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Seattle Public Schools awarded $500,000 for youth safety, stopping school violence

SEATTLE — Seattle Public Schools was awarded a nearly $500,000 grant for youth safety and additional support for students, the Department of Justice announced Monday.

The grant is part of the STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program.

The DOJ funding is aimed at bolstering youth safety, combating gang activity and reducing racial disparities in the juvenile criminal justice system, U.S. Attorney Brian Moran said.

"These grants support efforts to intervene early and stop youth crime and violence before it damages our community. The grant to Seattle Public Schools may even save lives by stopping school violence before a tragedy happens," Moran said.

The money will provide students and teachers with training to allow them to recognize and respond quickly to violence. It was also help the district develop crisis intervention teams and an anonymous reporting system for individuals with mental health issues.

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