Bullying Prevention Month: Building a Kinder, Safer Jacksonville 

Creating safer spaces for children requires ongoing education, accessible reporting options, and community involvement. Bullying is never the answer and here at Kids Hope Alliance, we stand with others around the city and the country in preventing bullying from happening in our schools, centers, and neighborhoods. 

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage kindness, and remind children and adults that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and included. Bullying can affect children’s confidence, emotional well-being, friendships, and ability to feel comfortable at school. Preventing it takes more than a single conversation; it takes a community willing to stand together. 

In Duval County, schools, nonprofit organizations, families, and community partners have opportunities to help create environments where children feel supported and know where to turn when they need help. This month, let’s explore what bullying prevention looks like, how our local community is making a difference, and what each of us can do to help create a more inclusive future for Jacksonville’s youth. 

What Is Bullying, and Why Does Prevention Matter? 

Bullying involves repeated, unwanted aggressive behavior and a real or perceived imbalance of power. It can take many forms, including: 

• Verbal: Name-calling, insults, threats, or hurtful comments. 
• Social: Deliberately excluding someone, spreading rumors, or damaging friendships. 
• Physical: Hitting, pushing, or intentionally damaging another person’s belongings. 
• Cyber: Using social media, messaging apps, or online platforms to harass, embarrass, threaten, or target someone. 

Bullying is not always easy to recognize. A child who is being bullied may become withdrawn, avoid school or social activities, experience changes in mood, or hesitate to talk about their day. Prevention starts with listening, taking concerns seriously, and creating an environment where children know they can ask for help without shame or fear of being ignored. 

Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) provides bullying prevention resources for students and families, along with procedures for reporting and investigating concerns. The district also provides a dedicated bullying prevention hotline, so students and families have a way to raise concerns. 

Bullying prevention extends beyond the classroom. Children also need positive relationships, caring adults, and supportive places where they can build confidence and connect with others. Local organizations contribute to the broader support network in different ways: 

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida: Youth development, enrichment, and mentoring opportunities can help children build relationships and develop positive social skills. 
• Child Guidance Center: Provides mental health services for children, adolescents, and families, which may help families seeking support for emotional or behavioral concerns. 
• Communities In Schools of Jacksonville: Works with schools and community partners to connect students with resources that support their well-being and academic success. 

How Parents and Caregivers Can Help Prevent Bullying 

Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children feel heard and supported. They could keep communication open with their children asking questions about if anyone made them feel uncomfortable. Parents should watch for changes in their child’s behavior, especially if they show withdrawal, anxiety about school, unexplained injuries, or reluctance to attend activities. This can lead to bigger problems down the line. 

Parents can also teach empathy and inclusion. This will help children to understand how their words and actions can affect others. Encourage them to invite others to different activities and speak kindly to them. Also, take their concerns seriously. If your child tells you about something that has happened, listen calmly and intently, and report it to the proper authorities. 

How Students Can Be Part of the Solution 

Students have the power to help shape their school culture. Preventing bullying does not mean expecting children to handle difficult situations alone. It means giving them safe, age-appropriate ways to contribute. 

Students can: 

• Include classmates who are sitting alone or being left out. 
• Refuse to participate in hurtful jokes or online harassment. 
• Support a peer privately and let them know they are not alone. 
• Report bullying to a trusted adult instead of confronting someone if doing so could be unsafe. 
• Avoid sharing, liking, or reposting hurtful content online. 
• Participate in school activities that promote kindness, respect, and belonging. 

A small act of inclusion can make a meaningful difference in someone's day. 

Let's Stand Together Against Bullying 

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, build friendships, and participate in their community without being targeted or humiliated. Through education, open communication, accessible support, and everyday acts of kindness, Jacksonville can continue working toward safer and more welcoming environments for its young people.

Bullying prevention begins when we choose to listen, include others, and take action when something is wrong. Together, we can help create an environment where every child knows they matter, their voice deserves to be heard, and support is available when they need it. 

Congratulations to Julia Riggins on her retirement! She has gone above and beyond for her team, our providers, and KHA as a whole. She has been dependable, thoughtful, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She's been with the city for 36 years and we will truly miss her. Her last day with KHA will be October 16th. Thank you for your dedication and enjoy your retirement years!!

Thank you for being our partner in creating a safer, more vibrant community for our youngest citizens here in Jacksonville. We look forward to further collaboration and celebration of the difference we make, hand in hand.



Duval County schools would like for YOU to become a Family Engagement Leader. They help DCPS leadership with families, share important information, strengthen school communities, and champion student success. If you would like to join the team, click here.

Are your students entering the 9th grade next year? Learn about your high school options and ow to apply for the lottery at this high school webinar. For more information, click here.

Parents and caregivers, come find your child's next school at the School Enrollment Expo. Meet educators, explore school options, and discover programs and opportunities available throughout Duval County. The expo is Saturday, November 14th at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Abuse isn't just physical; it can be emotional, verbal, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Behind closed doors, many people are suffering in silence. This month, we're raising awareness, breaking the stigma, and reminding survivors they are not alone. Every survivor deserves safety, dignity, and support.

If you are a survivor of domestic violence, or are suffering in silence, know that there is help available to you 24/7 through the Hubbard House and their partner agencies. Call 904-354-3114, text 904-210-3698, or go to hubbardhouse.org for immediate assistance.

Duval County seniors, a scholarship opportunity is waiting on you. UNF MedNexus is selecting FIVE students to receive a scholarship up to $10,000!!

Qualifications include:

• Plan to attend UNF Fall 2027
• Pursue a healthcare-related major
• Attend the DCPS Innovation Challenge on November 12th
• Register by November 2nd

Scholarship recipients will be announced at the event and you have to be in attendance. For more information, click here.

Students can now submit their applications for the 2027 internship program. College students will receive hands-on experience in their field of study. It is a PAID internship. For more information on how to apply, click here.

Help Florida build a more resilient state by volunteering as a resiliency coach. You can help build students' skills to overcome challenges. Florida is taking a first-of-its kind approach to reframe mental health to help children become resilient.

To become a resiliency coach, you must meet the volunteer screening requirements with the local school district and complete an online 4-hour volunteer practicum. To sign up, click here.

Open enrollment is now open for families who want to enroll their children into a Florida Prepaid plan. They have affordable monthly payments to designed to fit any goal or budget to help parents and caregivers save for college. To sign your kids up for a plan, click here.

Searching for something to do this weekend? Check out Jacksonville's event page. It has tons of events from the Jacksonville Icemen games to the Jax Symphony to Ritz Museum After Dark.

For a list of events happening around town, click here.

A new app created for teens by teens. I'm A Star students created EmpowerMe, to aid in their mental health. The app provides daily affirmations and offers mini games to foster in teens' mental health. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play. For more information, click here.

The Florida Department of Children and Families announced a statewide youth advisory board, which is a youth-led self-standing group made up of youth and young adults with Lived Experience in Florida's child welfare system. Members from across the state bring their unique voices, stories, and expertise to help shape the policies and programs that impact youth and young adults across the state.

The Statewide Youth Advisory Board works to:

• Promote participation
• Establish a structured partnership
• Equip young adults
• Develop leadership skills
• Improve communication
• Maintain independence
• Incorporate youth perspectives

Membership is exclusively composed of youth and young adults with lived experience in Florida's child welfare system, including out-of-home care, adoption, or independent living programs administered by the Department of Children and Families.

If you are interested in becoming a member, fill out the membership interest form.

Kids Hope Alliance is searching for a Contract Compliance Associate. This is a full-time position. The description is in the link below. If you are qualified for this position, apply here.

Cathedral Arts Project is hiring for several positions including music therapist, research assistant, and curriculum writer. CAP offers a culture of creativity and collaboration. CAP is seeking for individuals to support its mission to provide arts education that impacts children and young adults. For more information on the positions, click here.

Buddy's Place is part of the 3 Grains of Rice Missions range of services. They are a bridge to helping those who need medical equipment. They can pick up equipment that is no longer needed, or they can provide you with the necessary medical equipment that you need. Donations are tax deductible. If you are in need or have equipment you no longer use, contact 3 Grains of Rice Missions at 904-534-0674 or 904-742-3054.

Transportation is vital for accessing essential services. United Way's Ride Unlimited Program bridges this gap with those who are in need. United Way has partnered with Lyft to enable 211 callers to request transportation to an essential location and receive a ride for free or at a discounted rate. Since its launch in 2018, more than 500,000 rides have been completed. All you have to do is call 211 for assistance, they will check for resources, and a ride will arrive. For more information, click here.

Mayor's Transparency Dashboards

As a continued effort to provide transparency across the city, we have created the Mayor’s Transparency Dashboards. With these Dashboards, we hope to give citizens the chance to see how our resources are being used in our day-to-day lives.

By providing these Dashboards "at a glance," we hope to tell the narratives that make the City of Jacksonville what it is today. From the volunteers and adopters who help our furry friends at Animal Care and Protective Services, to those who help to push our industry and homes forward in a new streamlined process with Permitting, to Public Works who keeps our city beautiful and clean, to helping our readers exceed our reading goals with River City Readers, you can see just how much work truly goes into our city.

With our combined efforts, we can bring to light a NEW DAY for the City of Jacksonville.

Hurricane season starts June 1st and forecasters are predicting a below-normal season. It is still recommended to prepare you and your families in case of an emergency. Protect your property from wind, flood, and storm surge, and check on your flood insurance. For more tips, check out the Jax Ready page.

Microsoft for Nonprofits Grant

Eligibility Requirements: Nonprofits or non-governmental organizations, public libraries, and public museums

Length of eligibility: Two years

Type of grants: Software, Cloud Services, and Subscriptions

Description: Microsoft provides grants and discounted solutions to eligible nonprofits. The nonprofits must provide relief to the poor, advance education, improve social welfare, preserve culture, restore the environment, promote human rights, and/or establish civil society.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Family Support Group

Additional Resources

Northwest Behavioral Health Services

2392 Edgewood Ave., N

Jacksonville, FL 32254

www.nwbh.org

Counseling, Psychiatric & Medication Management..........................904-781-7797 (Adults)

Targeted Case Management Services..............................................904-781-0600 (Children)

Trauma Crisis Support Hotline & Mobile Services........................................1-833-987-2682

Students are required by law to attend school regularly. When students miss too many days, they become in danger of truancy. Students who miss five days within a calendar month or 10 days in a 90-day period are considered truant by the Duval County School district. Students and parents can face serious consequences.

Parents, the district wants to support you in getting your child to school every day. Here's what you can do to ensure your child has great attendance:



• Make school attendance a priority. Create and maintain daily routines, such as homework, picking out school clothes the night before, and creating a backup plan to get your child to school in case an emergency comes up.
• Keep your child engaged in school. Talk to your child about school bullies, behavioral issues, and school policies, as these can be some reasons why kids do not want to go to school. Also, see what type of after-school programs they would want to be a part of.
• Communicate with the school. Monitor your child's academic progress and reach out to your child's teachers with any concerns.

Attendance allows students to put their best foot forward on the path to success. If children are not at school, they miss out on the fundamentals of learning. Click here for more information about attendance.

United Way of NEFL Volunteerism

Get Involved. Make a Difference.