Adams 14 School District Secures $1 Million Grant to Enhance School Safety
Adams 14 School District has received a significant boost in its efforts to tackle school violence, being awarded a $1 million federal grant through the Students, Teachers, Officers Preventing School Violence (STOP) Grant Program. This three-year grant aims to enhance security across the district, equipping teachers and students with the necessary tools to recognize, respond to, and prevent violent incidents within schools.
Karla Loría, the superintendent of Adams 14, expressed her gratitude for the grant, stating, “This award reflects our dedication to creating schools where every student feels safe, valued, and supported.” The funding will be instrumental in investing in Restorative Justice initiatives, alongside the hiring of Safety Advocates. This proactive approach emphasizes conflict resolution and seeks to create a positive impact on the entire Adams 14 community.
The STOP School Violence Act of 2018, under which the grant was awarded, empowers the U.S. Department of Justice to provide financial support for evidence-based safety programs aimed at enhancing school security. The grant will bolster the district’s adoption of restorative justice practices, which focus on repairing harm and fostering communication between victims and offenders to prevent future conflicts, rather than solely relying on disciplinary measures.
Serving over 5,000 students across 12 schools in Commerce City, Adams 14 has faced challenges regarding academic performance, remaining among Colorado’s lowest-performing school districts for over a decade. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland reaffirmed the importance of school safety by stating, “Schools must be safe places to learn,” emphasizing the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting American communities.
Since the inception of the STOP School Violence grant program, the U.S. Department of Justice has allocated over $350 million to support various school districts nationwide.
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