About Tucson LINKS

What is Tucson LINKS?

• LINKS is a comprehensive community-wide partnership designed to increase student achievement by removing barriers to learning, such as substance abuse and violence.
• LINKS is resiliency-based, focused on enhancing environments and providing services that facilitate the ability of families, children and school personnel to overcome the obstacles they face.
• LINKS is a Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative funded by the U.S. Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services, and Justice.

Whom does Tucson LINKS serve?

• LINKS will serve 55 elementary schools in five local school districts, as well as children ages 0-5 in those same districts.
• LINKS will focus on early prevention and intervention, based on research that shows long-term effectiveness in preventing later problems.

Who are the Partners?

• Five local school districts
• Pima County Attorney's Office and local law enforcement agencies
• Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA)
• Metropolitan Education Commission (MEC)
• Tucson Resiliency Initiative (TRI)
• University of Arizona
• Medical Providers
• Evaluators
• Communications and social marketing specialists
• Tucson community

What does Tucson LINKS address?

• Safe school environment and policies
• Educational reform
• Alcohol and other drugs and violence prevention and early intervention
• School and community mental health preventative and treatment services
• Early childhood psychosocial and emotional development

What does Tucson LINKS provide?

• Training for staff, parents and community members
• Technical support, coaching and follow-up
• Behavioral health services for children and families
• Primary medical care
• Community Justice Boards
• Financial support for schools to meet identified needs such as specialized training, after-school programs, or purchase of evidence-based curriculum
• Social marketing and communications campaign to support school efforts
• Ongoing evaluation

What are the expected outcomes?

• Increased evidence of protective factors in our community
• Improved attendance
• Reduction in disruptive behaviors, substance abuse and violence
• Increased student achievement