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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

PA CARES Bullying Prevention Grant Application
Announcement of new GRANT FUNDING to prevent bullying in Pennsylvania Schools

The Center for Safe Schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, through a unique partnership with Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation, is pleased to announce the availability of grants of up to $7500 for Pennsylvania schools to address the serious issue of bullying.

The Center for Safe Schools (CSS) administers the PA CARES (Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and Environment for Success) initiative. This program strives to help school personnel strengthen their efforts to eliminate bullying behaviors and provide safe and nurturing learning environments. The PA CARES initiative provides bullying prevention readiness tools, technical assistance support and resources to selected schools across the Highmark regions of Pennsylvania. From the applications received in response to this announcement, the CSS will select up to 35 schools to receive PA CARES initiative funding during 2009-10, for implementation during 2010-11 school year.

Selected schools will be expected to fully implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) for at least three years, complete the online Preventing School Violence Readiness Series and participate in training and evaluation activities conducted by the Center for Safe Schools.

 

STEPS TO APPLY

  • Consider viewing the online orientation session for potential PA CARES applicants. An archive of the session is available, along with a copy of the session PowerPoint. The session provides an overview of the PA CARES initiative, reviews requirements of grantees, and provides suggestions for preparing the application.
  • Designate a member of the school staff to complete the online Preventing School Violence: Readiness Series prior to the grant deadline. This person’s name will need to be reported on the application and verification of their completion of the series is required at the time of application.  The Readiness Series takes approximately 6 hours to complete.   A link to the Readiness Series can be found at http://fm.center-school.org/moodle/
  • Download and read a printable copy of the Grant Application Instructions (PDF format) and/or click the Grant Application Instructions link below. Click here to download and read a blank copy of the entire application.
  • Complete the application ONLINE (applications will NOT be accepted by mail or fax). The online application must be submitted by November 6, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. Schools will be notified of selection status by January 2010. Internet access is required. It will take about 30 minutes to complete the application. NOTE: Please make sure that JavaScript and Cookies are enabled on your browser. Do not clear your cookies once you begin the application. This will clear your responses and you will need to start the application again from the beginning. Your responses to the application will be saved on the first computer you use to access the link. If you access the link again from a different computer, the application will start at the beginning. Note the following points regarding saving, printing and returning to the online application:
    • When you access the application, select “Start new application” and enter first name, last name, email address, and password.  Please record this information for your reference.  You can use this information to login and resume the application. 
    • The application will be saved each time an applicant progresses to a new page. Applicants can navigate back and forth within the online application. Once the application is complete, there is the option to review or submit the application.  Edits or printing can be completed from the review screen.  Applicants must choose “submit” to formally submit the online application.  Submitted applications can be retrieved for printing by using the login credentials created at the beginning of the application. 
  • Complete the required Letters of Assurance using the templates provided in Section 7 of the Grant Application Instructions. The Letters of Assurance, from both the building principal and superintendent, must be postmarked no later than November 13, 2009.

 

GRANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

 

PREVENTING SCHOOL VIOLENCE: READINESS SERIES

The Center for Safe Schools’ Preventing School Violence Readiness Series is a three-part online course that provides schools with a framework to assess school safety needs. This series helps educators examine existing systems within their schools that support successful implementation of comprehensive school climate improvement programs and approaches, including the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Modules contain online presentations (PowerPoint slides with audio narrative), assessment tools, study guides, course evaluations and other supportive resource materials. For more information, or to access the course, please Click Here.

Funding for this readiness series is provided by the Highmark Foundation through its Healthy High 5 Initiative.