Bullying prevention program funded

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, funded by a four-year grant from the Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), is now operating in all Potter County school districts.

The program is in its second year, with several school districts agreeing to expand the program to lower elementary school grades not originally included in the grant application.

Program Coordinators Debbie Hamilton and Leon Kaple oversee implementation in schools. Ellen Shinn is the director.

This program has been found through research to have measurable impacts on a specific target population (in this case, middle school youth.) Technical assistance is provided through the Penn State Prevention Research Center and through a certified Olweus training consultant.

Overall goals of the program are to reduce bullying incidents in schools and to improve school climates so that bullying is less likely to occur. This program is a component of Potter County's Teen Suicide Prevention Initiative.