SDFSC -- About Us

Mission Statement

Our mission is to guide and assist New Jersey schools, the New Jersey Department of Education and community agencies in the development and implementation of strategies to support safe and drug-free school learning environments.

The Project

The Rutgers Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Project is a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and the Center for Applied Psychology (CAP) at Rutgers University. This initiative is designed to provide consultation to NJDOE staff and school district staff on the effective use of Title IV-A (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act) funds. The project also has been established to provide technical assistance and consultation to support schools identified under the Unsafe School Choice Option (USCO) policy.

The project provides services at no cost throughout the year to assist in Title IV-A applications, program implementation and evaluation as well as support activities for schools identified under USCO policy. The general activities of the project include:

Design and deliver ongoing support, workshops and services to address identified needs of school districts and NJDOE staff;
Provide a technical assistance service center to respond to school districts and NJDOE staff needs and questions regarding Title IV-A and USCO policy;
Create and disseminate resources designed to assist with issues related to Title IV-A and USCO policy;
Assess school districts’ and NJDOE staff needs regarding activities associated with Safe and Drug-Free Schools programs as well as the USCO policy; and
Assist school districts in reviewing and updating their Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policies to be in compliance with all statutes and regulatory requirements.

All NJDOE staff and every school district (public and non-public) in New Jersey applying for or implementing Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities programs through Title IV-A funds are eligible to receive our services. Schools that are identified under the USCO policy are also eligible to receive services from our staff.

Funds for the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Project, including this website, were provided in full by a grant from the United States Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, through the New Jersey Department of Education, under Title IV, Part A: The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of the No Child Left Behind Act.

The Staff

Bradford Lerman, Psy.D.

Project Director

Steven M. Hollow

Northern Regional Manager

Fred Bilofsky

Southern Regional Manager

Jennifer Durham, Psy.D.

Project Manager

Lia Valentino

Project Coordinator

Joseph Conerty

Graduate Assistant