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The Mission of Counselors Not Cops:

We stand for the equitable treatment of all students in Memphis schools and the end to the School to Prison Pipeline, which disproportionately impacts Black and Brown youth. To make this happen, we are fighting for the reallocation of funds from the Sheriff's Department and School Resource Officers towards counselors, mental health support, and restorative justice practices.
Our ask to Shelby County Schools
Get the Facts

Call to action:

1. SEND A LETTER TODAY:
We need as many letters as possible to go to Shelby County School Board members! We want to let them know you want the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between Shelby County Sheriffs' Office and Shelby County Schools to end! Click below to send a letter today!
Send a Letter to Our school Board and County Government
2. SHARE YOUR WHY for supporting Counselors Not Cops: and checkout the why behind others in the Testimonial Section below.
Share your WHY for Supporting Counselors Not Cops


​
Testimonials:

Listen to WHY Memphians supporting Counselors Not Cops.  
​

Listen To why Youth Support Counselors Not Cops

Listen To why Teachers  Support Counselors Not Cops

Listen To why CounselOrs & Health Professionals Support Counselors Not Cops

Listen To why Parents Support Counselors Not Cops

Listen To why Community & Church Leaders  Support Counselors Not Cops

Why we're asking for counselors, not cops:

The term "school resource officer" (SRO) can include police officers, sheriff’s deputies, private security, and district-employed security. SCS mostly uses district-employed SROs and a few deputies. Although these officers cannot use guns on school property, they do carry pepper spray.
​
During the 2019-2020 school year, 18 SROs were deputies paid for by the Sheriff’s Office. For that year, the district allowed for up to 36 deputies. $5.1 million is spent on about 130 in-house SROS. This is included in the $14 million budget that the district has allocated toward security measures. 
​

According to the School Social Work Association of America, social work services should also be provided at a ratio of  250 students  to one social worker. 

Shelby County's average ratio is 414 students to one social worker.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends a ratio of 500-700 students per school psychologist.

Shelby County's average ratio is 3,475 students to one psychologist. School psychologists are usually the staff most qualified to assess a student’s safety risk to themselves and others

Several states, along with the American Nurses Association, recommend a ratio of one school nurse to 750 students in healthy student populations. 

Shelby County's average ratio is 1,207 students to one nurse. ​This is worse than Tennessee's average.

Learn more about policing and student health in schools:

Get the Facts
Picture
(Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, 2015-2016 Civil Rights Data Collection)

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About

We are 14 youth organizers working to make systematic change in Memphis around issues of social activism.

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  • Home
  • Our Work
    • Counselors Not Cops >
      • Interest Meeting
      • The Facts
    • Memphis Against Sexual Harassment & Assault
    • ICONIC Classrooms >
      • ICONIC Pledge
      • ICONIC Resources
      • Inclusive Classrooms Hall of Fame
      • ICONIC First Day Toolkit
      • Get Involved
    • Gender and Sexuality >
      • Get Involved
      • BSE Spaces
    • Mental and Emotional Health Matters
    • Shelby County Youth Council
  • Get Involved
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • CHAlumnix
  • Archive
    • Recent (2019-2020 Year)
    • Cohorts >
      • EDJ
      • GAS
      • MASHA >
        • Survivor Power Coffee Hours
      • MemYU
      • Adult Support
  • For YJACers
  • For CHANGE Fellows and SCYC Members
    • Resources >
      • Institute Binder
    • For SCYC Members >
      • Attendance Policy
      • Public Commissioner Contact Info
    • For CHANGE Fellows >
      • CHANGE Committees
    • For Advisers