Quarterly Update

November 2025

Greetings, DC Bullying Point of Contact!

As we move into November, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your continued dedication to bullying prevention. October’s National Bullying Prevention Month was a powerful reminder of the impact we can make together - I was inspired to see students actively engaged in programming, teachers participating in comprehensive training, and parents learning strategies to support safer school environments. Your commitment is creating real change across the District.

To help carry this momentum forward, I’ve included below several important reminders and resources from annual training requirements to data collection tips and new opportunities for family engagement. These updates are designed to support you in your role and make it easier to meet program goals throughout the year.

Thank you again for your commitment to bullying prevention. Together, we are building safer, more inclusive schools for all DC students. I look forward to continuing this important work with you in the months ahead.

Best regards,

Ernest Shepard

Program Manager, Youth Bullying Prevention Program

The DC Office of Human Rights (OHR)

Annual Training Requirement Reminder

All schools are required to conduct annual staff training on bullying prevention under the Youth Bullying Prevention Act (YBPA). To make this requirement as seamless as possible, OHR continues to offer in‑person Bullying Prevention Training.

We’re also excited to share that our updated Bullying Prevention Toolkit is now available! It includes presentation slides, facilitator guides, and staff resources -everything you need to deliver an effective training at your school. District schools are welcome to schedule a training by emailing me, or you can access the updated toolkit here.

Comprehensive Guide to Investigating Bullying Incidents

Investigating bullying allegations can be challenging, and the Youth Bullying Prevention Program recognizes that Bullying Points of Contact (POCs) may sometimes feel uncertain about the process. To promote consistency and confidence in investigations aligned with YBPA requirements, we’ve developed a detailed step-by-step guide.

This resource covers best practices for conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and determining outcomes. It also includes a sample outcome letter template to support clear and professional communication with all parties involved.

To request a copy of the guide, please contact the Youth Bullying Prevention Program directly.

Data Collection Reminder

Please remember to track bullying incidents as they occur to simplify reporting when the official data collection period begins on May 15, 2026.

• New to your role or need a refresher? A tip sheet is available outlining what information we collect and best practices for documentation.

• Need a simple way to track incidents? We also have a spreadsheet template available - just reach out if you’d like a copy!

Strengthening Family Engagement

One of our program goals this year is to expand parent and family involvement in bullying prevention. We know that parent/guardian engagement is critical to reducing incidents and fostering a positive school climate.

The linked article highlights the importance of family engagement and offers practical strategies for involving parents in your efforts. If you’d like to host a parent information session at your school, please contact me - we can work together to design a plan tailored to your community’s needs.

Youth Bullying Prevention in the Media

On Monday, October 27, OHR’s Youth Bullying Prevention Program joined the Daily Drum with Harold Fisher on WHUR to spotlight its work across the District in addressing bullying both in schools and online. The conversation explored how the program supports students, empowers families, and promotes safer learning environments through education, policy, and community engagement.

Missed it or want to listen again? Check the episode here!

DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov

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