Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's ASPIRE Program

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office (OCPO) began laying the ground work for Advocating for Safety, Progress, Inclusion, Respect and Empowerment (ASPIRE) in 2022 for the purpose of addressing the critical need for community engagement within Ocean County schools in response to various concerns; not limited to the necessity to decrease the number violent incidents and the production of an environment students feel safe in.  OCPO is requesting funds through the BJA FY24 STOP School Violence Program, Category 2, to expand ASPIRE by and through innovating trainings for adults and the expansion of The Challenge Day program for students. Said trainings are a collaborative effort between OCPO and the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). Trainings are specifically designed for school staff, administration, law enforcement, etc., and will be conducted four (4) times a year. Trainings will cover subject matter such as School Resource Trainings (Basic and Advanced), Adolescent Mental Health Training, and School Violence Prevention.  Simultaneously, the day-long, interactive Challenge Day program will be offered to every Ocean County high school and middle school (37 in total) to empower participants to recognize and raze walls of separation; shift dangerous peer pressure to positive peer support; reduce the acceptability of teasing, oppression, and all forms of violence. Moreover, 2NDFLOOR, a non-profit organization, has partnered with ASPIRE to provide confidential guidance and/counselling for students. Magnets with 2NDFLOOR’s contact information which will be placed in school lockers prior to the start of each school year in addition to supplementary materials handed out during Challenge Day.  OCPO, therefor anticipates a decrease in violent incidents within high schools & middle schools in Ocean County, in addition to an increase of community stakeholders educated in proper procedures and available resources as a direct result of ASPIRE.