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Policy Advocacy

Overview

Recognizing the importance of inclusive policies within educational entities and human rights agencies, the Alliance staff, Board and volunteers work with key partners on policy advocacy initiatives with schools, school districts and government agencies at local, regional and state levels.

Prevent School Violence Act (PA 96-0952)

Alliance youth, staff and volunteers, in partnership with the Prevent School Violence Illinois coalition, worked to pass the Prevent School Violence Act (PSVA) that was signed into law on June 27th, 2010 by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.  This law defines bullying for the first time in Illinois law, includes enumerated categories of students particularly vulnerable to bullying in schools (including sexual orientation and gender identity/expression), and creates the Illinois Bullying Prevention Task Force.  The Alliance is now focused on full implementation of the law throughout the state of Illinois through participation on the Illinois Bullying Prevention Task Force, targeted advocacy with individual schools and school districts, and a coordinated statewide youth organizing initiative called Achieving Change.  Achieving Change is being implemented by Alliance youth committees throughout the state and includes a toolkit and CD giving young people the tools and resources necessary to design and implement an effective campaign to change their school policies and how their schools make staekholders aware of their policies.  For more information on Achieving Change, please contact David Fischer

For more information on PSVA or the Illinois Bullying Prevention Task Force, please contact Sarah Schriber
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School Non-Discrimination Policies

The Alliance works with schools and school districts to implement policies that are inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity. These policies help schools and school districts articulate their commitment to treating all school personnel and students equally and equitably. Further, the Alliance works with schools and school districts to design and implement complaint procedures based on the policies as well as creating awareness of the policy changes. For more information, please contact Shannon Sullivan.