The Just Discipline Project has begun rebuilding after the dismantling of federal grant mechanisms that supported its recent expansion. Two new grants from The Heinz Endowments ($200,000) and the Grable Foundation ($20,000) will support JDP's continued work in local underresourced school districts, focusing on fiscal sustainability, trauma-responsive programming, and a teacher wellness pilot with Awaken Pittsburgh. "The support from Heinz and Grable couldn't come at a more urgent time," notes PI James Huguley. "The shifting politics were a rude awakening for those doing racial justice and anti-oppressive work, and we're fighting back with our school and philanthropic partners to continue building relationally well-equipped and culturally grounded school communities."
The research team includes James Huguley (PI, Social Work/CRSP), Rachel Vaughn-Coaxum (Co-PI, Psychiatry), Sommer Blair (Co-I, Social Work), Cecily Davis (Co-I, Social Work), and Bianca De Bellis (Co-I, Hunter College/Pitt SSW alumn). Programming will be led by Michele Leyshon (Social Work, Executive Director), Molly Means (Social Work, Lead Restorative Practitioner), and Marcus Buckley (Social Work, Restorative Practitioner).