Five WV schools in two counties have started implementing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program with funding from the WVDHHR’s Bureau for Behavioral Health.
Four schools in Fayette County’s Oak Hill Middle, Valley PK-8, Fayetteville PK-8, Meadowbridge Elementary/Middle, and Meadowbridge High have administered the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire (OBQ) and scheduled their first training pieces in early June. Elkins Middle School in Randolph County also finished the OBQ and will train their coordinating committee in early June.
Seven schools in four additional counties have committed to implementing the evidence-based program and will schedule the OBQ and coordinating committee trainings soon. Several additional WV schools have expressed interest and are working through the approval process, which includes signed agreements between Hazelden, Marshall University School Health TA Center (MUSHTAC), school and county project leads. Funding is provided for electronic subscriptions until June 2025 and trainer fees are complimentary with implementation agreements.
Twelve WV professionals are certified provisional trainers. They have been matched with schools or are in the matching process to continue the yearlong path toward national certification.
Funding is still available statewide for all expanded school mental health and project aware grant schools, but time is running out. Schools must have committed in writing and scheduled training dates for their lead teams by September 1st before all funds are exhausted, or all trainers are booked.
If you want more information, contact Tiffany Pittman or Crystal Criswell at MUSHTAC.