School-Based Partnerships: A Problem-Solving Strategy

• NCJ Number: 216230
• Author(s): Craig D. Uchida; Shellie Solomon; Charles M. Katz; Cynthia E. Pappas
• Date Published: October 2006
• Length: 35 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1999-CX-WX-K005
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded on November 9, 2006.

Annotation

This report presents findings from an assessment of the federally funded School-Based Partnerships (SBP) grant program examining the problem-solving process and the problem-solving process in action.

Abstract

Partnerships with key stakeholders were a primary objective of the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) sponsored School-Based Partnerships (SBP) program. The most successful partnerships had clear roles among participants with strategic goals and shared priorities. However, for some grantees too many partners, internal or extra-organizational conflicts, competing priorities, and limited resources proved challenging. Police indicated that certain partnerships were instrumental in developing a better understanding of problems in and around schools. Students provided excellent input regarding the problems and they tended to be more successful at retrieving information. School administrators and faculty assisted in policy change, provided program support, and organized programs beneficial to the problem-solving effort. School support personnel were key sources of information concerning problem identification and response development. Parents completed surveys, provided support, and gave insight on health issues. Local businesses provided information, financial, and /or political support. The COPS’ SBP grant program was created for the purpose of partnering law enforcement agencies with schools to address crime and disorder problems in and around middle and high schools. An assessment of the SBP program was conducted by Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. This report presents the results of this assessment utilizing surveys and case studies. It begins with a discussion on the problem-solving process which includes scanning, analysis, response, and assessment or SARA. It then discusses how this process is put into action by reviewing three SBP sites and their use of the SARA problem-solving process. A list of recommended readings is included.