Social-ecological Systems Perspective Research Articles

Building community connections for youth to reduce violence

AbstractThe Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative in Morton High School District 201, Cicero, IL, used a social ecological systems perspective to implement its goals. Social‐emotional learning and violence‐prevention strategies were provided at the levels of the community, school, and individual. Creation of a safe school environment cut across developmental levels from preschool through high school. Intervention activities were universal/preventive, school, and targeted/individual. Finally, the project sought to develop a consortium infrastructure to institutionalize and sustain integrated services. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 549–563, 2003.