New Jersey Assembly Bill A1501

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Establishes three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire.

Impact

Under the provisions of the bill, the Commissioner of Education is tasked with selecting the Jersey City School District along with six other districts to participate in this pilot program. These schools will implement a structured curriculum that includes a series of tiered mentoring sessions aimed at developing skills such as emotional awareness, resilience, behavioral control, and social skills. Additionally, the bill allows for grants to be issued to these districts to aid in the program's implementation, thus providing the necessary funding to bolster efforts in schools that are already facing challenges.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1501 establishes a three-year pilot program aimed at implementing school-based mentoring in public schools situated within designated 'crisis zones'. A crisis zone is defined as an area within 1,000 feet of school property where gunfire incidents occurred in the previous school year. The bill is spearheaded by Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and seeks to enhance the social-emotional and behavioral skills of young children, specifically those in grades kindergarten through three who are identified as at risk for mental health issues and substance abuse.

Contention

There are notable implications surrounding the potential effectiveness of this pilot program. Advocates support the initiative by drawing on positive results from similar programs like the Rochester Resilience Project, which demonstrated improvements in at-risk children's emotional regulation through mentoring. However, potential concerns include the scalability of the program beyond the pilot phase, how the program will be evaluated, and the long-term sustainability of funding and support for such initiatives in the face of fluctuating political and economic climates.