LifeBridge Receives Nearly $1 Million for Violence Prevention

LifeBridge Community Services, a leading provider of behavioral health services in greater Bridgeport, has secured a nearly $1 million grant from the US Department of Justice’s STOP School Violence Grant Program.

Edith Boyle, LCSW, President and Chief Executive Officer explained, “Children who witness violence, or fear impending threats or uncertainty about their safety, are more likely to have difficulty in school, abuse substances, show aggression, have difficulty forming attachments and building relationships, experience mental health concerns, and are at risk of committing crimes once they reach adulthood. We are grateful that Congressman Jim Himes, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, and the US Department of Justice have supported these critical interventions.”

Bridgeport’s violent crime rate is 75% higher than the national average and has the highest number of family homicide victims in the state. Since schools resumed in-person learning post-pandemic, incidents involving weapons increased by 79% and physical/verbal confrontations increased by 38% statewide. In addition to violence and safety, access to mental health services has emerged as one of the top issues of greatest concern in the Bridgeport region to reduce the prevalence of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

“This funding will provide students at Bassick, Central, and Warren Harding High Schools expanded access to mental health services, despite the district’s budget challenges. This partnership will help to ensure vital programs are maintained,” said Acting Bridgeport Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Royce Avery.

The project will use the Trauma-Informed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support framework to help mitigate risk factors by implementing age-appropriate, evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programming for students, providing Community Resiliency Model (CRM) training for educators and administrators, and expanding access to mental health services.

Congressman Himes said, “LifeBridge understands that reducing violence in schools begins with mental and emotional support for struggling students. They will provide behavioral health counseling and social and emotional learning (SEL) resources for students and de-escalation training for educators.”