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PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES
TO COMBAT AND PREVENT YOUTH VIOLENCE
APRIL 15, 2000
In his weekly radio address today, President Clinton will discuss the responsibility we all have to help reduce youth violence. As we prepare to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Columbine tragedy, the President will talk about steps that the federal government and communities across the country are taking to keep our children safe. First, he will announce three new initiatives: $41 million in Safe Schools/Healthy Students grants to 23 communities; $60 million in COPS in Schools grants to hire 452 school resource officers in 223 communities nationwide; and $20 million for a new program to fund counselors in elementary schools. Second, the President will highlight a new city-by-city initiative launched by the National Campaign Against Youth Violence to engage citizens from every sector in 15 communities across the country. Finally, President Clinton will announce that on May 2, he and the First Lady will host a White House Conference on Teenagers to address the challenges today of raising responsible teenagers.
GIVING COMMUNITIES THE TOOLS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS
- new scientific research that the preteen years are as important as the first three years of life, setting patterns for adult behavior and success;
- the changing demographics of today's youth, the most diverse group of teenagers in history;
- perceptions and realities about the role that parents play in the lives of their teenage children;
- the risks, challenges and anxieties faced by today's teens;
- the impact of new media on youth and parenting; and
- what parents, communities, and young people themselves can do to avoid risk behaviors to build a safe and successful path to adulthood.
Attendees will also include parents and teens, educators, youth workers, foundation leaders, researchers, and policymakers. The opening session - which will be broadcast via satellite to locations around the country - will be followed by lunch, breakout sessions hosted by Administration officials and members of Congress, and a closing reception.
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