The Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative is a grant program designed to develop real-world knowledge about what works best to reduce school violence. During the first two years of the program, grants of $1 million to $3 million were awarded to 77 local school districts that have formal partnerships with local mental health and law enforcement agencies. Grant awards totaled $145 million. School districts are using the funds to help communities design and implement comprehensive educational, mental health, social service, law enforcement, and juvenile justice services for youth. These services are designed to promote healthy childhood development, foster resilience, and prevent youth violence.

The underlying principles of the program are to:

• Marry security with healthy childhood development.
  
• Approach school violence as a public health issue.
  
• Offer comprehensive, coordinated services along the path of childhood development.
  
• Encourage partnerships among school districts, law enforcement agencies, and local mental health agencies.
  
• Replicate services known to work.

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