Closing Using Federal Stimulus Funds To Purchase the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Sue Thomas, Manager, Business Development, Hazelden Publishing © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing This Presentation Will…  Provide an overview of the types and amounts of federal stimulus funds coming into states  Describe how these stimulus funds MAY be used to purchase OBPP  Describe how OBPP compliments PBIS, a major focus of stimulus funding © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing A Word of Caution School districts may or may NOT be able to use stimulus funds to pay for OBPP—this is decided by the state and district. We will at least give them the tools they can use to advocate for this. © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding In early 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Providing an unprecedented amount of money to help the states © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding Of the total $787 billion ARRA package: $575 billion is dedicated for spending, which includes: o $105 billion for education related programs o $90 billion for Medicaid o $51 billion for Energy & Water o $48 billion for Transportation o $39 billion for Unemployment o $25 billion for Health Insurance © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding  In most cases, these funds are funneled through the state governor to the state’s educational agency (SEA) (typically the state department of education)  The SEA then distributes the funds to the local educational agencies (LEAs) (typically a school district, but I believe private schools can receive funding as well)  They are trying to distribute these funds as quickly as possible  School districts can decide what they want to do with the money, but the state SEA has to approve these expenditures; in some cases SEAs are actually mandating programs © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding Four Key Principles in Awarding ARRA Funds # 1: Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs. # 2: Ensure transparency, reporting and accountability. # 3: Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the “funding cliff.” # 4: Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform. © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding How OBPP helps meet Principle # 1: Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs.  Over 600 Olweus trainers are readily available  We have several OBPP TOTs per year  Product can be shipped quickly  Program guides provide easy steps to take to get the program started right away © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding How OBPP helps meet Principle # 2: Ensure transparency, reporting and accountability  Olweus questionnaire and report provides accountability and reporting  Olweus trainer mentors schools for one year, providing accountability and reporting  Community and parents are involved in OBPP, providing accountability © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding How OBPP helps meet Principle # 3: Invest one- time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the “funding cliff.”  Except for the questionnaire, OBPP product and training are a one-time purchase  OBPP is a long-term solution that becomes part of “how you do school” © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing An Overview on the Stimulus Funding How OBPP helps meet Principle # 4: Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform  Bullying affects school climate and safety  When children don’t feel safe in school, they have a harder time learning and achieving  Bullying causes an increase in school absenteeism among children who are bullied © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Specific Stimulus Funding These are the main stimulus funds that MAY be used to fund OBPP  Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  Part A of Title I funding  Possibly State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Specific Stimulus Funding Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  Students with disabilities are at increased risk for bullying—affects their learning  ARRA giving $ 11.3 billion to this fund nationally  50% distributed to state SEAs in April 09, 50% distributed in September 09, funds need to be obligated by LEAs by September 2011 © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Specific Stimulus Funding Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  Funds will be allocated to schools based on the same formulas that have been used to fund their annual IDEA amounts.  Stimulus funds are added on top of general IDEA funds.  Main coordinator of these funds most likely will be the district Special Education Director or District Superintendent.  Any proposals advocating for OBPP must clearly show how children with disabilities will benefit academically, behaviorally and emotionally. © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing IDEA Criteria and OBPP IDEA funds can be used to provide technical assistance, professional development and training  OBPP provides 2-day school committee training, 1 full day of all staff training—focused professional development  Schools can send people to an OBPP TOT  Olweus trainers provide technical assistance for one year © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing IDEA Criteria and OBPP IDEA funds can be used to provide positive behavioral interventions and supports and appropriate mental health services for children with disabilities  OBPP is a positive behavioral intervention  OBPP addresses a serious school issue that affects the mental health of bullied students, bullying students, and bystanders  OBPP is very compatible with Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing IDEA Criteria and OBPP IDEA funds can support capacity building activities and improve delivery of services to improve results with children with disabilities  OBPP is a schoolwide program that helps build capacity of staff and resources to address school climate  OBPP improves the school’s delivery of violence prevention efforts © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing IDEA Criteria and OBPP Example Uses that ARRA have given: IDEA funds can be used to establish data systems and using data for improvement  The Olweus Bullying Questionnaire is a great data collection system  Data from the questionnaire can be used to make improvements in school policies and program implementation © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing IDEA Criteria and OBPP IDEA funds can be used to increase teacher effectiveness, particularly the use of evidence- based schoolwide strategies to support positive behavioral supports  OBPP helps teachers create a class climate where learning can best occur  OBPP teaches teachers how to intervene in bullying situations, so they can be stopped at an early stage © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing IDEA Criteria and OBPP IDEA funds can be used to improve results for all students  Because OBPP is a schoolwide program, it creates a positive school climate for ALL students  OBPP helps keep children in school, so they can achieve academically © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Part A of Title I Funding  Funding helps increase the performance of schools with high poverty  ARRA giving $ 10 billion to this fund  50% distributed to state SEAs in April 09, 50% distributed in Summer/Fall 09, funds need to be obligated by LEAs by September 2011 © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Part A of Title I Funding  Funding being provided through same formulas as standard Title I funding  Main coordinator at the school level is most likely the Director of Title I or the district superintendent  Funding can only be used by schools that qualify for Title I funding © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Criteria for Part A/Title I and OBPP Title I funds can be used to implement evidence- based programs that build sustainable capacity for improving learning  OBPP is evidence-based  OBPP builds capacity for the whole school  OBPP is sustainable over time  Addressing bullying can improve learning © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Criteria for Part A/Title I and OBPP Title I funds can be used to coordinate and integrate federal, state and local programs, including violence prevention programs  OBPP is recognized by the federal government  Many state and local level leaders are advocating for OBPP  OBPP is the most researched and highly effective violence prevention program © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Criteria for Part A/Title I and OBPP Title I funds can be used to provide professional development for teachers, pupil services staff, other staff and parents  As part of OBPP, all of these people receive training and professional development  OBPP also has other resources, besides training, to give people professional development © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Criteria for Part A/Title I and OBPP Title I funds can be used to implement scientifically based programs that address specific instructional issues that are identified in their school improvement goals  OBPP is scientifically based  OBPP addresses a core issue that often causes schools not to perform well © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Criteria for Part A/Title I and OBPP Title I funds can be used to implement a curriculum, with professional development, that is scientifically based programs and shows substantial promise of improving educational achievement of low-achieving students © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Criteria for Part A/Title I and OBPP Title I funds can be used to implement programs and procedures for the involvement of parents, including meaningful consultation with parents  OBPP involves parents at the schoolwide, classroom, and individual level  Parents are given resources so they can partner with schools in addressing bullying © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing SFSF—One Other Possible Funding Source State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF)  $ 53.6 billion in funds in ARRA  States apply for this funding by giving assurances of compliance  Money mainly used to avoid teacher layoffs and to improve school buildings  Funding MAY be available to address public safety, improve academic achievement, and strengthen teacher effectiveness © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing SFSF—One Other Possible Funding Source State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF)  Schools MAY or MAY NOT be able to use SFSF funds to support OBPP  Check with the district’s superintendent  Any leftover monies in SFSF will be rolled into the Title I funding © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports ARRA is focusing a lot of attention on schools using a program called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to meet IDEA requirements © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports PBIS and OBPP are mutually compatible in these ways:  Both focus on positive ways to address behavior  Both are school-wide, systems change programs  Both have a system to collect data  Both recommend the school create a leadership team and do schoolwide planning  Both are multi-year programs that require buy-in © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports PBIS and OBPP are mutually compatible in these ways:  Both provide training for all teachers, as well as, ongoing learning  Both use clear consequences for negative behavior  Both recommend using class time to focus on behavior education  Both recommend using suspension or expulsion as a last resort © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports How Could PBIS and OBPP Work Together?  Have a single leadership team that works on both programs  Use staff discussion groups as time to teach on both programs  Use class meetings to teach on both programs © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Final Thoughts…  Schools May or May NOT be able to use funds for OBPP, but we can give them the tools to advocate for it.  Please feel free to send the printed materials out to people electronically as needed  We will be working with state coordinators to help them advocate for OBPP at the state level © Hazelden Foundation, 2009

Closing Final Thoughts… Any Questions? © Hazelden Foundation, 2009