WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) announced a $602,148 Department of Justice (DOJ) award for the Collingswood Public School District to support evidence-based strategies that prevent student violence and keeps students safe.

“As a father and a grandfather, I know that school safety is top of mind for South Jersey families, students, and teachers,” said Rep. Norcross. “No child should go to school fearing for their safety and no parent should be worried about their child’s safety while at school. School safety is a collaborative effort, and this federal funding will give Collingswood Public School District more tools to prevent violence, support teachers, and keep students safe. I will continue to fight to provide school officials and law enforcement officials with the tools and resources they need to keep our children safe.” 

The DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance seeks to help districts improve K-12 school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence and ensure a positive school climate.

“In Collingswood Public School District, we are committed to equipping our schools with the resources and tools needed to positively impact school culture and student safety. We are thankful to Rep. Norcross and his office for the continued advocacy for South Jersey schools and to all of the Collingswood faculty and staff who helped secure these much-needed funds from the Department of Justice,” said Collingswood Public School District superintendent Dr. Fredrick McDowell.

The STOP School Violence Program is administered by the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and provides grants to state, local, and tribal government to prevent student violence by training school personnel and educating students, developing technology solutions, coordinating with law enforcement agencies, establishing threat assessment and intervention teams, and expanding mental health crisis training.  

Award recipients must use evidence-based strategies such as those identified in the National Institute of Justice's Comprehensive School Safety Initiative.   

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