Counselor initiative & Student Support Services (CISSS)
Authorized Activities
Materials ordered must be based on research and the LEA must establish a mechanism for determining if program efforts are resulting in the desired outcomes as identified in district goals and objectives as described in the Principles of Effectiveness. Red Ribbons, food products or prizes cannot be paid from Title IV Funds.
The LEA may use Title IV funds for activities that comply with the Principles of Effectiveness.
Drug and violence prevention activities:
- Community-wide planning/organizing activities to reduce violence and illegal drug use, which may include gang activity prevention.
Expanded and improved school-based mental health services related to illegal drug use and violence.
Conflict resolution programs, including peer mediation programs that educate and train peer mediators and a designated faculty supervisor, and youth anti-crime and anti-drug councils and activities.
Alternative education programs or services for violent or drug abusing students that reduce the need for suspension or expulsion or that serve students who have been suspended or expelled from the regular educational settings, including programs or services to assist students to make continued progress toward meeting the State academic achievement standards and to reenter the regular education setting.
Student assistance programs (SAP)/practices for appropriate identification and intervention techniques for students at risk of violent behavior and illegal use of drugs.
Programs that encourage students to seek advice from, and to confide in, a trusted adult regarding concerns about violence and illegal drug use.
Drug and violence prevention activities designed to reduce truancy.
Age-appropriate, developmentally-based violence prevention and education programs that address victimization associated with prejudice and intolerance, and that include activities designed to help students develop a sense of individual responsibility and respect for the rights of others, and to resolve conflicts without violence.
Consistent with the fourth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the testing of a student for illegal drug use or the inspecting of a student's locker for weapons or illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, including at the request of or with the consent of a parent or legal guardian of the student, if the local educational agency elects to so test or inspect.
Emergency intervention services following traumatic crisis events that have disrupted the learning environment.
Establishing/implementing a system for transferring suspension and expulsion records, consistent with section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g).
Developing and implementing character education programs, as a component of drug and violence prevention programs.
Establishing and maintaining a school safety hotline.
Community service and service-learning projects.
Conducting a nationwide background check of each LEA employee, and prospective employees for the purpose of determining whether the employee or prospective employee has been convicted of a crime that bears upon the employee's fitness to be responsible for the safety or well-being of children; to serve in the particular capacity in which the employee or prospective employee is or will be employed; or to otherwise be employed by the LEA.
Programs to train school personnel to identify warning signs of youth suicide and to create an action plan to help youth at risk of suicide.
Programs that respond to the needs of students who are faced with domestic violence or child abuse.
- The evaluation of any of the activities authorized under this subsection and the collection of objective data used to assess program needs, program implementation, or program success in achieving program goals and objectives.
Security provisions:
- Acquiring and installing metal detectors, electronic locks, surveillance cameras, or other related equipment and technologies. Reporting criminal offenses committed on school property. Developing and implementing comprehensive school security plans or obtaining technical assistance. Supporting safe zones of passage activities that ensure that students travel safely to and from school, which may include bicycle and pedestrian safety programs.
- The hiring and mandatory training, based on scientific research, of school security personnel (including school resource officers) who interact with students in support of youth drug and violence prevention activities under this part that are implemented in the school.