Latest News
August is Back to School Month
As students across the country head back to school, K-12 schools and districts are preparing for a safe and successful return to the classroom. In support of National Back to School Month, SchoolSafety.gov developed an infographic with topics and strategies to help your community address school safety threats and challenges this semester and all year long. Download the infographic here.
CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools to support safe in-person learning for the 2022-23 school year. These updates make it easier for schools to assess their risk and take action to protect students and staff. Learn more here.
White House Announces Actions to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
The Biden-Harris Administration announced two new actions to strengthen school-based mental health services and address the youth mental health crisis. Nearly $300 million in funding will be awarded to expand access to mental health services in schools, and governors are being encouraged to invest more in school-based mental health services. Read the announcement here.
New Communications Center Launched on SchoolSafety.gov
SchoolSafety.gov recently launched a new Communications Center on the site, offering the K-12 community access to a comprehensive collection of school safety one-pagers, infographics, webinar presentations, and newsletter bulletins. Explore the new center and download and share a variety of materials to help support your school's or district's safety efforts here.
First Aid for Severe Trauma Course Now Available
The First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST) training course is now available to schools, organizations, and individuals that are seeking education on how to handle a life-threatening bleeding emergency. FAST is a Stop the Bleed® course that was modified specifically for high school students to teach them how to care for a person experiencing serious physical trauma. Since its release in August 2021, FAST has trained over 2,600 students, and more than 600 volunteers have participated in the certification training to become instructors through the American Red Cross in collaboration with the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health. For more information on FAST and how to sign up for the training, click here.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Grants and Funding Opportunities
Youth Violence Prevention Program (Application Deadline: August 29)
Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Grants Finder Tool for additional school safety-related funding opportunities.
Events, Webinars, and Conferences
National Student Privacy and Data Security Webinar Series (August 24 & 31) – The second and third sessions in this three-part series from the Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) and its Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will include sessions on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, data breach preparation and response, data security threats, and more. Sign up here.
The Role of School Administrators in Supporting School Safety Efforts (August 26) – This webinar from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools and its Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center will highlight the role of school administrators in supporting school safety efforts at the local level and in implementing the National Preparedness System mission areas before, during, and after a potential emergency. Register here.
K-12 Data Security & Cybersecurity Summit (September 7, 14 & 21) –This three-day virtual summit hosted by SPPO's PTAC will cover how K-12 agencies and institutions can protect sensitive data, reduce the risk of disclosure, lower the impact to privacy, and ensure compliance with the law while navigating cyber changes in the wake of the pandemic. Learn more here.
Suicidal Awareness, Response, Safety Planning, and Postvention Learning Series (September 12, 19 & 26) – This three-part series from the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network will address suicide prevention awareness; school-appropriate response and screening referral practices for youth experiencing suicidal ideation and/or intent; postvention as well as supports and safety planning after the child returns to school. Events include:
Protecting Children in a Digital Age (October 20) – This virtual seminar from the National Criminal Justice Training Center is designed to educate a broad range of disciplines responsible for conducting investigations and safeguarding youth. Among other topics, the training will help attendees understand the different types of technology used by children and teens, recognize the most common online issues that youth are likely to face, and focus on a proactive approach to digital safety. Find more details here.
2022 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security (November 1-3) – This three-day virtual event hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will convene school safety experts, practitioners, and leaders from across the country to discuss current threats in school safety and explore research-informed strategies for addressing security challenges and risks in K-12 schools. Registration will open in late August. Learn more about the Summit here.
Fostering Family Engagement in School (On-Demand) – This on-demand webinar from the National Center for School Safety addresses how schools can foster family involvement and engagement to increase student feelings of belonging and academic success. Learn more and enroll here.
Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Events Page for additional school safety-related webinars, conferences, and more.
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New School Safety Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care. The Lifeline offers free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
How Schools and Early Care and Education (ECE) Programs Can Support COVID-19 Vaccination
This resource outlines action steps ECE programs and school leaders can take to support COVID-19 vaccine uptake and improve health literacy among staff, students, and families in their community.
Visit SchoolSafety.gov for additional school safety resources.
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Adam Lustig
Director, Center for Safe Schools
National School Boards Association
Alexandria, VA
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