Hamilton County Schools FY24 STOP School Violence Project

Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will implement a comprehensive culture and climate initiative to improve school climate and reduce school violence, substance use, and disproportionate exclusionary discipline. The goals of the proposed project are to establish a safe, positive school environment that promotes overall wellbeing and empowerment of students; reduce disproportionality in exclusionary discipline, chronic absenteeism, and bullying; and reduce vaping among students. To accomplish these goals, Hamilton County Schools will implement a comprehensive, multifaceted approach emphasizing school culture, climate, and belonging. Hamilton County Schools will partner with the Hamilton County Health Department to develop and implement this initiative. Activities will include performing culture walk-throughs of schools; providing culture of care professional development opportunities for educators; establishing culture and climate committees to lead the charge in improving school climate; and developing a targeted anti-vaping initiative to combat this increasingly widespread, dangerous trend in schools.