The Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University (CSCD@RU) which provides technical assistance, networking and evaluation services to help educators ensure that children are nurtured in safe and caring schools, guided by agreed upon core ethical values. What is unique about this website is a wealth of best practice resources and spotlighted programs developed by schools participating in CSCD@RU projects and a process/framework for program development by school teams. The project website includes:

Visit the Center for Social & Character Development website by clicking here

The Rutgers Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Project website provides technical assistance and training for Title IV-A (The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act) and the Unsafe School Choice Option Policy (USCO), both of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The project website includes tools, tips, and resources for educators, community organizations, government agencies, and other prevention professionals on comprehensive alcohol, tobacco, drug, and violence prevention programs.

Visit the Rutgers Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Project website by clicking here, which includes:

A searchable database of evidence-based prevention programs; A detailed calendar of professional development opportunities; Workshop handouts and videos; Community and web resources; Tools for the development and implementation of policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB); and Strategies in creating safe learning environments for New Jersey schools.

The Developing Safe and Civil Schools: A Coordinated Approach for Social-Emotional and Character Development (DSACS) initiative is designed to help participating schools reduce violence, improve school climate, and increase students' academic success by training and supporting school teams in the organization and coordination of their school's existing social-emotional and character development (SECD) efforts. Technical assistance is provided to school staff, at no cost, on addressing the essential factors for creating safe, civil school climates that are conducive to learning and growth free of charge.

Visit www.TeachSECD.com by clicking here

The DSACS initiative is aligned with and can assist districts in meeting the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A-16-7.1, Code of student conduct; the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC), which is the States school monitoring system; and the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3, Comprehensive Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse Programs, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.9, Intimidation, harassment and bullying, and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.8, Attendance, which includes the requirements for addressing unexcused student absences and student truancies.

Visit the www.TeachSECD.com website by clicking here which includes:

Best Practices - A data base of best practices in SECD, problem behavior prevention, and character education
What is the Virtual Campus? Assistance with website navigation
What are DSACS and SECD?
Events, Announcements and Registration
Downloads and Networking Opportunities
SECD Coordination Tool Kit
Links to an SECD Blog
The SECD Screening Room - Videos of SECD in action in schools and with parents, as well as illustrations of specific SECD approaches
Challenges and Solutions - Ongoing discussion of issues identified by SECD implementers, such as resistant staff, integrating SECD into classroom management and academic instruction, putting out fires, involving parents and other community members and organizations, and articulating core themes and values


Funds for Developing Safe and Civil Schools were provided in full by the New Jersey Department of Education under a grant from the United States Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of the No Child Left Behind Act.