Rapid City Area Schools have received a million-dollar grant to bolster local school safety. The money, and the associated changes, will be distributed over the next three school years.
The money is a part of the US Department of Justice Stop School Violence program and will promote school safety and expand student access to mental health resources.
Acting superintendent Cory Strasser said it will fund new social work positions within RCAS.
“Social workers typically deal with attendance and specifically truancy, so it’s a way for us to work in those realms – they just make a lot of connections on student safety and working with families," Strasser said. "We’re mostly concerned with how do we create a great learning environment?”
The district estimates these social workers and mental health services will reduce outside referrals for students by one-tenth.
Additionally, grant money will fund comprehensive staff, police, and student training. That training will include crisis intervention, bullying prevention, and cultural competency.
Strasser said it’s all to maximize resources at the district’s disposal.
“We know that there are concerns about violence in communities, and this is not just Rapid City," Strasser said. "This is across our state, across our nation. We want to be able to address concerns that come up – crisis, threats – whatever those things may be we want to be able to be proactive.”
Additionally, the district will establish a mental health first aid service and new behavioral intervention frameworks.