BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Office of Education, in collaboration with the Oroville Union High School District, Palermo Union Elementary School District, Pioneer Union Elementary School District, and Golden Feather Union Elementary School District, proudly announces the recent achievement of receiving the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act-Stronger Connections Grant.

This significant grant, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Local Educational Agencies (LEA), will further empower our educational institutions to build safer and healthier learning environments. The program’s primary focus is on preventing and addressing acts of violence, bullying, and harassment, nurturing mental health needs, and fostering a positive school climate and culture.

Dr. Corey Willenberg, superintendent of Oroville Union High School District, stated, “The Oroville Union High School District is a proud partner in the Safer Communities Act-Stronger Connections Grant. Collaboration with the Butte County Office of Education and school districts in Butte County allows us to provide much-needed services to our students that address barriers that prevent students from learning and accessing learning.”

The multi-district team will provide crucial support for universal and supplemental services while laying the groundwork for interventions to reinforce the goals and actions outlined in the consortium’s Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs). Although the member schools in the consortium are demographically unique, they share a common challenge of facing multiple disasters, community violence, high crime rates, and challenges such as chronic absenteeism and elevated Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scores. Despite these obstacles, we stand united, committed to overcoming these hurdles and providing the support our community needs.

The grant is especially important for the small, rural school districts that will be able to provide assistance to students in need. “This grant offers the opportunity for small rural districts to obtain services that larger districts have had access to for some time,” shares Patsy Oxford, superintendent of Pioneer Union Elementary School District. “This will have a huge impact on our students, staff, families, and the community as a whole. We are very excited and grateful to be a part of this project.”

The impact on our students has been profound, leading to increased efforts to disconnect from school, elevated feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and challenges such as heightened rates of suicide and substance abuse. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act-Stronger Connections Grant will be instrumental in addressing these challenges by creating a sustainable solution, including a locally-sourced workforce to build the vital mental health infrastructure needed in our community.

“The Golden Feather Union Elementary School District is excited about the positive impact this grant will have on students at the Concow School at Spring Valley campus. Onboarding a dedicated wellness coach at Spring Valley aligns with our mission to enhance the holistic well-being of our school community,” shares Josh Peete, superintendent of the Golden Feather Union Elementary School District.

This grant marks a new chapter in our collective journey toward fostering hope and resilience. By establishing a paradigm shift in mental health support delivery within our community, we are confident that we will exceed the growing needs of our students, staff, and community. This grant will facilitate the creation of a locally sourced workforce dedicated to building the necessary mental health infrastructure.

The goal is to transform the delivery of mental health support by establishing a new paradigm within our community. The team will also leverage the California Educators Together platform to provide school staff with a repository of resources and training modules.

Michelle Zevely, associate superintendent of student programs & educational support at the Butte County Office of Education, expressed, “This grant represents a transformative moment for our educational community. It propels us towards our commitment to fostering resilience, promoting mental well-being, and building a foundation for success for every member of our community.”

In celebrating this achievement, the Butte County Office of Education and its partner districts extend a warm invitation to members of the press and community to join in commemorating this milestone. Together, we look forward to building safer, healthier, and more supportive learning environments where students feel connected and have a profound sense of belonging. Your support is invaluable as we work towards a brighter, more resilient future.