Supt. Carvalho Unveils Anti-Violence Plan

MIAMI - Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho unveiled a comprehensive youth anti-violence plan at today’s School Board Meeting as promised.

Student and school safety have always been and continue to be top priorities in our school district,” said Carvalho. “We know that effective youth violence prevention efforts must incorporate school and community involvement to create comprehensive plans.”

Components of the 2009-2010 Youth Violence Prevention Implementation Plan include establishing a Task Force comprised of community members, including community and faith-based organizations; law enforcement; federal, state and local government agencies; inter-local coalitions; parents; and students.

Other components of the plan include the following:

Creating a mentoring program for at-risk youth called “M-DCPS Cares” supported by partnerships with community stakeholders in which vocational and employment opportunities are offered;

Adjusting the configuration of School Resource Officers by assigning one full-time Officer to each Senior High School in the District;

Continuing partnerships with organizations such as Crime Stoppers to support the anonymous reporting of weapons;

Expanding effective communication systems for weapons reporting and safety concerns for students, staff, parents and community to include anonymous texting, web-based reporting and phone calls;

Launching a series of weekly public service announcements created by local celebrities and the State Attorney's Office to increase personal responsibility and awareness of school safety; daily messages to students regarding personal responsibility and core values that promote safe decisions;

Providing a series of evening regional parent workshops in collaboration with The Parent Academy and other professional organizations (Dade Association of School Psychologists, School Social Worker Association, and Dade Counseling Association) that address violence prevention, bullying, cyber safety, building resilience, and adolescent mental health;

Increasing the dissemination of critical incident response procedures, including school lockdown, available on the District website; and

Organizing the Youth Violence Prevention Summit with a Student Leader facilitating the event for all attending parents, students and community members.

For further information, contact Suzy Berrios, Director of Mental Health and Crisis Management Services, at 305- 995-1452.