School-based violence and bullying prevention programs
Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- This strategy can help address educational disparities, promote healthy childhood environments, and prevent violence. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve these outcomes are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
- Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Program overview
- Interventions that aim to reduce bullying and victimization in school settings
- Programs generally seek to address disruptive behavior by teaching self-awareness, improving emotional self-control, building self-esteem, and/or increasing social problem-solving and conflict awareness ability
- Some interventions aim to increase positive involvement from bystanders or witnesses
- Programs can be implemented in grades K-12 and at various scales, ranging from school-wide, classroom-based, small group, and individualized approaches
- Outcomes
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High school graduationElementary and middle school successStable and healthy familiesSupportive neighborhoods
- Strategies
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School climate and student behaviorSchool-based supports for child health and well-being
- Target Population
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All school-aged children
- Cost per Participant
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Not available
Evidence and impacts
Ranked as having the highest level of evidence by the National Institute of Justice, County Health Rankings and Roadmaps
- Reduced violence among students
- Reduced victimization
- Increased bystander intervention to aid victims
- Reduced bullying
Best practices in implementation
- Note: This content is under review
- Programs implemented at the classroom level appear more effective than formal school policies against bullying or approaches that focus on specific bullies.
- Longer and more intense programs reduce bullying more than less intense programs.
- To deliver programs effectively, staff need training in behavioral techniques, counseling, talk therapy, group therapy, and/or conflict resolution
Learn more:
County Health Rankings and Roadmaps evidence overview of school-based violence and prevention programs
National Institute of Justice profile of school-based violence and bullying prevention programs
National Institute of Justice: "The effectiveness of school-based violence prevention programs for reducing disruptive and aggressive behavior"
"School-based violence prevention: Challenges and lessons learned from an action research project," Journal of School Psychology (2001)