Kids First Law Center

KIDS FIRST LAW CENTER WILL IMPLEMENT THE BUILDING SAFER SCHOOLS: EXPANDING INTERVENTION SERVICES TO SUPPORT CHILD VICTIMS, PREVENT VIOLENCE, AND HOLD OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE PROJECT. THE PURPOSE IS TO EXPAND EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION SERVICES TO PREVENT AND INTERVENE IN YOUTH VIOLENCE BY ENHANCING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILD VICTIMS, INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOUTH OFFENDERS, AND BUILDING CRITICAL PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA. THE PROJECT ADDRESSES A CRITICAL NEED WHERE THE RATE OF FIREARM-CAUSED HOMICIDES FOR CHILDREN AGES 1020 IS 2.92 TIMES THE STATE AVERAGE. THE PROJECT WILL EXPAND TO SERVE STUDENTS IN THECEDAR RAPIDS PREP AND COLLEGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UNSERVED SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THE HIGHEST NEED. KIDS FIRST WILL DEPLOY FACILITATORS AT BOTH SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT INTERVENTION SERVICES WITH A FOCUS ON CHILDREN UNDER AGE 14 TO INTERVENE EARLIER AND MORE SUCCESSFULLY. FACILITATORS STATIONED ON-SITE WILL CONDUCT MEDIATIONBETWEEN STUDENTS IN CONFLICT, PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORTIVE SESSIONS TO CHILDREN EXPOSED TO AND ENGAGED IN VIOLENCE, AND FACILITATE PROACTIVE COMMUNITY CIRCLES. KIDS FIRST WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM MEETINGS AND IDENTIFY THE STUDENTS MOST AT RISK OF ENGAGINGIN VIOLENT CRIME FOR MORE INTENSIVE SUPPORT. THE PROJECT WILL SERVE AT LEAST 300 STUDENTS AND CONDUCT 600 STUDENT-STUDENT CIRCLES ANNUALLY. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STUDENTS CAUGHT IN CONFLICT WHO ARE AT HIGHEST RISK FOR SCHOOL FAILURE, DROPOUT, AND INVOLVEMENT IN GUN VIOLENCE. THE PROJECT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EXISTING STAND UP FOR PEACE MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE PLANNING TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUVENILE COURT, AND LOCAL NONPROFITS.