A Project of CVES

Safe Schools/Healthy Students project brings millions of dollars to the North Country

Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) received 4.3 million dollars to make schools safer and students healthier. The Safe Schools/Healthy Students project is a federal initiative to reduce the risk of school violence and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs while promoting strong mental health among students and their families. Nationally, the Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative provides an opportunity to create sustainable system change that positively impacts students, families, and communities. This interagency partnership involves 3 federal agencies: The U.S. Department of Education, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), and the Department of Justice.
The Communities of One, Safe Schools/Healthy Students project is one of the largest interagency collaborations in the North Country. The project involves 18 partner organizations in both Clinton and Essex Counties including: Champlain Valley Educational Services, SUNY Research Foundation, Clinton and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices, Clinton and Essex County Probation Departments, The Childcare Coordinating Council of the North Country, Clinton County Community Services Board, Behavior Health Services North, Champlain Valley Family Center, Eastern Adirondack Healthcare Network, The Substance Abuse Prevention Team, and the Essex County Mental Health Agency. The 5 participating school districts are: AuSable Valley Central School, Moriah Central School, Northern Adirondack Central School, Saranac Central School, and Ticonderoga Central School.
Although many of the activities supported by the Communities of One project target elementary school students, a district-wide focus to promote positive learning environments will be implemented using the Supporting Positive School Environments framework. Elementary students may participate in school-based activities during the school day or as part of an after school program. In addition, take-home lessons will be used to promote parent-child participation. Research-based programs supported by the project are proven to reduce the risk of school violence; the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and improve indicators of social and emotional wellness.
Other services being provided to each district include: safety assessments and crisis intervention planning, as well as early childhood development programs. CVES and local law enforcement will assist schools in assessing the effectiveness of existing safety plans and coordinating crisis intervention plans that will further minimize risk of harm during a crisis situation. Early childhood development specialists will establish family resource centers at each school to provide parent-child learning groups, a parent lending library and free developmental screenings. In addition, Parent education workshops will be offered in both Clinton and Essex Counties.
To learn more about the Communities of One Safe Schools/Healthy Students project and activities, contact your school district or visit our website at: http://safeschools.cves.org.

For more information, please contact:
Wanda McQueen - Project Administrator
(518) 561-0100 x 357

School Community Coordinator
(518) 561-0100 x373