Department of Justice Awards $1 Million to NEWESD 101 to Enhance School Safety in Eastern Washington

Spokane, Washington - Vanessa Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a Department of Justice grant award for the NorthEast Washington Educational Service District (NEWESD) 101. The grant allocates $1,000,000 to enhance safety and support for 59 public school districts, 45 state-approved private schools, and four charter schools in a seven-county region.

Funding for the grant comes from the Bureau of Justice Assistance fiscal year 2024 STOP School Violence Program. The project description for the $1,000,000 grant awarded to NEWESD 101 details that the money will be used for The Safer Schools Northeast Project. The project will include annual threat assessment training for school staff, law enforcement and community partners, as well as hosting an annual School Safety Summit to provide advanced training and the latest research on school safety. The project will also implement a bystander training program to educate students and staff on recognizing and reporting concerning behaviors.

"All children deserve the right to attend school and learn in a secure environment. Teachers should be free to do the critical work of educating students without fear for their safety," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "This award will be used to ensure educators, administrators, and law enforcement in our communities have the most effective tools to recognize and respond to concerning behaviors or threats to protect our students, teachers and community."

"Thanks to the Department of Justice's STOP grant award, NEWESD 101 can sustain and expand essential school safety support for districts across northeast Washington state," said Brittany Roetcisoender, Director of the Center for Student Support and Regional School Safety Center for the NorthEast Washington Educational Service District (NEWESD) 101. "This funding will enhance Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management, promote Bystander Awareness among students and staff, and support an annual School Safety Summit, providing educators, law enforcement, counselors and school safety personnel with the latest information, training and resources."

Additional information about grants and funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding.