The New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Launches the New Jersey Bullying Prevention Initiative with Hazelden and the National Association of Elementary School Principals

CENTER CITY, Minn., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) are excited to be launching, with Hazelden, an internationally known non-profit foundation, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), a new effort called the New Jersey Bullying Prevention Initiative. Bullying is a serious issue that affects students' health, the school climate, academic achievement, and school liability.

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Hazelden, headquartered in Center City, Minnesota is the leading publisher of evidence-based prevention programs and the exclusive publisher of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), the most researched and best-known program of its kind, www.olweus.org With over 35 years of research and successful implementation all over the world, OBPP is a whole school program that has been proven to prevent or reduce bullying throughout an educational setting. Many schools that have used the program have seen reductions in bullying behavior by 50% or more.

OBPP, geared to students in grades 1-8, is used at the school, classroom, and individual levels and includes methods to reach out to parents and the community for involvement and support. School administrators, teachers, and other staff are primarily responsible for introducing and implementing the program. These efforts are designed to improve peer relations and make the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop.

NJPSA will be working with Hazelden to educate schools about the serious issue of bullying and other related violence issues, and will be serving as the central source in the state of New Jersey for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and Hazelden's other violence prevention programs. NJPSA will also be collaborating with the Educational Information & Resource Center (EIRC) and the New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN) to provide training for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.

"NJPSA, the school principals association in New Jersey, is the group that should lead the way in New Jersey bullying prevention. Principals play a vital role in creating a positive school culture," said Jay Doolan, NJPSA's Director of Professional Services. "Hazelden and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program are the gold standard in evidence-based bully prevention programs."

"Hazelden is excited to be working with such a strong organization like NJPSA to bring much needed bullying prevention programming to schools across the state," said Sue Thomas, business development director for Hazelden.

To learn more about the New Jersey Bullying Prevention Initiative, visit www.njpsa.org or call (573) 638-2460.  

About The New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA)

NJPSA is a professional association dedicated to the improvement of the quality of teaching and learning in New Jersey. Since 1981, NJPSA has taken the lead in providing the highest quality professional development opportunities for its members. Representing more than 7,000 principals, vice principals, supervisors, directors, assistant superintendents, superintendents and chief school administrators, NJPSA has redefined professionalism for both practicing and aspiring school leaders.

About Hazelden

Hazelden, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. With nearly 60 years of knowledge and experience, Hazelden offers a comprehensive approach to addiction that addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional needs, including treatment and continuing care for youth and adults, research, higher education, public education and advocacy, and publishing. It has facilities in Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York and Florida. Learn more at www.hazelden.org or call 800-257-7810.

About the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

The mission of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) is to lead in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle level principals and other education leaders in their commitment for all children. NAESP is committed to providing the research, tools, learning experiences, and networking that enable our members to understand and prepare students to be highly adaptive learners in a rapidly changing world.

SOURCE Hazelden