Bucks County Foundation gives $10K to NOVA for student support programs

Network of Victim Assistance’s innovative support programs for students with development disabilities were funded recently through a $10,000 grant from the Bucks County Foundation.

Safety Matters provides a multi-lesson, practice-informed and interactive personal safety education program for children ages 7-12 with developmental disabilities. It focuses on personal boundaries, safe and unsafe touches and requests, public and private places, appropriate non-compliance and how to seek help when needed.

Pathways to Healthy Relationships, an interactive, multi-session, life-skills program, is designed to enhance social skills and interpersonal safety and to support students ages 13-17 with developmental disabilities as they transition into young adulthood. Topics include friendship, dealing with bullying, dating, online and offline communication, dealing with conflict and resources for support.

“With limited funding for education, NOVA has been unable to meet the demand for this specialized programming,” said Barbara Clark, NOVA’s executive director, “since delivering Safety Matters and Pathways to Healthy Relationships to young people with disabilities requires more intensive involvement by staff, as well as multiple sessions and smaller classes.

“We’re very grateful to the Bucks County Foundation for its generous support of these important programs.”

Shown in photo: Tory Baram, NOVA educator, works with students with developmental disabilities using NOVA’s innovative specialized programming.