Bill to modernize prevention grant in school discipline program advances with DOE input

Sponsor introduced HB 3-79 to strengthen Delaware’s prevention grant component in the comprehensive school discipline improvement program by updating allowable uses, supporting school‑climate experts and embedded professional development, and shifting oversight responsibilities to the Department of Education and the children’s services department to reflect current agency structure.

The sponsor emphasized the statute has not kept pace with best practices in prevention and early intervention. Committee members sought detail on funding history and pilot programs; Senator Broxton and others referenced the program’s previous budget reductions and the need for sustained funding to implement more robust multi‑tiered systems of support (MTSS).

Rosie Morales, education associate for school climate at DOE, explained the department’s suggested revisions focus on consolidating prevention and school‑based intervention services so funding does not become competitive and to align statutory language with recent regulatory changes (Regulation 609). She also noted a $1,000,000 appropriation awarded last year for pilot programs districts have been using.

The committee closed the item for time and planned follow‑up; no committee vote was recorded in this session.