School Safety for All: Using the Coordinated School Health Program to Increase Safety for LGBTQ Students‪.‬

School violence and school safety have emerged as a predominant concern for educators, parents, and students. Highly publicized incidents involving school violence at Jonesboro, Paducah, Springfield and Littleton have drawn our unwilling attention to the fact that schools can no longer be assumed to be safe environments for learning (Gabarino, 2001). Among those at especially high risk for school-related violence are students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered and those that are questioning their sexual orientation (LGBTQ) (Garofalo, R., Wolf, C., Kessel, S., Palfrey, J. & DuRant, R., 1998; Reis, B. & Saewyz, E., 1999). Issues surrounding LGBTQ youth provide fuel for controversy in our schools. School districts have an obligation, backed up by legal liability, to change a school culture and climate that ignores or promotes homophobia. This responsibility of the districts includes providing all school personnel with the skills and resources needed to promote an environment that does not tolerate harassment. The Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) is a health promotion program that can offer guidance and structure in helping school districts change their climate, culture and environment.