Stop School Violence Program

Program Overview

The Cabarrus Health Alliance, via a 3-year grant award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is implementing the Stop School Violence Program in partnership with the Kannapolis City and Cabarrus County Schools districts. The goals of the program are to Reduce and Prevent school violence through utilizing a two-phased approach focusing on Building Resiliency (Phase I) and Cultivating Restorative Practices and Conferencing (Phase II). This will be achieved through a series of innovative trainings and follow-up technical assistance opportunities targeted at educators and administrators that focus on universal and intensive classroom-based approaches found effective in improving overall school climate. 

To assist in the successful implementation of Phase I of this program, the organization, Resources for Resilience have partnered with the Cabarrus Health Alliance to provide the educator and administrator training sessions on “Reconnect for Resilience”.  Reconnect for Resilience is a trauma-informed and resiliency-focused program that teaches educators and administrators about the biological effects of stress and trauma, and promotes a culture of resilience in homes, workplaces, and communities. It also introduces practical strategies that can be used by anyone to self-regulate, restore self-compassion, and re-connect to others. 

The implementation of Phase II of this program is achieved through partnership the organization, Nashville STARS to provide the educator and administrator training sessions on “Restorative Practices Restorative Circles and Conferencing”. Nashville STARS’ mission is to help all young people pursue their unlimited potential. STARS has served some of our most disenfranchised populations by providing school-based prevention and intervention services, as well as intensive outpatient treatment services for adolescents with substance use and co-occurring disorders.

Program Objectives

•    Train educators in the Reconnect for Resilience process

•    Train educators in the Restorative Practices framework

•    Provide technical assistance for the implementation of learned practices in the classroom and school community

Program Outcomes

•    Reduce rates of bullying, harassment, and victimization in middle school

•    Decrease the number of school office referrals for violent occurrences

•    Improve overall school climate and create a safe learning environment

Program Staff

Martil L. Cosper, MSW
STOP Program Coordinator
Martil.Cosper@CabarrusHealth.org