The purpose of the flow-through Safe and Drug Free Schools Program (SDFS) is to support programs that prevent violence in and around schools; that prevents the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs; that involve parents and communities; and that are coordinated with related Federal, State, school and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that supports student academic achievement.

Funds may be used for drug prevention and education programs, (Pre-K-12); violence prevention; comprehensive health education, early education, and pupil services; mentoring programs and rehabilitative referrals; professional development for drug, alcohol and violence prevention( district, parents, community, etc.); implementation of strategies (i.e., invention, family counseling, community services, service learning); security measures such as safe zones of passage, metal detectors, and hiring security personnel; drug abuse resistance education programs; program evaluations; and conflict resolution programs.

New programmatic requirements include a statewide comprehensive needs assessment, to include prevalence, risk, and protective factors. Also allowable: students may be tested or their lockers inspected, within constitutional limits, with parent or guardian consent or request; emergency intervention services for major traumatic events such as school shootings or any major events that disrupt the learning environment; community service projects; and employee background checks for the purpose of determining whether an employee or potential employee has been convicted of a crime that bears upon the employee’s fitness for the job.

Expenditures prohibited in this program are using funds for construction, with the exception of minor remodeling of facilities used for LEA Title IV programs; providing medical services; and drug treatment and rehabilitation.