BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
Terry Koehne, Chief Communications Officer for the Contra Costa County Office of Education and Paula Fynboh, the Sandy Hook Promise National Field Director, will present the Contra Costa County Office of Education's upcoming county-wide school safety initiative. The Contra Costa County Office of Education has recently partnered with Sandy Hook Promise, whose mission is to prevent gun violence on school campuses. They approach this from a comprehensive, holistic perspective with a heavy emphasis on student mental wellness. It is a comprehensive and evidence-based student mental health approach. Sandy Hook Promise is a national non-profit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Their intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning tragedy into a moment of transformation by providing programs and practices that protect children from gun violence.
Sandy Hook Promise works to build a national movement of parents, schools and community organizations engaged and empowered to deliver gun violence prevention programs and mobilize for the passage of sensible state and national policy. They will accomplish this by:
1. Building A National Base by attracting, educating and engaging parents, schools and community organizations to join SHP through social media, advertising, speaking engagements, major events and initiatives.
2. Organizing at a Community Level by identifying, training and empowering volunteer “Promise Leaders” to raise awareness, educate and deliver programs to help prevent gun violence in their community.
3. Developing and Delivering Mental Health & Wellness Programs that identify, intervene and help at-risk individuals and gun safety practices that ensure firearms are kept safe and secure.
4. Advocating for State and Federal Policy by mobilizing and leveraging our national base and Promise Leaders for the passage of sensible mental health & wellness and gun
safety laws.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Sandy Hook Promise is committed to driving and sustaining positive change that results in the protection of children from gun violence through prevention.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
Speakers: Pat Frost, National Pediatric Disaster Coalition, expressed her support of the tools and resources provided by the program.