APPLICATION INFORMATION – DUE FEBRUARY 1, 2016
Description of the Safe Communities Safe Schools Middle School Project
SECTION 1: PROJECT OVERVIEW
1.A. Application/Selection Process: The application will be available starting January 4, 2016 and is due February 1,
2016. Front Range middle schools1 (or schools containing middle school grades: K-8, 6-12) are eligible to apply. Preapplication teleconference calls will be conducted on Friday, January 8, 2016 and Friday, January 15, 2016 from 10:0011:00 a.m. to address prospective applicants’ questions regarding the application.
Call-In Information: January 8, 2016 10:00-11:00 a.m. (call 408-638-0968, enter meeting ID: 906 851 314)
Or: January 15, 2016 10:00-11:00 a.m. (call 408-638-0968, enter meeting ID: 582 541 0167)
Feasibility visits will be scheduled to be completed between February 15 and March 15 with applicants who meet the
eligibility and application requirements. All school safety team members, including the school principal, will be required
to attend. District superintendents should also attend, if available. Site selection will be announced by April 1, 2016.
Implementation will begin with the 2016-17 school year.
1.B. Project Description: The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) has received funding from the
National Institutes of Justice to study the implementation and impact of the Safe Communities Safe Schools (SCSS)
Model in Colorado Front Range middle schools. The funding will provide coaching, training and technical assistance, and
evidence-based program materials to eligible schools and districts to support school safety and violence prevention,
beginning in fall 2016. A panel of national and local experts and researchers will guide the training and technical
assistance design of the comprehensive SCSS Model.
The SCSS Model was originally developed in 1999 by Dr. Delbert Elliott, the founding director of CSPV, Ron Stephens, the
director of the National School Safety Center, and Dr. James Comer, the developer of the Comer School Development
Program, as a collaborative effort with the Colorado Association of School Executives, the Colorado Association of School
Boards, and the State’s Attorney General. It was developed in response to the Columbine school shooting and the call to
develop more comprehensive approaches to school safety. The Model has been updated to include the most current
research about what is necessary to support schools’ readiness and capacity to implement a coordinated and
comprehensive approach to school safety that is tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each school.
1.B.1. Project Goals:
 Increase readiness and capacity to implement the SCSS Model
 Increase collective efficacy – shared norms and trust among students and staff and willingness to intervene on
behalf of the common good
 Positively impact school climate and increase levels of school safety
 Increase student pro-social behaviors (e.g., social emotional learning, academic achievement)
1 Geographically defined as the urban corridor stretching north to Fort Collins and south to Pueblo, including the Denver Metro
area.

Address mental health needs and reduce student problem behaviors (e.g., delinquency, bullying, violence)
1.B.2. Addressing Senate Bill 213: Recent state legislation (SB 15-213) has increased the burden on schools to “exercise
reasonable care to protect students, faculty, staff, and others from harm that is reasonably foreseeable while such
students, faculty, staff, and others are within the school facilities or are participating in school-sponsored activities.”
Schools now face financial liability for injuries sustained by violent acts that could have been prevented. The SCSS Model
is designed to help support schools in meeting that standard of care.
1.C. Overview of the SCSS Model: The SCSS Model works in close partnership with schools and communities to
deliver the most effective programs and strategies known to impact school safety and prevent violence in ways that are
tailored to their unique needs. The Model consists of 3 Core Components (pictured below) and an implementation
framework called the SCSS Implementation Road Map that strengthens, integrates, and aligns existing efforts (e.g.,
Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) into a coordinated, strategic approach that addresses gaps related
to school safety and violence prevention efforts and promotes student wellbeing. The SCSS Implementation Roadmap
outlines a five-phase process for delivering evidence-based programs and strategies to meet each school’s unique dataidentified needs while maintaining fidelity to the SCSS Model.
1.C.1. The SCSS Model 3 Core Components include: (1) engagement of a multidisciplinary school design team (MSDT)2
and the development of key community partnerships committed to data-based decision making, cultural
responsiveness, fair and consistent disciplinary practices, and school-wide
change, (2) implementation of an effective intelligence gathering system to
collect and interpret data at the school (e.g., climate, attendance, discipline,
rates of bullying, violence, victimization, and mental health) and student
levels (e.g., screening and assessment to identify early indicators related to
individual students’ behavioral and mental health needs), and (3)
development of an evidence-based multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS)
that includes a schoolwide approach to social and emotional learning (SEL)
and builds staff capacity to identify and address student needs at the
universal (i.e., all students), targeted (i.e., some students), and intensive
levels (i.e., a few students).
1.D. Funding and Partnerships: Funding for this project is provided to the
University of Colorado Boulder by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of
Justice, as part of their Comprehensive School Safety Initiative [Award No 2015-CK-BX-K002 - 2015-91653-CO-IJ]. CSPV
has partnered with multiple statewide agencies to help support this effort, including the Colorado School Safety
Resource Center, Colorado Department of Education, Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Colorado Department of
Human Services, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Division of Behavioral Health,
Colorado Attorney General’s Office (including Safe2Tell), Colorado Association of School Executives, Colorado
Association of School Boards, Colorado Education Initiative, and Colorado Association of School Resource Officers.
SECTION 2: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (REQUIREMENTS, BENEFITS, AND TIMELINE)
2.A. Staggered Implementation Plan: Implementation of the project model will be staggered with 9 schools starting
each year of the project, so that all 36 schools will receive the intervention by Year 4. Schools that are selected to
participate will be required to sign an agreement that details the roles and responsibility of each party and procedures
to ensure the independence and objectivity of the research. Schools in the control group will receive a $1,000 stipend
for the years they are in the control group. Year 1 intervention schools will participate in research activities and receive
2
Multidisciplinary school design teams (MSDT) will include school administrators, counselors, lead teachers, student
representatives, and community partners (i.e., law enforcement, juvenile justice, social services, mental health agencies, parents).
The MSDT will oversee the development and implementation of the school’s action plan and oversee the integration of the SCSS
Core Components in the school’s daily practices.
the program model all four years. Year 2 intervention schools will participate in research activities all four years and
receive the program model in years 2-4. Year 3 intervention schools will participate in research activities all four years
and receive the program model years 3-4. Year 4 intervention schools will participate in research activities all four years
and receive the program model in year 4.
2.B. School/District Eligibility Requirements and Benefits:
Table 1: Eligibility Requirements and Benefits
Overall Eligibility Requirements:
1. Front Range middle schools (or schools containing
middle school grades: K-8, 6-12)
2. Support and commitment of school leadership and
school safety team members (school and district
levels)
3. Willingness to participate as an intervention or
control site
4. Administration of annual SCSS school climate
surveys for students and staff (beginning fall 2016)
5. Willingness to share school-level data (attendance,
behavior, academic outcomes)
6. Participation in two 1.5-day trainings per year and
ongoing technical assistance for school teams;
additional training and technical assistance for
evidence-based programs, strategies and policies
will be based on individualized school action plans
7. Collection of data about program implementation,
including interviews and annual feedback surveys
and possibly classroom observations
8. Staff Interviews and feedback opportunities for
continuous feedback to ensure evidence-based
strategies and programs are feasible and helpful
Schools Will Receive:
1. Intensive training, coaching and technical
assistance around the SCSS Model Core
Components
2. Comprehensive school climate data and
student-level screening and assessment tools
3. Tools and resources to support monitoring
school climate and safety
4. Social emotional learning strategies for staff
and students
5. Training and materials for one Blueprints for
Healthy Youth Development program
6. Training and technical assistance in developing
a tiered system of evidence-based prevention
and intervention programs, practices and
policies matched to student and school need
7. The opportunity to participate in a Community
of Practice with other schools and districts
8. $1,000 stipend for years in the control group
2.C. Training, Technical Assistance, Coaching for Multidisciplinary School Design Team (MSDT):
1. Two 1.5 day trainings per year beginning in Year 1 (for intervention schools) and meet on a monthly basis (full
team) and bi-weekly (sub-team) to guide implementation.
2. The SCSS Project Team will provide bi-monthly proactive consultation and coaching to each school’s MSDT to
facilitate data-based decision making, schoolwide engagement in the project, and effective implementation of
selected evidence-based programs and strategies. A skilled facilitator will attend the monthly MSDT meetings as
needed during the Year 1 planning period.
3. The SCSS Project Team will work with the intervention schools to determine how to integrate the training,
consultation and coaching into their existing meeting and professional development structures.
4. MSDTs will oversee the development and implementation of their individualized School Action Plans. These
plans will be aligned to the SCSS Core Components and tailored to each school’s specific needs and capacity.
Training and technical assistance/coaching resources will be provided to support the school’s individualized
action plan during the implementation phases.
2.D. Evidence-Based Program Implementation: Schools will select and receive funding to implement one program
from the following list of Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development Programs. Full descriptions of each program are
available on the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development website: http://www.blueprintsprograms.com.
Table 2: Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development Program Menu
Blueprint Program
Program Type
Achievement Mentoring (formerly
Behavioral Monitoring and
Reinforcement Program)
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for
Trauma in Schools (CBITS)
LifeSkills® Training
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Selected (Tier 2)
Positive Action
Positive Family Support
Strengthening Families 10-14
Program Outcomes
Academics, delinquency, substance use
Indicated (Tier 3)
Mental health – PTSD and depression, classroom behavior
Universal (Tier 1)
Universal (Tier 1)
Selected (Tier 2)
Universal (Tier 1)
Substance use, delinquency, violence
Bullying/victimization, delinquency/anti-social behavior
Universal (Tier 1)
Selected (Tier 2)
Indicated (Tier 3)
Universal (Tier 1)
Academics, social emotional character development,
internalizing and externalizing behavior, substance use
School outcomes, substance use, depression, delinquency
Substance use, aggression, depression
2.E. Collecting Data about Program Implementation: Data will be collected to assess to what extent evidencebased program and strategy implementation are being implemented as intended at all intervention schools every year.
This will consist of: site visit interviews with school administration, program coordinators and program facilitators; end
of year surveys, to be completed by program coordinators and program facilitators; and classroom observations, for
programs with a universal level component (i.e., classroom curriculum).
Table 3: Project Timeline: Below is a timeline of the entire project.
Control Group*
Year 1
2016/17
SY
1. Administer climate surveys
2. Gather other outcome data
Intervention Group SCSS Model
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Administer climate survey
Gather other outcome data
Attend fall training (1.5 days)
Implement Safe2Tell
Review threat assessment & information sharing procedures
Attend spring training (1.5 days)
Develop School Action Plan
Begin implementation of schoolwide SEL simple practices/
strategies and staff education and awareness of student needs
Year 2
3. Administer climate surveys
9. Continue implementing prioritized strategies (see #8)
2017/18
4. Gather other outcome data
10. Begin implementing Blueprint Evidence Based Program (EBP)
SY
11. Attend fall training (1.5 days)
12. Administer climate survey
13. Gather other outcome data
14. Attend spring training (1.5 days)
Year 3
5. Administer climate surveys
15. Continue implementing prioritized strategies (see #8)
2018/19
6. Gather other outcome data
16. Continue implementing Blueprint EBP
SY
17. Attend fall training (1.5 days)
18. Administer climate survey
19. Gather other outcome data
20. Attend spring training (1.5 days)
Year 4
All schools will be in the
21. Continue implementing prioritized strategies (see #8)
2019/20
intervention
22. Continue implementing Blueprint EBP
SY
condition by year 4
23. Develop/finalize sustainability plans
24. Attend fall training (1.5 days)
25. Administer climate survey
26. Gather other outcome data
*Note: when control schools enter into the intervention condition, they begin Year 1 Intervention Group implementation activities.
Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence
Safe Communities ~ Safe Schools Model Grant Application
Date:
Contact Person: ______________________________
______________
Title: __________________________________
School/Organization/Agency: ______________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________
Zip: ________________
Telephone: ___________________________
Fax: ________________
Email: ________________________________
Note: Where check boxes appear, double click on box and select “checked”
Please review the following link on the Safe Communities Safe Schools (SCSS) Model to better understand
this initiative. (http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/publications/safeschools/SCSS_Overview_Brochure.pdf)
It is recommended that the individual(s) completing the application have detailed knowledge of school safety
efforts occurring in the school(s), and can answer school-level as well as district-level questions.
Assessing Need
1. Have you assessed the need for developing a comprehensive school safety framework in your school or
district? Yes
No
a. How was this need determined?
School climate survey
Behavioral reports
School discipline data
Focus group with school personnel
Other
Please describe:
2. What are your biggest challenges around safety/school violence and student problem behaviors (e.g.,
truancy, mental health issues, bullying, substance use, etc.)?
3. Indicate current efforts in place in your school and/or district that address school safety and violence
prevention planning (Check all that apply).
District Crisis/Response Team
School Crisis/Response Team
Safe School Planning Team
Comprehensive Crisis Response Plan
Threat Assessment Team
Information Sharing Agreements (if yes, mark all that apply)
Law Enforcement
Fire Department
Department of Human Services
Community Mental Health Agencies
Other (please specify)_________________
Safe2 Tell or another anonymous reporting system
Administered school climate or behavioral surveys in the last year (if yes, mark all that apply)
Healthy Kids Colorado (YRBS)
Student school climate surveys
Staff school climate surveys
Parent school climate surveys
Other survey: ____________________________________________
Other (describe):
4. Indicate current efforts in your school and/or district related to student behavioral and mental health (Check
all that apply):
Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
Screening/assessment for behavioral and mental health needs
Activities to support a positive school climate
Multi-tiered System of Supports
Mental health/trauma supports/services
on site
off site
Mental health referral system
Social emotional learning (SEL) for students and staff
Staff well-being strategies (stress reduction, mindfulness, SEL approaches)
Training to identify and respond to youth with behavioral or mental health needs (e.g., Mental Health
First Aid)
Parent Education/Supports regarding mental health, behavioral and emotional competencies
Other (describe):
a. Please describe how parents are notified and involved in resolving a behavioral or mental health
concern:
5. Is your school currently implementing any of the following evidence-based prevention/intervention
programs (check all that apply):
Name of Program
Achievement Mentoring (formerly Behavioral Monitoring and
Reinforcement Program)
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS)
LifeSkills Training
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Positive Action
Positive Family Support
Strengthening Families 10-14
For how long?
Organizational Capacity and Resources
Not at all
supportive
Somewhat
supportive
Supportive
Extremely
supportive
6. How supportive is the leadership … in developing a
comprehensive school safety framework?
…in you district…
…in your school…
7. How motivated is the leadership … in developing a
comprehensive school safety framework?
…in your district…
…in your school…
8. Is there a functioning team at your school(s) that could serve as the Multidisciplinary School Design Team
(MSDT) (e.g. RTI team, PBIS team – see Description of Project document for more information on
MSDTs)?
Yes
No
(If no, answer Questions 8.a. and 8d. only)
If yes, please describe (please include information on how many team members, how often the team
meets, current purpose of the team, etc.).
a. If no, are you willing to form a team for this work? (please include information on who would serve on
this team, roles, can they agree to meet at least monthly?) Yes
No
b. How supportive are all team members of the implementation of the SCSS Model (e.g., a
comprehensive school safety framework) at their school(s)?
1
Not at all supportive
2
Somewhat supportive
3
Supportive
4
Extremely supportive
c. Are all team members aware of, willing, and able to participate in all aspects of the Core Components
of the SCSS Model (up to two 1.5-day trainings per year, ongoing coaching and technical assistance,
development and implementation of an individualized School Action Plan and evaluation of
implementation progress)?
Yes
No
d. Are there staff at your school with the experience/knowledge needed to perform the tasks across the
SCSS Model’s 3 Core Components, or will you be able to designate staff who can be trained to perform
these tasks (Participate as part of a multi-disciplinary school design team, Identification of behavioral
health needs of students – data collection and assessment (risk/threat), implement evidence-based
prevention and intervention programs and practices)?
Yes
No
9. Do you have the ability to identify a school coordinator and district-level coordinator to work in partnership
with CSPV to support the school and district coordination of this project? Yes
No
If yes, please list these persons’ names and contact information, and relationship to the applying
district and school(s) applying:
10. Are classroom teachers aware that the SCSS Model, which may include classroom-based prevention
programming, is being considered by their school? Yes
No
a. Please be aware that CSPV will hire on-site consultants to observe classroom-based program
sessions. These observers will be monitoring the fidelity and integrity of implementation by noting
whether or not teachers cover the main points of each lesson. They will not provide feedback to
teachers, and they make unannounced visits to the school. The observers will conduct several random
observations of every teacher.
Do you anticipate any concerns on behalf of your teachers and schools?
Yes
No
If yes, please explain:
b. The SCSS Model also includes coaching and feedback around in-classroom strategies/supports for
teachers (i.e., social emotional learning strategies, self care stress reduction). Please describe your
plans to inform teachers and other school staff of their involvement in these activities.
School Characteristics
11. How many schools from your district are interested in participating in the program?
Please complete an attached “Participating Schools” form for each school
Please return completed application via e-mail or fax to:
Susanne Argamaso Maher
§ Susanne.maher@colorado.edu § Fax: 303-492-2151
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
(Complete one form for each participating school at your site)
Name of School District: __________________________________________________________
Name of School: ________________________________________________________________
School Address: ________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________
Zip: __________________
School Telephone: ____________________
School Fax: ____________________
Total # Students in Schl: ______
School Structure (K-8, 6-8, 6-12): ____________________
School Contact Person: ______________________
Contact Phone #: _________________
Contact Full Address: ____________________________________________________________
Contact Email: __________________________________________________________________