Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS) Funding and Resources

Provides students with improved access to a well-rounded education, better school conditions for student learning, and increased use of technology to raise academic achievement and digital literacy. Includes alcohol and drug education and prevention efforts as well as professional development and training for school personnel and community members to identify and address substance misuse.

Funds to develop and implement community- and school-based strategies to prevent and mitigate the harm of community violence. Strengthens school's capacity to prevent violence and address trauma, anxiety, depression, delinquency, and other physical, psychological, and emotional harms related to students' exposure to violence. Helps schools provide training, staff, and resources to increase students' access to culturally adapted, trauma-informed mental health services and other supports.

Enhances school climate, creating safer, healthier, more engaging and supportive environments for students. Supports the development and implementation of programs using evidence-based multi-tiered frameworks to improve learning conditions and behavioral outcomes and provides training and technical assistance to schools. Prioritizes local educational agencies (LEAs) in rural and tribal areas and gives competitive preference to projects that address the prevention and the impacts of opioid misuse.

Fact sheet detailing a 6-step planning process to help schools and institutions of higher education develop or update emergency operation plans (EOPs) to address overdose and other potential threats and issues resulting from fentanyl and opioid misuse. Discusses the 5 mission areas of preparedness for opioid-related emergencies and the effects of the opioid crisis on school-aged children, young adults, and school safety. Includes links to additional resources and information to aid in the development of school EOPs, and programs and activities to prepare for and respond to an opioid overdose.

Delivers information, resources, technical assistance, and training to K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning to assess school climate, implement evidence-based programs to improve learning conditions, and measure outcomes in 3 core areas: providing a well-rounded education, improving the safety and health of students, and improving the effective use of technology. Offers multiple products, policy guides, toolkits, research, media, online events and training related to issues of substance and opioid misuse for students, families, schools, and communities.