MONROE CO. — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has received grant funding from the State of Michigan to continue their Community Engagement Program.
This marks the third year for this program, which was initially funded through a collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office, local school districts, and the community uplift program.
The program is designed by school resource officers across Monroe County who have identified at-risk students within their respective school districts.
At the conclusion of the school year, the school resource officer continues engagement with the students throughout the summer months.
Students and school resource officers spend three days a week, for a period of six hours per day, doing activities together and discussing planned topics for the week.
Each student can openly discuss any topic with the school resource officer without fear of bullying, harassment, or negativity from classmates and other individuals.
After the 2024 summer engagement program ended, school staff observed significant improvements in students’ behavior, self-esteem, grades, and willingness to attend school and assist others, with several students even achieving honor roll status.
Partnering districts include Airport Public Schools, Bedford Public Schools, Ida Public Schools, Monroe County Intermediate School District, Mason Public Schools, Monroe Public Schools, Summerfield Public Schools, and Whiteford Public Schools.