In a recent meeting of the Camara de Representantes in Puerto Rico, key discussions unfolded around the pressing issue of violence prevention in schools. Michelle Tirado, the program operations manager for school health, highlighted the department's ongoing efforts to combat violence through a revised curriculum that spans from pre-kindergarten to tenth grade. This curriculum includes a manual for promoting healthy relationships and preventing dating violence, currently implemented in 470 schools.

Tirado emphasized the potential for utilizing existing resources without incurring additional costs. By training the 470 health teachers already familiar with the curriculum, the program aims to enhance its impact through interdisciplinary collaboration. The integration of pre- and post-assessments was proposed as a method to measure student knowledge and the effectiveness of interventions, ultimately leading to student certification.

The conversation also touched on the role of various agencies, including the Office of the Women's Advocate and the Department of Justice, in providing workshops and support to schools. These agencies are working together to create a strategic plan to address the real issues of violence affecting Puerto Rican youth. The goal is to foster leadership among students and ensure that multiple agencies collaborate effectively to maximize their efforts.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency of addressing violence in schools was clear. The representatives recognized the need for a unified approach to empower young leaders in Puerto Rico, ensuring that they have the tools and support necessary to thrive in a safer environment. The discussions set the stage for future collaborations aimed at creating a comprehensive strategy to combat violence and promote healthy relationships among students.