You Don't Have to Wait for a Crisis to Prevent It with Dr. Kate Rahi

You Don't Have to Wait for a Crisis to Prevent It

What if the most effective school safety strategies begin long before a crisis ever unfolds?

In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay sits down with Dr. Kate Rahi — Safe and Sound Schools' Associate Director of Projects and Training — to explore how prevention, early intervention, and multidisciplinary collaboration can help schools identify concerns, support students, and reduce the risk of violence before it escalates.

Dr. Rahi draws on her background in social work, mental health crisis response, school-based threat assessment, and national violence prevention initiatives to explain why no single person or profession can create safe schools alone. Her perspective offers a powerful reminder that meaningful prevention happens when educators, mental health professionals, school resource officers, families, and students work together toward a shared goal.

Throughout the episode, Michele and Dr. Rahi challenge the belief that schools must wait for a major incident before taking action. They discuss the importance of recognizing early warning signs, responding with support rather than punishment whenever appropriate, and building systems that allow multidisciplinary teams to intervene before situations become crises.

The episode offers listeners practical strategies that make prevention possible, from strengthening school culture and student connectedness to implementing coordinated threat assessment and intervention practices. Above all, the conversation underscores that school safety is not simply about responding to emergencies — it is about creating environments where every student is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.

Watch the full episode below: