New school supplies? Check. Lesson plans finalized? Check. Class assignments made, hallways cleaned, and cafeteria stocked? Done, done, and done!

Another item on the back-to-school to-do list: creating a safe environment in which students can learn and thrive, without fear of violence.

Youth violence can take place anywhere at any time. It can happen in person or online, in the form of bullying or even electronic aggression via text, social media, or email.

CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention offers a host of free resources to help those working with youth prevent violence at school, in surrounding neighborhoods and local communities.

How You Can Help

• CDC’s Preventing Youth Violence: Opportunities for Action and its companion guideprovide action steps to help everyone be a part of the solution.

• There are a number of things school staff can do to make schools safer and prevent bullying. The free resources available at StopBullying.gov can help.

• Are you a practitioner or community seeking information on how to prevent youth violence? We designed the STRYVE Strategy Selector Tool with you in mind. Available for free, this tool combines rigorous evaluation science with the flexibility required for communities to devise a tailored approach to youth violence prevention.

• For the latest in bullying research and promising programs, visit the Division of Violence Prevention website.