Insights from Developing and Implementing a Novel School Community Collaborative Model to Promote School Safety^*

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSchool Resource Officer (SRO) programs do not reduce school violence and increase school discipline. We describe the use of a culturally responsive framework to form a school community collaborative among students, parents, staff, administrators, and law enforcement to reform an SRO program, promote school safety, and reduce punitive measures.METHODSMembers of a participating school district, a local county, and a university collaborated. Adapting an identified culturally responsive model, a racially/ethnically diverse school community co‐developed and implemented a School Community Collaborative (SCC) to address a school safety priority (SRO program reform). The main outcomes were SCC model development and implementation, policy change, and school community feedback.RESULTSSixteen community members participated in the 5‐week SCC with students, staff, law enforcement, and parents. The SCC revised the district's SRO memorandum of understanding (MOU) with law enforcement. Participants reported favorable feedback, and 89% reported the inclusion of diverse voices.CONCLUSIONSCo‐development and implementation of an SCC process with schools were feasible. School SCC participated in a community‐engaged evaluation and revision of an MOU.