Stronger Connections Grant

Scottsbluff Public Schools Awarded $255,000 Stronger Connections Grant for Safety and Security

On October 6, the Nebraska Department of Education awarded a $255,000 Stronger Connections Grant for Safety and Security to Scottsbluff Public Schools. The purpose of the Stronger Connections Grant is to establish and support safer and healthier learning environments in school communities and Local Education Agencies (LEA) with demonstrated need. Dr. Wendy Kemling, SBPS Executive Director of Student Services, led the grant writing effort and will oversee its implementation.

“I am so thankful that we have been awarded these grant funds to further our ability to focus on the safety of our schools,” said Dr. Wendy Kemling-Horner, Executive Director of Student Services. “This grant will allow us to enhance our efforts to continue to meet the needs of ‘Every Child, Every Day’ by providing safe and supportive learning environments for all Scottsbluff students. “

The Stronger Connections Grant aims to provide funding for Nebraska LEAs to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive approach that prioritizes physical and emotional safety for their unique school community. At SBPS, the grant dollars will fund training and professional development on physical and emotional safety strategies pertaining to discipline, threat assessment training, restorative practices, and more.

Including this recently received award, SBPS has received over $11.7M in competitive grant funding over the past five years. Additional competitive grants received by the District include the Sixpence Grant for Early Childhood Education, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers After School Program Grants at all in-town elementary schools, expansion grants for Bear Cub Preschool, Federal School Climate Grant funds received districtwide, the School-Based Mental Health Grant, the Nebraska Educator Shortage Grant, and the Innovation Grant received for Career Academies at Scottsbluff High School