NYSED / P-12 / OSI / SSS / School Safety / Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC)

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Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC)

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities provides resources to school districts to implement programs and services to prevent violence in schools and drug and substance abuse.

• Laws, Rules and Regulations
• Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities: Science-Based Programs and Resources
• Bullying Resources
• Positive School Environments Resources
• Additional Resources

Laws, Rules and Regulations

• No Child Left Behind/Title IV - Part C — Environmental Tobacco Smoke  
• Legislation -  Text of the law, including SDFSC, 21st CCLC and 'Pro-Children Act of 2001 (Environmental Tobacco Smoke)

 

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities: Science-Based Programs and Resources

• Focus on Prevention: (2.08 MB) Practical guide to successful prevention strategies.
• Approved Science-Based SDFSC Programs - a list
• Where to Find Evidence-Based Interventions - links to additional websites
• Checklist for evaluating whether an intervention is backed by rigorous evidence- a useful tool
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
• SAMHSA - Evidence-Based Programs and Practices - To help in the prevention and/or treatment of mental and substance use disorders
• SAMHSA - Model Prevention Programs Supporting Academic Achievement - a chart describing each model program that has proven academic achievement outcomes; provides information about specific academic achievement outcomes and other outcomes related to school performance.
• Help Us Raise Awareness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Promotional Materials Now Available
• Sharing Success provides information through newsletters, the Educational Programs That Work catalog, the Website, conferences, flyers and the Technical Assistance Center to assist schools, adult education sites, agencies and community based organizations to provide quality programs to meet the needs of their learners.
• Helping America’s Youth The Community Guide to Helping America’s Youth helps communities, builds partnerships, assesses their needs and resources and selects from program designs that could be replicated in their community.
• SAMHSA Launches Searchable Database of Evidence-Based Practices in Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.  The new National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).  The NREPP (www.nrepp.samhsa.gov) is a searchable database with up-to-date, reliable information on the scientific basis and practicality of interventions.

Bullying Resources

• StopBullying.gov provides information from various federal agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying. If you or someone you know is being bullied, get help.
• Toward Safe and Supportive Learning Environments - information on reducing bullying behaviors
• Safe Schools Coalition:  The Safe Schools Coalition offers resources as a starting point for educators, parents/guardians and youth. 
• Family Pride Coalition  Family Pride is the national non-profit organization committed to securing family equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer parents, guardians and allies.
• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center; advocates at state and local levels for the rights of alternative families.

Positive School Environments Resources

• Information related to the Dignity Act
• Three programs recognized as effective programs by the U.S. Department of Education and the Substance Abuse and the Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have shown significant improvements in creating a positive school environment which contributes to academic achievement. The programs are:
• Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) - A comprehensive program for promoting emotional and social competencies and reducing aggression and behavior problems in elementary school-aged children while simultaneously enhancing the educational process in the classroom.
  Find more information about the PATHS program online at:
  http://www.channing-bete.com/prevention-programs/paths
• Seattle Social Development Project  - A universal, multidimensional intervention that decreases juveniles' problem behaviors by working with parents, teachers, and children. This focuses on student communication, decision making, negotiation, conflict resolution, and resistance skills. Learn more about the Seattle Social Development Project at: http://depts.washington.edu/ssdp
• Olweus Bullying Prevention Program  - A multilevel, multicomponent program designed to reduce and prevent schools' bully problems. More information about the Bullying Prevention Program can be found at: http://www.olweus.org/public/index.page 

Additional Resources:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice. Download or order a free copy of TAP 21 online.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Injury and Violence Prevention and Control
• Underage Alcohol Use and Prevention : resources from OASAS
• National Institute on Drug Abuse

Last Updated: January 12, 2012