Special Needs School Transportation Camera (SN) Program RFP

Purpose: The SN Program is intended to provide cameras on school transportation used by pre-K through high school students with disabilities/special needs to identify abusive behavior that may occur between students and/or between students and bus drivers/school personnel. Background Information Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities represent approximately 12-15 percent of the United States’ population. Many of these children are nonverbal or otherwise unable to communicate if abused. The abuse and neglect rate for children with disabilities is higher due to their vulnerability and decreased likelihood that the perpetrator will be identified and prosecuted. Currently, California has no legislative mandate for cameras on school transportation used by students with disabilities/special needs. Although some districts have independently implemented cameras, the cost of camera equipment and monitoring is a huge barrier and prohibits districts or local/county education agencies from moving forward. Program Description The SN Program is intended to provide cameras on school transportation used by pre-K through high school students with disabilities/special needs to identify abusive behavior that may occur between students and/or between students and bus drivers/school personnel. Please note: Any school transportation identified as needing cameras under this Program must serve at least 75 percent of students with disabilities/special needs. Program Components a. Discussion Subrecipients must engage parents, staff, and students (when applicable) in the discussion about adding cameras to school transportation used by pre-K through high school students with disabilities/special needs. b. Creation of Procedures/Protocols Subrecipients must create procedures/protocols regarding the use of the camera system and the video footage collected, including, but not limited to:  How video footage will be reviewed, stored and retained;  Who the custodian of the video footage will be so that confidentiality is preserved;  How video footage will be shared and with whom;  In what situations will video footage be shared (e.g., will footage only be reviewed when there is an allegation of abuse? Spot reviewed to look for incidents? At the request of a parent? To performance manage an employee?);  When and how consent will be obtained;  How confidentiality will be addressed;  How video footage will be preserved, and for how long;  How often camera system will be audited, and by whom, to ensure equipment is functioning correctly; and  How sustainability will be achieved when this Program concludes. c. Research/Procurement/Installation Subrecipients must utilize the information gathered to research, procure, and install a camera system that is appropriate for the needs identified, and coincides with written procedures/protocols. d. Training Staff/Informing Parents Subrecipients must train staff about the camera system and keep parents informed about its use. Eligible Applicants: The Applicant must: Be a school district or local/county education agency operating within California. Be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM) and have an expiration date that is at least eight weeks after the Application due date. *To be eligible to receive funding, the proposal must receive a minimum of 50% of available points on the Rating Sheet. Eligible Geographies: Applicant must be operating within California. Matching Funding: N/A

• PSCDisadvantaged Communities, Education, Health & Human Services, Transportation

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  catherine.conner@caloes.ca.gov