MNPS Preventing School Violence Project

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) is comprised of 159 schools serving over 81,500 students. We are experiencing a year of expanding resources and needs after 18 months of COVID limitations and other significant community traumas, including tornadoes, civil unrest, and a bombing.  MNPS is well-versed and well-staffed in cutting-edge evidence-based education practices, including trauma-informed care, community schools, and partnerships that enable wraparound services for students and families. The district currently supports 46 Community Achieves Schools focused on linking students and families to enrichment opportunities and vital community resources. While this intensive effort expands organically, MNPS seeks a technology solution to make it easier for all MNPS families and students to access resources and ask for help when they need it. The procured help app will have a fully functional “anonymous reporting” option, but it will be provided through a trauma-sensitive lens as a “Help App.” The app will have several functions and resources, but the two primary purposes are:   1.  To make it easier for students and parents to find resources they need to reduce adverse childhood experiences/trauma; and,   2.  To become comfortable with the help app so that—should they ever need help in a crisis—they automatically feel safe turning to the district and this resource.   Children with a history of adverse childhood experience exposures (ACEs) are at increased risk of becoming involved in crime and violence. MNPS seeks to disrupt this trajectory by providing innovative technology to make all available resources easily accessed with the dignity and privacy all people deserve.