Program. The money is earmarked for evidence-based school safety programs and technology.

Schools can use those funds to purchase school safety technology that helps identify potential dangers. The money can also be used to improve emergency notification and response systems.

To learn more, visit the COPS website.

The U.S. Department of Justice also has funds available through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. BJA’s STOP School Violence Program funds software that helps K-12 schools maintain a safe environment. It’s geared toward recognizing, responding to, and preventing violence on campus.

Learn more here.

The list of federal grants awarded to Missouri for the 2022-23 school year includes:

• IDEA ARP: $49,733,879 
• IDEA: $309,108,762
• Title I: $533,774,493
• Title IV-A: $17,942,712