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Bar Foundation's Anti-Bullying Violence Prevention Initiative Wins Award

The New Jersey State Bar Foundation's (NJSBF) Violence Prevention Initiative, including its longstanding school-based anti-bullying education developed by Leisa-Anne Smith, director of NJSBF violence prevention programs, has won a Golden Bell Leadership Award from the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Inc. The award, given this year to "pioneers of original, anti-bullying programs," will be presented to Ms. Smith at the association's Evening of Excellence ceremony on June 22 at the Crystal Plaza, Livingston.

"It is very gratifying to be recognized for our groundbreaking work in violence prevention, specifically the component dealing with bullying," said Ms. Smith. "I am proud that the Bar Foundation was forward-thinking enough to have a program in place even before the first anti-bullying law in New Jersey was passed in 2002. We realized that bullying is not just normal conflict-it is victimization. We were definitely proactive on that count."

In the 1990s she had helped develop a curriculum and a training component for the initial constituent parts of NJSBF's Violence Prevention Initiative: conflict resolution, peer mediation and character education. "The Foundation's role had become that of the leading organization in the state offering violence prevention services and training to the school environment," she said. Later, with the support of NJSBF executive director Angela Scheck, Ms. Smith developed over time what would become award-winning anti-bullying trainings specially geared to the respective needs of educators and administrators.

With the passage into law this year of New Jersey's new anti-bullying legislation, considered the toughest in the nation, demand for NJSBF services in that regard has increased. "We have added more training dates," said Ms. Smith. "I am even conducting more off-site training than ever before. I see such training as being hopefully embedded in our culture and our schools as an intrinsic part of the learning environment."

Update: Because Ms. Smith was unable to be present, the award was accepted by new NJSBF president Stuart M. Lederman, who told the audience, "The Foundation recognizes the importance of bringing awareness to the problem of bullying....[Ms. Smith] would tell you that it is critical for people to understand that bullying is victimization personified. The effects are devastating and long-term....Educating people about the harmful effects of bullying, she would tell you, is a movement much like the civil rights movement. change does not occur as quickly as we would like or hope, but we continue to move forward."

Founded in 1958, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation is the educational and philanthropic arm of the New Jersey State Bar Association. The Bar Foundation's mission is to promote public understanding of the law through a free, comprehensive public education program. Among its activities, the Foundation conducts seminars and conflict resolution training, publishes materials, operates a videotape loan library and speakers bureau, and coordinates elementary, middle and high school mock trial competitions.

For more information about available trainings and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation's multi-part Violence Prevention Initiative, visit online at www.njsbf.org or contact Ms. Smith at lasmith@njsbf.org.


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