COPS – Secure Our Schools

Funder: Department of Justice
Amount: $84,032
Funding Period: 8/01/2006 – 8/31/2008

Mott Middle College High School (MMCHS), located on the campus of Mott Community College (MCC), is a partnership between MCC, the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) and Flint Community Schools. MMCHS provides students with an educational experience focused on re-engaging them in the learning process, success in completing school, and preparing them to go onto higher education. The principles of the MMCHS are based on the desired outcome of addressing the needs of at-risk students in a way that prepares them not only academically, but to be healthy adults who make healthy lifestyle choices.

The COPS – Secure Our Schools Program builds upon the existing safety and security plan at the high school by increasing knowledge about safety issues through training of students, instructors and staff; enhancing MMCHS’s safety equipment; and employing a “Safety Advocate” who will works closely with MMCHS staff and public safety officers to further prevent unsafe and unlawful activity. The grant program allowed MCC to purchase six (6) radios to improve communication between MCC public safety officers and two officers working within the high school; install ten (10) cameras in areas where there is a higher risk for solicitation of or violence against MMCHS students; and purchase two (2) hand-held metal detectors to provide greater security at school events.

The training aspects of the program consist of conducting “train the trainer” sessions for MMCHS instructors and staff on the issues of drug use prevention, bullying, gang violence, violence against women including date rape, and maintaining a secure school environment. Information gained through training will be provided at new employee orientations as well as integrated into instruction and curriculum. Secondly, a student driven Secure our Schools (SOS) education program will be developed that includes a) the engagement of students in identifying issues and approaches; 2) training a corps group of students to serve as models and heighten awareness on the campus; and, 3) a training mechanism for future students so that the knowledge remains when senior students graduate. In addition, an annual SOS Institute at MMCHS will be conducted that includes forums, resources, training and other activities to raise awareness of safety and security issues and provide tools for students to feel more effective in making better choices and minimizing their personal risks.

Lastly, the program provides for a Safety Advocate who will 1) serve as a liaison between students, instructors and staff; 2) support the efforts of the police officers at the high school; and 3) engage students using “teachable moments” and extra-curricula activities to reinforce the education imparted by the SOS Student Safety Corps and the SOS Institute.