San Francisco County has taken a significant step towards enhancing school safety by approving a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the Stop School Violence Program. This funding, authorized retroactively, will support initiatives aimed at improving the climate within the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) over the next two years.

The grant will enable the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) to expand its efforts in preventing school violence through various strategies. Key components of the program include the establishment of multidisciplinary intervention teams, training for school personnel, and the hiring of school violence interrupters. These interrupters will be employed by community-based organizations to directly support violence prevention efforts on school campuses.

During the meeting, DCYF officials emphasized the urgency of addressing the recent surge in school violence, particularly among middle school students. The funding will also cover salaries for a new full-time position dedicated to coordinating these efforts, as well as training for school staff and juvenile probation officers.

Supervisors raised questions about the clarity of the grant's implementation and the metrics for measuring success. They expressed the need for ongoing support beyond the grant's duration, highlighting the importance of continuity in programs that address youth violence. The DCYF assured that they would work closely with existing community organizations and develop clear metrics to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

Public comments reflected concerns about the adequacy of resources for elementary schools, with calls for more comprehensive support across all educational levels. The meeting concluded with a positive recommendation to move the ordinance to the full board, with supervisors eager to see the results of the initiative and plans for sustaining efforts beyond the grant period.

This proactive approach aims to create a safer environment for students and staff, addressing a pressing issue in the community.