Center for Safe Schools Launches New Toolkit to Help Parents and Educators Address Bullying

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Center for Safe Schools has partnered with the Highmark Foundation to produce the Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Toolkit that will help parents, educators and professionals serving youth prevent bullying and support children affected by it.

The toolkit is available in print and online and includes specific information about how to differentiate between bullying and conflict, how to respond to cyberbullying, and potential legal implications of bullying-type behaviors. In addition, it contains tools such as a step-by-step guide for connecting children to relevant assistance, a sample letter informing the school of a bullying incident, and a list of vetted resources on bullying prevention, intervention and support.

The new toolkit was supported with funding from the Highmark Foundation and developed by the Center for Safe Schools with input from an interdisciplinary group of stakeholders focused on identifying strategies for improving the availability of resources and supports for children affected by bullying. This group includes Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; along with other state agencies, nonprofit and public health organizations and parents.

"In addition to helping parents, the toolkit is especially valuable to schools that do not have bullying prevention programs in place and to agencies typically called upon in crisis situations," said Center for Safe Schools Director Lynn Cromley. "It ensures that families and various agencies have a fast-track to assessing and meeting needs when a bullying situation occurs."

The toolkit is a continuation of the Highmark Foundation's commitment to bullying prevention. Through Highmark Foundation funding, nearly 400 schools and approximately 210,000 students in Pennsylvania have had access to the research-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The toolkit extends the foundation's public health strategy by bringing information and resources related to bullying and bullying prevention to communities.

"The Highmark Foundation appreciates its continued partnership with the Center for Safe Schools. By working together we are helping to ensure the health and well being of all students," said Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook. "The toolkit will help achieve the Center for Safe Schools and the Foundation's shared goal of placing more adults in a position to help children so they can intervene appropriately in bullying situations."

"Pennsylvania leads the nation in the breadth and scope of its bullying prevention efforts. Together, the partners in this work are changing attitudes, behavior and practice through cultivating safe and nurturing schools and communities for Pennsylvania's children," Cromley added. 

To promote the new resource, the Center for Safe Schools will offer a webinar providing an introduction, content review and suggested uses of the toolkit. Besides parents and teachers, the Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Toolkit is designed as a resource for anyone working with youth – including childcare workers, healthcare professionals and coaches. The pre-recorded webinar will be available beginning January 23, 2012.

The Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Toolkit, introductory webinar along with other best-practice resources and information are available at www.SafeSchools.info.

About the Center for Safe Schools
The Center for Safe Schools is a statewide clearinghouse and technical assistance program for schools, law enforcement, parents and others on school safety and youth violence prevention. The Center coordinates bullying prevention trainings, resources and data management for the Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Network, one of the largest in the nation. For more information about the Center for Safe Schools, go to www.SafeSchools.info.

Contact:
Aylissa Kiely Tyndale
Center for Safe Schools
717-903-0219; 717-763-1661 x117
[email protected]

SOURCE Center for Safe Schools