REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Report - New 4th Grade Program (BRAVE) in Partnership with Santa Clara Unified School District
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education America (D.A.R.E.) program was developed in 1983 in response to the War on Drugs and to Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” philosophy.
For approximately 40 years, the Police Department has maintained a non-enforcement related presence within the local private and public schools to offer D.A.R.E. in 5th grade classrooms. The program taught youth to lead safe, healthy and responsible drug-free lives. Meanwhile, the Police Department has focused on building trust, breaking down barriers, promoting a sense of community between young people and law enforcement. In turn, D.A.R.E. has served as the conduit to open dialogue and establish partnerships between law enforcement and teachers/school administrators, as well as actively engage with the youth in the community and their families.
DISCUSSION
Over the years, there have been inquiries about the effectiveness of the D.A.R.E. curriculum, particularly the pace at which it reflects the evolving laws (e.g., growth, sales, and use of marijuana; vaping) and changing experiences and attitudes of young people (e.g., body image, cyberbullying, pornography/sex trafficking/sexting, school shootings, etc.). All D.A.R.E. content is proprietary and may not be altered without written permission from D.A.R.E. America.
Today’s children face an ever-growing set of obstacles and dangers driven by a range of social, economic, environmental and psychological factors. Largely as a result of the pandemic, Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) staff and administrators shared their concerns surrounding new challenges faced by students and the resulting behaviors being exhibited in the classroom.
Preliminary discussions between SCUSD, Police Department and the curriculum development vendor, revealed a number of post-pandemic effects on students after schools were abruptly closed (e.g., learning loss, truancy, increased absenteeism, negative student behavior). Student behavior issues are also being experienced at earlier ages, with students of families dealing with depression, stress or anxiety, making it an obstacle for success in school.
Through this dialogue, Building Respect and Awareness through Education (BRAVE) was conceptualized. This new Pilot Program will serve twenty 4th grader classrooms over the 2024/25 school year on topics such as responsibility, communication, peer pressure, bullying, cybersecurity and safety, and substance awareness. The curriculum, developed and tailored to meet the needs of Santa Clara youth, will be delivered by police officers using lessons plans developed in concert with SCUSD personnel, in addition to interactive scenarios, videos and a workbook. The School District will be administering pre and post-tests to evaluate this interactive Pilot Program for critical thinking, decision-making skills and topics that foster the social emotional development, mental health and well-being students need to thrive.
The purpose of tonight's presentation is to advise the City Council of the launch of this new BRAVE program and to introduce the Police Department’s mascot, “Walsh” to be utilized in BRAVE and other community events.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The supply costs and staffing for the Pilot Program will be charged to its Fiscal Year 2024/25 Operating Budget as there is sufficient funding for these program costs.
Should a school district express an interest in implementing the BRAVE program beyond the pilot year, the City will negotiate a cost-sharing agreement based on a per-classroom cost to provide the program. This would allow for both public and private schools to receive the BRAVE program.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department, City Attorney’s Office and Police Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file this informational report regarding the implementation of the BRAVE pilot program with the Santa Clara Unified School District for the 2024/25 school year
Staff
Reviewed by: Pat Nikolai, Chief of Police
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. BRAVE logo
2. Police Department mascot