Introducing our newest program Especially Safe®! We created this program to help safety planning teams address the safety and security needs of all members of the community. Learn more about the program and how you can plan and prepare, and teach and train to meet the special needs of students, staff, and visitors in your school community – from developmental disabilities to communication challenges, medical needs to mobility challenges, and more. Especially SAFE A Safe and Sound Schools signature program developed in honor of founder Michele Gay's daughter Josephine Grace, Staying Safe empowers schools to support all student populations, no matter their developmental abilities and needs. Contact us today to learn how you can bring this inclusive training to your school. GET TRAINING Take Action These free resources will help you explore and implement our Especially Safe program. If you need assistance on implementing Especially Safe in your school, district or community, contact us to inquire about hosting a training. DOWNLOAD PREP GUIDE DOWNLOAD TRAINING GUIDE Especially SAFE Especially Safe equips multidisciplinary teams to meet the safety and security needs of every individual in the school community. At Safe and Sound, we are dedicated to ensuring that all students feel safe, supported, and included. Contact us today to bring this inclusive training to your campus. GET TRAINING You Asked, We Delivered! The Especially Safe Planning and Preparation Guide now features a fillable PDF for the Individual Safety Plan (ISP). No more printing or handwriting — it's free, easy to use, and ready for your computer! DOWNLOAD PREP GUIDE WHAT IS Especially Safe? On December 14, 2012, Safe and Sound Schools' founder Michele Gay's youngest daughter, Josephine Grace, died in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. Joey was an extraordinary child in so many ways. Her amazing energy, beautiful smile and kind spirit made her loved by all who knew her. She also had many “special needs” as a student with autism, apraxia of speech, gross motor impairment, and other developmental disorders. We like to say that she was “especially special.” Since Joey’s death, Michele has worked to build a legacy in her honor – a mission to improve the safety of our school communities, filling in the gaps in existing safety planning strategies and ensuring that children like Joey are able to grow up to be the amazing people they were meant to be. A cornerstone of that work is Especially Safe. Through the Especially Safe Program, we detail how teams can plan and prepare, as well as teach and train, to meet the special needs of students, staff, and visitors in your school community – from developmental disabilities to communication challenges, medical needs to mobility challenges, and more. With inclusive planning, we can create a culture of safety and security for all children, students, parents, and staff to depend on in emergencies of all kinds. DOWNLOAD PREP GUIDE DOWNLOAD TRAINING GUIDE PROGRAM Highlights Designed with multidisciplinary school safety teams and emergency managers in mind, Especially Safe: Ensures that teams develop strategies to meet the diverse safety needs of all stakeholders within the educational community Considers federal regulations that apply to all members of a community equally, including vulnerable populations within the community Leverages the TEAMS Framework for inclusive safety to help teams consider and plan for the safety of all community members Allows multidisciplinary teams to consider individuals who have access and functional needs and are serviced through programs, but also to look beyond these programs to identify other safety needs that may exist Utilizes a collaborative planning process that allows specific needs to be identified by those who know and work with the individual so that required accommodations for the individual can be planned for Provides for a formal plan to be developed, shared, and allows for regular review and changes to the plan as needed TRAINING Details The Especially Safe training program is filled with hands-on activities and discussions to prepare individuals to implement this program with high fidelity. The training covers: Understanding and using the TEAMS Framework to organize and prepare for the needs of community members such as students, staff, volunteers, parents, delivery personnel, substitutes, and guests How to gather information about the specific needs of community members and develop accommodations utilizing an Individual Safety Planning Team A collaborative planning process which equips Individual Safety Planning Teams to develop Individualized Safety Plans based on a set of identified criteria Instruction on best practices in terms of sharing, reviewing and updating the Individual Safety Plans REQUEST TRAINING Not ready for training yet? We invite you to dive deeper into Especially Safe with the Program Guide and Implementation Resources below! PROGRAM Guide Here, you will find all the details related to our Especially Safe Program. This resource includes: How the program is mapped to our Comprehensive Approach to School Safety How planning teams can engage in the development of emergency operations plans that cover all hazards (fire, active assailant, weather, etc.) and all phases (prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery) of emergency management, while also ensuring that plans serve all members of the community. DOWNLOAD PREP GUIDE TOOLS TO Get Started Resources and Supports to Facilitate Implementation of Especially Safe Planning Templates & Tools Essential Questions for Inclusive Planning Checklist This comprehensive checklist highlights important questions in various areas that must be considered when planning for all individuals. Inclusive Safety Planning Survey Provides multidisciplinary teams a standardized way to identify and gather information on who may need an Individualized Safety Plan. Individual Safety Plan Template Planning teams can use this template to get started on building comprehensive Individualized Safety Plans. Individual Safety Plan (Hazard/Protocol-Specific Template) Planning teams can use this template to build hazard- and protocol-specific Individual Safety Plans. Individual Go-Kit Checklist This checklist allows teams to develop go-kits with specific individualized supplies that individuals may need to carry out their safety plan. Classroom Activities & Discussion Guides Introduction: Safe to be Me Safe to be Me: Demonstrate to learners what it means to be safe, feel safe, and how being safe helps us learn and grow. Help is All Around Me Show learners how to identify helpers in our community and how they have the tools to keep us safe. I Can Speak Up for Safety Equip learners to identify safety concerns and how to tell a helper about those concerns. Telling Not Tattling Help learners understand the importance of reporting safety concerns to a trusted adult. Fire Safety Teach learners the importance of fire safety and evacuation protocols. Wind and Weather Safety Highlight various types of severe weather and safety protocols to stay safe. People and Animal Safety Prepare learners to identify their “Stay Safe Choices” or actions in the event that an unsafe person/people or animal is inside or outside. Earthquake Safety Enable learners to recognize that an earthquake can be a safety situation and how “drop, cover, and hold” can be used as a safety strategy. MEET THE AUTHORS & LEAD TRAINERS Ben Fernandez Contributing Author Lorem Ipsum Michele Gay Contributing Author Lorem Ipsum Joseph McKenna Contributing Author Lorem Ipsum Dive Deeper Learn more about Especially Safe and how it can help your meet the special needs of students, staff, and visitors in your school community. LEARN MORE Bring Safe and Sound Training TO YOUR SCHOOL, DISTRICT OR ORGANIZATION! Our expert team is dedicated to empowering school safety stakeholders across the U.S. and beyond with training and tailored consulting. If none of our existing programs are the perfect fit, we also offer customized consulting to help you strengthen your school safety efforts. Please complete the form below to get started, and a member of our team will be in touch soon!

What do we mean when we say comprehensive school safety? Comprehensive school safety refers to preparedness strategies which address all hazards. Schools must consider all areas of school safety relevant to their site and community and remember to include representatives from each stakeholder group when creating a fully developed safety plan. CULTURE, CLIMATE & COMMUNITY Creating a safe and welcoming environment is essential to the safety and success of a school community. CULTURE, CLIMATE & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, LAW & POLICY Maintaining school safety includes adhering to federal, state and local laws and regulations. LEADERSHIP, LAW & POLICY OPERATIONS & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT The policies, protocols, and practices that support safety in day-to-day activity through times of crisis OPERATIONS & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SAFETY & SECURITY Ensuring physical safety and security requires knowledge of building use, infrastructure & design, safety & security. SAFETY & SECURITY HEALTH & WELLNESS Promoting the health and wellness of our school community can help us build healthier, safer, and more successful learning environments. HEALTH & WELLNESS MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Strong mental and behavioral health resources and programs are critical to a safe school environment. MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Rethinking SCHOOL SAFETY TOGETHER Explore the Safe and Sound Schools comprehensive framework today. DOWNLOAD THE FRAMEWORK LEARN MORE ©2025 Safe and Sound Schools, All rights reserved. For usage permission, submit a request. Strong mental and behavioral health resources and programs are critical to a safe school environment. Learn more about how community and school-based mental health providers, multi-disciplinary threat assessment teams, and mental & behavioral health resources can help ensure and enhance your school’s safety. Featured Resources: National Association of School Psychologists | Suicide Prevention Resource Center | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | StopBullying.gov Mental & Behavioral Health Back to Top Health & Wellness From allergy care to trauma care, to spotting signs of abuse or neglect, to promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity, to stress management and self care, promoting the health and wellness of our school community can help us build healthier, safer, and more successful learning environments. Featured Resources: Kids Health | National Association of School Nurses | CDC Healthy Schools | World Health Organization Back to Top Safety & Security Ensuring physical safety and security requires knowledge of building use, infrastructure & design, safety & security, impacts of weather & natural disaster, and the tools & technology available to help us. Learn more about creating naturally protective buildings and campuses to ensure the safety of your school community. Featured Resources: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design | National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments | Partner Alliance for Safer Schools Back to Top Culture, Climate & Community Creating a safe and welcoming environment is essential to the safety and success of a school community. Explore resources and programs that foster understanding, build relationships, and strengthen your school’s culture, climate & community engagement. Featured Resources: Jesse Lewis Choose Love | Final Report of the Federal Commission on School Safety | National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Back to Top Leadership, Law & Policy Maintaining school safety includes adhering to federal, state and local laws and regulations. In this section, explore resources to help your school community stay current and compliant with codes and laws such as FERPA, ADA, fire, and IDEA, and plan for the continual costs associated with keeping current for safety. Featured Resources: School Safety Law Blog | Lock Don’t Block | Americans with Disabilities Act | National Fire Protection Association Back to Top Operations & Emergency Management The policies, protocols, and practices that support safety in day-to-day activity through times of crisis are the cornerstones of school safety. From bus safety to reunification, and prevention through recovery, learn more about how strong operations and emergency management build a safer school community. Featured Resource: NFPA 3000™ | FEMA PrepTalks: Rethinking School Safety | National Association of School Resource Officers | The Standard Response Protocol & The Standard Reunification Method Back to Top Bring a Safe and Sound Training TO YOUR SCHOOL, DISTRICT, OR ORGANIZATION! Our expert team is dedicated to empowering school safety stakeholders across the U.S. and beyond with training and tailored consulting. If none of our existing programs are the perfect fit, we also offer customized consulting to help you strengthen your school safety efforts. Please complete the form below to get started, and a member of our team will be in touch soon! Comprehensive SCHOOL SAFETY True school safety goes beyond policies or drills — it’s about preparing for every hazard that could impact students, staff, and the wider school community. That’s why we believe every school’s plan should reflect its unique community and include every voice at the table. Contact us today to learn about how our comprehensive training can help you create safer, more supportive learning environments for all. GET TRAINING

Explore the library of Safe and Sound Schools resources. Safe & Sound RESOURCES Guides & Downloads GUIDE TO SAFER ONLINE PRACTICES We often describe school safety and student well-being as the ultimate team sport — it truly takes all of us. That’s why we’ve partnered with Snap Inc. to provide resources that empower parents, caregivers, and educators to help foster safer online environments for students. EXPLORE BTAM & ASD E-GUIDE Ideal for leaders and front-line staff, this guide provides best practice guidance to law enforcement agencies, leaders, and practitioners, as well as school officials, behavioral health specialists, parents, and community stakeholders. EXPLORE HEALTHY DIGITAL PRACTICES Building on insights from roundtable discussions with district and school administrators, mental health professionals, educators, and law enforcement officials, Safe and Sound Schools, Snapchat, and leading school safety experts joined forces to develop this toolkit. EXPLORE THE TOOLKITS Based on our Straight-A Safety Model, our free toolkits are a way to rethink school safety, designed to help communities facilitate conversations, problem-solving, and partnerships within the school community. EXPLORE CONVERSATION GUIDE FOR PARENTS Navigating conversations about school safety can feel overwhelming. Approaching these discussions thoughtfully can foster collaboration and ensure that safety initiatives are effective for every student. Download this guide for practical tips and insights to engage in constructive, informed, and impactful dialogue with school leaders. EXPLORE BEST PRACTICES FOR LOCKDOWN DRILLS Schools have been engaged in active threat response training for decades, but in recent years there has been a push for options-based training. This resource provides guidance on developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed approaches to preparing your school community to stay safe during a critical event. EXPLORE DIGITAL DANGERS & STUDENT BEHAVIOR Students do not separate their online and offline worlds, and neither can schools. The things students experience online can influence their well-being, relationships, behavior, and sense of safety. This guide explores how schools can equip educators, parents to support student well-being and students themselves to navigate the digital landscape. EXPLORE Programs & Training Resources ASV DATABASE Established in 2015, the Averted School Violence database has been rebuilt to enhance reporting and maximize impact. Join our mission to improve school safety and prevent future violence by anonymously and securely submitting an averted incident for review. EXPLORE PARENTS FOR SAFER SCHOOLS Designed to help parents and caregivers become school safety advocates and leaders of positive change, this program provides supplemental resources designed to help educate and inspire advocating with authority and credibility, and lead school safety initiatives in their communities. EXPLORE SAFE AND SOUND STUDENT CLUB Safe and Sound Students is a program designed to help students learn and get involved in school safety. The program equips students with resources to help them become advocates, leaders, agents of change, and tools to help them navigate and address school safety issues. EXPLORE STAYING SAFE Recognizing the unique needs of the school environment, Safe and Sound Schools has tailored this program to address the specific roles and responsibilities of school personnel, ensuring that the training is as relevant and effective as possible in a school context. EXPLORE Additional Resources BLOG Our blog brings together news, opinions, and expertise from a wide variety of respected industry experts. Explore today to learn more about how you can contribute to building a culture of safety in your community. READ BLOG PODCAST Join Michele Gay, founder and Director of Safe and Sound Schools and a mother who lost her child tragically in the Sandy Hook School tragedy, as she discusses practical and inspiring ways we can work together to ensure safer schools for all. VIEW EPISODES ANNUAL REPORTS Sound Schools Annual Report serves as a testament to the significant milestones we've reached together and the invaluable partnerships helping us advance our mission of protecting every school, every student, every day. REVIEW REPORTS POST CRISIS SUPPORT NETWORK Explore a network of survivors and safety professionals who can provide support during the recovery process. The road to recovery is long and unique to each individual affected. This is hard, emotional, and often, overwhelming. And it takes time. EXPLORE

Join Michele Gay, Founder and Executive Director of Safe and Sound Schools, Mo Canady, Executive Director of NASRO, for a 60-minute session designed to help school safety stakeholders learn from averted acts of violence. Lessons in Prevention: Real Cases and Insights from the Averted School Violence Database BACK Join Michele Gay, Founder and Executive Director of Safe and Sound Schools, Mo Canady, Executive Director of NASRO, for a 60-minute session designed to help school safety stakeholders learn from averted acts of violence. Every day, students, parents, educators, and school-based law enforcement officers take actions — big and small — that prevent tragedies in K-12 communities. These moments of awareness, courage, and coordination often go unseen, yet they hold powerful lessons for those seeking best practices to prevent future violence. This webinar explores the Averted School Violence (ASV) Project and recognizes these meaningful acts. The discussion features real-world cases analyzed for key takeaways to help attendees recognize warning signs, strengthen safety systems, and build more resilient schools.

We’ve partnered with Snap Inc. to provide resources that empower parents, caregivers, and educators to help foster safer online environments for students. A Parent’s Guide to Fostering Safer Online Practices on Snapchat & Beyond Fostering Safer Online Practices: It’s a Team Effort! At Safe and Sound Schools, we often describe school safety and student well-being as the ultimate team sport — it truly takes all of us. That’s why we’ve partnered with Snap Inc. to provide resources that empower parents, caregivers, and educators to help foster safer online environments for students. Download this free resource to begin cultivating a safer online experience for your children and teens today. DOWNLOAD NOW Instantly Access The Resources You Need We know that navigating today's digital world can feel overwhelming and this free guide was purpose-built with parents in mind. Inside you’ll find practical tools such as: An overview of Snapchat's main features and functionality, including Community Guidelines and reporting tools Tips and best practices on how to approach sensitive conversations with teens Conversation guides for talking about digital safety, including specific questions to ask Prompts to help teens process their feelings about social media Information on where to report and seek help for digital bullying, unwanted contact, and other concerning behavior GET THE GUIDE

Safe and Sound Schools is proud to introduce our newest program, Pathways for Prevention! This program was created to provide a practical approach to school violence prevention. Participants will explore universal violence prevention strategies, as well as targeted and intensive interventions for preventing and responding to violent behaviors to support safe and sound learning environments. BRING OUR PROGRAM TO YOUR COMMUNITY Pathways for Prevention equips school communities to better understand and leverage tools such as Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to keep their campus safe.This program was created to provide a practical approach to school violence prevention. Participants will explore universal violence prevention strategies, as well as targeted and intensive interventions for preventing and responding to violent behaviors to support safe and sound learning environments. Keep scrolling to learn more, including detailed information about each module, and our lead trainers. VALUE & OUTCOMES Our Workshops Will Help Participants: Understand and apply MTSS Learn to identify and utilize systems of support within school communities to ensure student growth, wellness, and safety Learn to foster a culture of care in their school community Understand how to assess and manage active threats in school communities to prevent school violence Explore universal violence prevention strategies, as well as targeted and intensive interventions for preventing and responding to violent behaviors to support safe and sound learning environments THE TRAINING MODULES Introduction to Pathways for Prevention Module #1 Participants will review the constructs of Multi-tiered Systems of Support and explore the application of MTSS for the prevention of school violence. Through real-world illustrations and examples, participants will recognize MTSS as a model of prevention, intervention, and postvention. Through subsequent modules, participants will learn to identify and utilize systems of support within their school community to ensure student growth, wellness, and safety in identified areas of need. Emotional Awareness and Management Module #2 Emotional awareness and management are critical social-emotional competencies that support student growth and can help prevent emotional, behavioral, and mental health crises. Through scenario-based examples and activities, these concepts will be defined, and participants will learn how schools can support their students’ growth in these areas in a multi-tiered system of support that focuses on social-emotional learning. Suicide Prevention & Intervention Module #3 Students experience a myriad of emotions as they progress through school. While most cope successfully with these feelings, many will harbor emotional pain so great that they have thoughts of suicide. In fact, approximately 50% of lifetime mental health conditions emerge by age 14 and 90% of deaths by suicide had an underlying mental illness. As mental health concerns increase, schools must be ready to address suicide prevention and intervention needs for all students. Through scenario-based examples and activities, participants will learn how to identify risk and protective factors and warning signs of suicide. They will also learn how schools can support students at-risk for suicide through implementation of MTSS such as, conducting suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and reintegrating students back into school after hospitalization. Additionally, best practices in suicide postvention will be defined and reviewed. Identifying and Supporting Student Trauma Experiences Module #4 Students experience various forms and degrees of trauma as a result of death, illness, crisis, and loss, often affecting behavioral, social-emotional and academic growth, which can lead to harmful behaviors if unrecognized and untreated. Through scenario-based examples and activities, participants will learn how to identify traumatic events, experience, and effects. A trauma-informed approach within a multi-tiered system of support will be described, and specific examples and resources will be provided in order to apply the concepts learned. Bullying Prevention and Intervention Module #5 A longstanding challenge for school communities across the country and spanning decades of American public education, bullying behavior is harmful to victims, offenders, and school communities nationwide, as well as linked to long-term mental health impacts and violent behaviors. Participants will explore the myriad issues and presentations of bullying in this module, exploring their impact upon students’ learning and sense of safety in school today. Examining multi-tiered solutions, interventions, strategies, and supports, participants will learn to identify and combat these challenges through universal, targeted, and intensive interventions and resources. Positive Behavior Supports Module #6 This training module explores the power of a positive approach to fostering a safe and welcoming school environment. Examining best practices in proactive, response, and management strategies across a multi-tiered systems approach, participants will gain practical tools for building a positive climate and supportive culture to increase positive student engagement, interaction, and growth, decreasing negative, harmful, and potentially violent behaviors in school. Responding to Threatening Behaviors Module #7 Before and beyond threat assessment, this learning module explores a Multi-tiered Systems of Support approach to preventing, addressing, and managing potential school violence. From fostering a culture of care to assessing and managing an active threat, school communities may be better positioned to prevent school violence than they realize. Participants will explore universal violence prevention strategies, as well as targeted and intensive interventions for preventing and responding to violent behaviors to support a safe learning environment. Supporting Individuals and School Communities Through Grief Experiences Module #8 Grief experiences impact school communities and individuals within the community in various forms and degrees, affecting behavioral, social-emotional and academic growth, potentially lead to harmful behaviors if unrecognized and untreated. Through scenario-based examples and activities, participants will learn how to identify and support individual and shared grief experiences through a multi-tiered systems approach. MEET THE AUTHORS & LEAD TRAINERS Dr. Stephen Brock Professor and the School Psychology Program Coordinator at College of Education at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Ben Fernandez PREPaRE Workshop #1 and #2 Master Trainer and Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Programs, Safe and Sound Schools Michele Gay Co-Founder and Executive Director, Safe and Sound Schools Dr. Amanda Nickerson Professor and Director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York Dr. Melissa Reeves Senior Advisor, Safe and Sound Schools and Senior Threat Manager & Trainer, SIGMA Threat Management Associates, an Ontic Company Bring Safe and Sound Training TO YOUR SCHOOL, DISTRICT OR ORGANIZATION! Our expert team is dedicated to empowering school safety stakeholders across the U.S. and beyond with training and tailored consulting. If none of our existing programs are the perfect fit, we also offer customized consulting to help you strengthen your school safety efforts. Please complete the form below to get started, and a member of our team will be in touch soon! Dive Deeper Learn more about Pathways for Prevention and how it can equip your school community with a practical approach to school violence prevention LEARN MORE Pathways FOR PREVENTION GET TRAINING

Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU In 2016, Molly B. Hudgens made national headlines for her courageous intervention in preventing a mass shooting at Sycamore Middle School, where she successfully talked a student with a loaded handgun out of committing the act. Her bravery, faith, and deep understanding of the student’s needs during the 90-minute encounter, earned her the Congressional Medal of Honor Citizens Award for a single act of heroism. With two decades of experience in education and extensive studies on school shootings and those who commit these acts, Hudgens offers schools and organizations practical, evidence-based strategies for navigating crisis situations. Her powerful story and expert insights resonate deeply with audiences, empowering them to foster strong support systems, resilience, and safe environments for both staff and students. In addition to inspiring audiences through her presentations, Hudgens continues to serve as a school counselor at Sycamore Middle School. WHY Book Molly FOR YOUR EVENT? “Molly Hudgens' presentation was truly one of the most impactful experiences our staff has had. Her storytelling ability and her powerful, first-hand insights into school safety kept everyone engaged from start to finish. Her compelling message resonated deeply with our team, shedding light on the vital role of building positive relationships with students. As one staff member put it, ' This was possibly the most impactful professional learning activity I have had in 27 years .' Molly’s story of resilience and her dedication to working with our unique student population not only inspired but empowered us to continue reaching out to our students. We are grateful for her insight, her authenticity, and her timely and relevant message on a topic that affects us all.” —Taylor Stowe, Director of Professional Learning, Mountain Education Charter High School WHO Books Molly ? Molly’s lived experience inspires every audience she speaks to, driving them to prepare for a moment where they might be called to “step into the gap” and intervene with a student in crisis. She is popular with a ride range of organizations, including: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Knoxville Edmonton Police Service, Alberta, Canada National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) California Association for School Counselors Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Secuity Agency Indiana Department of Education Iowa Dare Association Michigan State Police Kentucky Center for School Safety North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Center for School and Campus Safety Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network Virginia School Counselor Association Coastal Plains Regional Educational Service Agency Region 9 Education Service Center Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES Buena Park Mayor’s Office BOOK TODAY MOLLY BRADLEY HUDGENS School Counselor and Congressional Medal of Honor Citizens Honor Recipient BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Molly TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Mental & Behavioral Health Culture, Climate & Community Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Support Identifying & Supporting At-Risk Students Intervention Strategies MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) Averted School Violence Case Studies School Shooters: Profiles & Prevention Trauma-Informed Practices Childhood Trauma & Adverse Experiences Recovery & Resilience After Tragedy Lessons Learned from Tragedy Special Education Considerations Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. Saving Sycamore: The School Shooting That Never Happened 45-minute to 1-hour keynote and Q&A/Meet & Greet Molly shares the story of how she prevented a school shooting on September 28, 2016. Hudgens’ retelling of the event walks the audience through the specifics of the incident that took place in her office and highlights previous training that affected her decision-making process during the event. Hudgens speaks boldly of her faith throughout and challenges those in attendance to remember that every human interaction matters and that one life can make a difference. Perspectives In Prevention: From Sandy Hook to Sycamore 1-2 Hour Keynote Co-presented in braided format by presenters Molly Hudgens, school counselor at Sycamore Middle School, and Michele Gay, founder of Safe and Sound, this moving presentation contrasts two pathways to violence. Exploring numerous opportunities, practical strategies, and best practices for intervention, Michele and Molly highlight the power of each of us collectively to change the trajectory of an individual on the pathway to violence. Standing in the Gap: How Student-Driven Incident Reporting Guides our Sycamore Safety Initiatives After an averted school shooting in 2016, safety and security became more than just a broad concept for Sycamore Middle School in rural Cheatham County - thirty miles west of Nashville, Tennessee. In the aftermath, school officials around the world reached out asking about the school culture that had brought about a peaceful resolution when an armed eighth grader relinquished his weapon to counseling staff after a ninety-minute intervention. In this presentation, school counselors, Molly Hudgens and Matthew Shuff, will share how their staff navigated behavioral threat assessment initiatives, focused on school culture, and, forced by the pandemic, created a simple, yet effective method for student reporting. Challenged with finding a way for students to communicate threats, concerns, and requests for counseling, Hudgens and Shuff developed an incident reporting system that now, in year three, drives Sycamore Middle's safety initiatives. Born out of necessity, this streamlined approach allows students direct access to the school's support team and has become a way for a trusted adult to provide interventions, offer care, and develop rapport with students who are struggling while simultaneously gathering data and tracking students of concern. Designed for audiences of school administrators, counselors, classroom educators, nurses, social workers, school resource officers, and support staff, this presentation shows how the whole-school approach, led by the students themselves, has saved lives at Sycamore Middle and can teach others how to do the same in their own school communities. Saving Sycamore: How Faith & Prayer Averted a Mass Shooting 45-minute to 1-hour Keynote and Q&A/Meet & Greet On September 28, 2016, Molly Hudgens, a school counselor at Sycamore Middle School in Pleasant View, Tennessee, averted a mass shooting when a fourteen-year-old eighth grader armed with a fully-loaded, semi-automatic handgun and additional ammunition came to her with a plan to harm people on campus. It would take ninety minutes, and praying with the young man on her knees beside him before he would relinquish the weapon. In her testimony presentation, Hudgens shares how her faith was paramount in preventing a massacre at her school and explains in detail how God prepared her for a spiritual battle that would take place on holy ground in a public school. Saving Sycamore: How to Avert a Mass Shooting on Your Campus 90-minute Keynote and Q&A/Meet & Greet On September 28, 2016, Molly Hudgens, a school counselor at Sycamore Middle School in Pleasant View, Tennessee, averted a mass shooting when a fourteen-year-old eighth grader armed with a fully-loaded, semi-automatic handgun and additional ammunition came to her with a plan to harm people on campus. He told her that she was the only person who could talk it him out of it. After ninety minutes and praying with the young man, he relinquished the weapon with no shots fired and no lives lost. In this presentation Hudgens shares the impact of relationships and school culture on preventing school violence while offering steps to strengthen the safety of students on your own school campuses. Recognizing Red Flags: An Educator’s Role in Preventing Teen Violence 6-hour Session This session is designed to teach professionals how to recognize and respond to young people in crisis, Hudgens’ dissection of “The School Shooting that Never Happened” parallels an in-depth psychological study of school shooters with the behaviors and actions of the young man at her school for the year leading up to and the day of his incident. Hudgens’ explanation will demonstrate how 18 years of research into the psychological mindset of violent teenage offenders on campus prepared her to “Recognize the Red Flags” she used to save her life and that of others at her school that day…including the young man involved. Participants will leave prepared to make changes to their crisis plans in order to include not only recognition of potential offenders and threat assessment tools, but also how to incorporate interventions through mental health counseling, student connectedness, and staff preparedness. The Dissection & Intervention of an “Almost” School Shooter: How Recognizing Red Flags Can Prevent Tragedy 90-minute to 3-hour Keynote and Q&A/Meet & Greet In this workshop, Hudgens, a 21-year veteran of education, guides the audience through the entire ninety minutes of the day she stopped a school shooting using pictures and her first-person account. Designed to teach professionals how to recognize and respond to young people in crisis, Hudgens’ dissection of “The School Shooting that Never Happened” parallels an in-depth psychological study of school shooters with the behaviors and actions of the young man at her school for the year leading up to and the day of his incident. Hudgens’ explanation will demonstrate how 18 years of research into the psychological mindset of violent teenage offenders on campus prepared her to “Recognize the Red Flags” she used to save her life and that of others at her school that day…including the young man involved. Participants will leave prepared to make changes to their crisis plans in order to include not only recognition of potential offenders and threat assessment tools, but also how to incorporate interventions through mental health counseling, student connectedness, and staff preparedness. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 Our time with Molly yesterday was phenomenal. I had several people tell me that yesterday was the BEST training we have hosted at CPRESA. Nothing but positives from CPRESA. —Tammy Sellers, Coastal Plains Regional Educational Service Agency Molly was wonderful! Her keynote was engaging, motivating and moving. Our participants loved her message and were so happy to receive a copy of her book. Many superintendents were inquiring about booking her for staff development or superintendent retreats. We would love to have her back to Region 9 in the future! — Melissa Burnheimer, Mental Health Specialist, Region 9 Education Service Center Well, I bet you hear this often, Molly is just pure joy. Her presentation touched us all and everyone thoroughly enjoyed listening to her speak. We can’t thank her enough for sharing her story. We would absolutely love to work with you again. —Tammy Blackburn, Departmental Manager, Michigan State Police Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY On September 28, 2016, Molly Hudgens, a school counselor in Pleasant View, Tennessee, averted a school shooting when a fourteen-year-old eighth grader, armed with a semi-automatic handgun and an additional magazine of ammunition, came to her in the counseling department at Sycamore Middle School with a plan to harm people on their campus. He told her, “I think you’re the only person who can talk me out of this.” After ninety minutes of talking and ultimately praying with the young man on her knees beside him, Hudgens was able to convince the student to relinquish the weapon to her with no shots fired and no lives lost. As a result of her intervention, Hudgens became a 2017 recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Citizens Honor for a single act of heroism. After a personal experience in college, her interest in violence prevention and safety sparked a desire to educate others who work with intervening in the lives of potentially violent teenagers. Her in-depth study on school shootings and the teenagers who commit these acts, “Recognizing Red Flags,” written prior to the averted school shooting incident at her school, has been utilized nationally to train professionals in the fields of education, law enforcement, juvenile probation, and juvenile court. The training focuses on understanding the three types of school shooters and how to use threat assessment tools as an intervention to prevent violent acts in a school and community setting. Hudgens, the 2004-2005 and 2016-2017 Sycamore Middle School and Cheatham County Middle School Teacher of the Year, is also the 2017 recipient of the Tennessee School Counseling Association’s Phoebe White Award for Excellence in School Counseling and the 2019 Mental Health of the Midsouth's I.C. Hope Award for bringing mental health awareness to schools. Hudgens has been the recipient of three state recognitions for heroic actions on September 28, 2016—a Proclamation from the Tennessee House of Representatives in October of 2016, House Resolution No. 66 from the Tennessee House of Representatives in March of 2017, and Senate Resolution No. 40 from the Tennessee State Senate in April of 2017. Mrs. Hudgens has also been a nominee for the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission as well as the American Hero Channel’s Red Bandanna Hero Award in 2017. Book Molly TODAY!

WHY Book Brian FOR YOUR EVENT? WHO Books Brian ? BOOK TODAY BRIAN TOWNSEND Retired Supervisory Special Agent/Resident Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Brian TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Book Brian TODAY!

WHY Book Brian FOR YOUR EVENT? WHO Books Brian ? BOOK TODAY BRIAN TOWNSEND Retired Supervisory Special Agent/Resident Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Brian TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Book Brian TODAY! Testimonials

Featured Antoinette King, CISSP, PSP, SICC, is a leading voice in school safety, bridging the gap between physical and cybersecurity to help schools and organizations navigate today’s complex threat landscape. With a deep understanding of how digital vulnerabilities impact physical safety, she challenges communities to expand their definition of security and take an integrated approach. Antoinette’s work is built on proactive prevention, shared responsibility, and the belief that safety begin with informed, empowered teams. Through her solutions-focused presentations, Antoinette equips educators, administrators, and safety leaders with the tools they need to protect students in both the physical and digital spaces—making her a vital resource for schools striving to stay ahead of evolving risks. WHY Book Antoinette King FOR YOUR EVENT? “We've had the privilege of working with Antoinette in multiple capacities over the last few years. From her contributions to our Safe, Sound, and Healthy Digital Environments toolkit for educators to her highly rated 'The Invisible Threat: Cyber Risks Facing Today's Students' keynote at our Northeast Summit, she brings passion and expertise to a very critical area in school safety. Having her as an exclusive member of our Safe and Sound Speakers Bureau is an incredible benefit to any school, district, or parent organization navigating the complex environment of physical safety, cyber security, and digital citizenship!” – Michele Gay, Founder and Executive Director, Safe and Sound Schools WHO Books Antoinette King ? Antoinette’s presentations are founded in decades of expertise in both physical and cybersecurity. She connects with audiences through relatable examples, forward-thinking strategies, and a clear commitment to empowering school communities to take action in the face of evolving threats. Her presentations cover topics such as integrated school security, cybersecurity awareness, digital privacy, and building a culture of safety that spans both physical spaces and online environments. Recent audiences Antoinette has spoken to include: Security Industry Association (SIA) Global Security Exchange (GSX) ISC West Northeast School Safety Summit Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Antoinette - book her today! BOOK TODAY ANTOINETTE KING, CISSP Physical & Cyber Security Expert BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Antoinette King TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! Antoinette’s book The Digital Citizen's Guide to Cybersecurity: How to Be Safe and Empowered Online is available for purchase on Amazon . SPEAKER Topics Include Safety & Security Digital Safety & Online Threats Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention Security Physical Security & Risk Assessment Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. Building a Strong Cybersecurity Culture in your District Building a strong cybersecurity culture in your school district is crucial to protecting sensitive data, ensuring compliance, and fostering a security-first mindset among staff, students, and administrators. This session will explore how governance frameworks can establish clear cybersecurity policies, how executive buy-in can drive meaningful change, and how performing gap assessments can identify vulnerabilities in existing practices. By understanding these key elements, school leaders can create a cybersecurity strategy that is proactive, sustainable, and ingrained in daily operations. Differentiating Between Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response Plans Organizations face a range of disruptions, from cyberattacks to natural disasters, making it crucial to have well-defined response strategies. This session will clarify the distinctions between Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response plans, highlighting how each contributes to organizational resilience. Attendees will explore the significance of conducting a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to prioritize recovery efforts, understand the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in each plan, and learn how leadership buy-in ensures effective implementation. By the end of the session, participants will gain actionable insights to strengthen preparedness and response frameworks within their organizations. Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Transitioning Your District to Cloud Services and Solutions Transitioning to cloud services and solutions can offer school districts enhanced flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. However, it also introduces new considerations around data security, privacy, and shared responsibilities between cloud providers and users. This session will explore the benefits and risks of moving your school district to the cloud, clarifying critical concepts such as Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Attendees will gain insights into data security obligations, best practices for protecting sensitive student and administrative information, and strategies for ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. Testing, Training, Exercising Your District-wide Cybersecurity Plans A well-developed cybersecurity plan is only as effective as its testing, training, and exercises. School districts must regularly assess their Disaster Recovery (DR), Incident Response (IR), and Business Continuity (BCP) plans to ensure they are practical, comprehensive, and actionable. This session will provide strategies for selecting the right stakeholders, crafting realistic tabletop exercise scenarios, and conducting thorough after-action reviews to refine district-wide cybersecurity preparedness. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to strengthen their cybersecurity plans through structured testing and continuous improvement. Strengthening Cybersecurity in K-12 Education Through Internal Assessments Ensuring the security of sensitive data and technology in K-12 education is more critical than ever. Join us for an enlightening webinar, "Strengthening Cybersecurity in K-12 Education Through Internal Assessments," where we will explore how conducting thorough internal assessments can bolster cybersecurity efforts in educational institutions. This session will provide participants with actionable insights to identify vulnerabilities, address gaps, and implement effective solutions to create a secure learning environment. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 "Every family that engages online and on social media should have their hands on [Antoinette King's] book. Employers are increasingly tightening their cybersecurity practices and policies, but as more people work and attend classes from home, the home network our families share is now totally interconnected and vulnerable to cyber crimes like phishing, hacking, and ransomware. Why not create the same safe practices we agree to follow at work, for our home? Ms. King writes an approachable, fun, kind, and empathetic way to open conversations with our families on how to protect your most important digital assets." -Susan F. "[Antoinette King's book is] a comprehensive and accessible resource for anyone looking to protect themselves in the digital world. Antoinette does a fantastic job of breaking down complex cybersecurity concepts into easy-to-understand language, making it a perfect read for beginners and experts alike. The practical tips and real-world examples provided throughout the book are incredibly helpful, and the emphasis on personal empowerment in the digital age is truly inspiring. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to stay safe and secure online – it's a must-read!" Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Antoinette King, CISSP, PSP, SICC has more than two decades of experience in the security industry, working in integration, education, manufacturing, and consulting. Antoinette founded Credo Cyber Consulting in 2020 with the goal of providing her clients a holistic perspective on security, bridging the gap between the physical and cybersecurity domains focusing on data privacy and protection. Her book, The Digital Citizen’s Guide to Cybersecurity: How to Stay Safe and Empowered Online hit the Amazon Best Seller’s list for all its categories in the first 48 hours of release. Antoinette is a Board-Certified Physical Security Professional (PSP), as well as a certified Data Privacy Protection Specialist (DPPS). She has an associate degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Managing Security Systems, and master’s degree in Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management. Antoinette has presented on data privacy and cybersecurity in several capacities including webinars and in person engagements. She has also published articles on the topics of cybersecurity, data privacy, creating an insider threat programs, and digital citizenship. Additional awards and praise include: Honoree, 2024 SIA Women in Security Forum Power 100 Honoree, 2023 Top 100 Global Women in Cybersecurity Honoree, 2023 SIA Women in Security Forum Power 100 Winner, 2022 Cyber OSPAs Best Cybersecurity Consultant Winner, ASIS 2022 Karen Marquez Award Winner, SIA Chairman’s Award 2022 Honoree, SIA 2022 Women in Security Forum Power 100 Winner, SIA 2020 Women in Security Forum Scholarship Winner, SIA 2018 RISE Scholarship Book Antoinette King TODAY!

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WHY Book Dr. Gerber FOR YOUR EVENT? WHO Books Dr. Gerber ? BOOK TODAY DR. GREG GERBER Assistant Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Dr. Gerber TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Book Dr. Gerber TODAY! Testimonials