Sacramento County Children's Coalition - School Suspension Prevention

Description

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to fund a project that addresses prevention of school suspension of children and youth in Sacramento County.Sacramento County experiences school suspension rates that exceed statewide averages and disproportionately impact its most vulnerable children and youth. According to the 2022 Sacramento County Children’s Report Card, the county’s suspension rate of 5.3% is 1.8 percentage points higher than the state average. Students who are suspended miss critical instructional time and struggle to make up missed coursework, placing them at an academic disadvantage compared to their peers.Suspension also contributes to harmful social and emotional outcomes, including feelings of exclusion, disconnection, fear, and increased rates of depression—particularly for students exposed to violence or trauma. Removing students from school environments heightens their vulnerability to negative outcomes, including increased contact with law enforcement and involvement in the juvenile justice system. Punitive disciplinary approaches fail to address the underlying causes of behavior, instead distancing children from supportive systems and reinforcing cycles of disengagement and instability.The consequences of suspension extend beyond students to families and the broader community. Families, particularly working caregivers, often face sudden childcare challenges when a child is suspended, resulting in lost wages, financial strain, and emotional stress. These impacts compound existing inequities and place additional burden on already stressed households.Children and youth involved in the Child Welfare System are especially affected, with a county suspension rate of 20.1% (Children’s Report Card 2022), the highest of any identified subgroup. Sim