Delsea Regional School District Awarded $1.37 Million Grant to Foster Safer and Healthier Learning Environments
[Franklinville, NJ] — The Delsea Regional School District is proud to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – Stronger Connections grant (BSCA-SCG), securing an impressive $1.37 million out of the $20.6 million awarded to only fifteen recipients in the state. This grant, aimed at establishing safer and healthier learning environments, is a testament to Delsea’s commitment to the well-being and success of its students.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) launched the BSCA-SCG grant program with the goal of fostering positive, inclusive, and supportive school environments. Delsea’s was positioned as a prime candidate for this grant, allowing them to access essential funds to enhance the quality of education and care they provide to their students.
“We are thrilled to be chosen for the BSCA-SCG grant,” said Assistant Superintendent and author of the grant, Dr. Anthony Fitzpartick. “This funding will enable us to implement evidence-based strategies that prioritize our students’ social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being. It’s a tremendous step forward in our mission to create safe and supportive learning environments that empower all students, particularly those who are underserved.”
The grant program encourages eligible agencies to focus on a range of allowable uses, including safety initiatives, fostering a sense of belonging, implementing trauma-responsive practices, and teaching positive behaviors that contribute to an environment conducive to improved academic achievement and student well-being.
Delsea’s proposal, which demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing comprehensive, evidence-based strategies, stood out among the applicants. The district’s plan aligns with the NJDOE’s priority on youth mental health while also engaging students, families, educators, staff, and community organizations in the selection and implementation of strategies to enhance inclusivity and support.
“We believe that education is not just about academics, but also about nurturing the holistic growth of our students,” Superintendent Dr. Piera Gravenor added. “This grant will enable us to create a lasting impact by enhancing our policies and practices, advancing equity, and ensuring that all students are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
The Delsea Regional School District will embark on this transformative journey starting September 1, 2023, and continue until September 30, 2025, thanks to the availability of federal funding provided through the BSCA-SCG grant program. The grant will fund the following programs/initatives:
- Licensed Social Workers in partnership with Jefferson Mental Health
- Community Wellness Coordinator to assist families in obtaining resources to support mental health
- School Security through the installation of projectile-delaying film and bollards to deter vehicular intrusion
- Updated Wellness Rooms
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports including an Early Warning System to detect students in need of intervention.
- Professional development in high-impact instructional practices
As the district takes these crucial steps toward building safer and healthier learning environments, the entire community can look forward to witnessing the positive changes that will unfold.