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 Servies 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 Review 1 Review 2 "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! Testimonials

Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU Paul Timm is a decorated expert and recognized voice in the field of school safety and physical security. A Board-Certified Physical Security Professional (PSP), author of School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program , and host of “The Changing Face of School Security podcast, Timm is has spent decades conducting security assessments and advising educational institutions on actionable strategies to enhance their safety programs. Named one of Security Magazine’s Most Influential People in Security in 2020, he combines proven expertise with a practical approach and a deep understanding of school security to equip educators and administrators with the knowledge and tools needed to create safer learning environments. WHY Book Paul FOR YOUR EVENT? “Paul was FABULOUS!!! We would love to continue to work with him in the future. Thank you so much for your quick communication and responsiveness. He was super engaging and entertaining. His practical recommendations were feasible for others to wrap their mind around. We will certainly stay in touch and recommend him to our contacts and networks!” —Jenny Brockway, Coordinator: Counseling Services, Strategic Initiatives Division, Region 13 Education Service Center WHO Books Paul ? As a trusted expert, author, and speaker, Paul Timm equips organizations with practical strategies to strengthen school safety and security. He continually helps to build safer, more resilient learning environments by sharing insights and subject matter expertise with conference audiences and organizations of all sizes. Recent appearances include: National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Global Security Exchange (GSX) ASIS International Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) Campus Safety Conference Indiana Department of Education Michigan State Police New York State Association of Independent Schools La Grange Area Department of Special Education Region 13 Education Service Center Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative Jessup University Lubbock ISD Raptor Technologies SchoolSAFE Conference Lightspeed Technologies BOOK TODAY PAUL TIMM PSP, Physical Security Expert BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Paul TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Safety & Security Leadership, Law & Policy Operations & Emergency Management Security Physical Security & Risk Assessment Emergency Preparedness & Response 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. Three Keys to Effective School Security 1-2 Hour Keynote An effective school security program depends on more than just the state-mandated crisis management plan. How can you make sure your school is effectively addressing areas of vulnerability? This presentation will provide you with the tools you need to proactively and holistically approach school safety and security. Special focus will be placed on Collaboration, Awareness and Student Involvement. From train-the-trainer style quizzes to photographic vulnerability identification, attendees will benefit from an interactive environment. Attendees will learn how to address common security issues, implement site-specific strategies and access helpful resources. Trends in School Security School administrators are bombarded with potential solutions to make schools safer. How effective are these products and systems? In an interactive environment, attendees will learn the pros and cons of today’s offerings. Attendees will also gain an understanding of guidance, trends, and emerging threats critical to effective security planning. Raising Awareness: Moving From a Mayberry Mentality to a “See Something, Say Something” Culture 1-2 Hour Keynote or Workshop The “it can’t happen here” mindset is both incorrect and potentially debilitating from a loss prevention and emergency preparedness standpoint. How can schools effectively change the culture without scaring teachers and staff into submission? This highly interactive and practical presentation will equip attendees with a variety of ways to heighten safety awareness. Attendees will also benefit from the latest reporting methods. From engaging photo identification and video exercises to positive reinforcement and appropriate student involvement, don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to lead individuals to personally invest in making the learning environment safer! School Security Vulnerabilities & Solutions Where are your biggest security gaps and how can you address them? This highly engaging presentation will identify typical issues encountered during a 25-year career of conducting more than 2,000 security assessments. Attendees will benefit from photo identification exercises that demonstrate both security problems and potential solutions. Emergency Preparedness Tabletop Exercise 1-hour to Half Day Workshop During any emergency, it is important to be able to draw from all available resources. The special skills, training and capabilities of staff will play a vital role in coping with the effects of any disaster, and they will be of paramount importance during and after a major event. Participants in this train-the-trainer session will be placed in tabletop teams and be assigned specific roles (e.g. spokesperson, scribe, stakeholder). Once the rules are explained and the emergency scenario is introduced, participants will have facilitated and timed discussions with Q&A time among their teams. Each team will then share specific responses as the scenario unfolds. Lessons learned from K-12 incidents and other resources will be shared. Preventing & Preparing for the Active Shooter School Safety Before and After School Hours 1-2 Hour Workshop Providing a safe learning environment during the school day is challenging enough. How can safety and security be improved before and after class time? Join us as we address the difficulties that schools face in early-morning programs and after-school events. Learn how to effectively implement security measures and strengthen emergency preparedness. Benefit from helpful resources. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 The presentation was terrific. I think everyone appreciated the information and guidance Paul had to share. I think it was probably just the right amount of information for the right amount of time. Raised everyone's anxiety a little given that our building is far from perfect but he helped in terms of prioritizing safety concerns and I think everyone was glad for that. —Ellie Ambuehl, Executive Director, La Grange Area Department of Special Education The presentation was terrific. I think everyone appreciated the information and guidance Paul had to share. I think it was probably just the right amount of information for the right amount of time. Raised everyone's anxiety a little given that our building is far from perfect but he helped in terms of prioritizing safety concerns and I think everyone was glad for that. —Ellie Ambuehl, Executive Director, La Grange Area Department of Special Education The presentation was terrific. I think everyone appreciated the information and guidance Paul had to share. I think it was probably just the right amount of information for the right amount of time. Raised everyone's anxiety a little given that our building is far from perfect but he helped in terms of prioritizing safety concerns and I think everyone was glad for that. —Ellie Ambuehl, Executive Director, La Grange Area Department of Special Education Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Paul Timm, Director of Education Safety at Allegion, is a board-certified Physical Security Professional (PSP). He is the author of School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program , and the host of "The Changing Face of School Security" podcast. Paul was named one of the Most Influential People in Security in 2020 by Security Magazine. In addition to having conducted more than 2,000 vulnerability assessments and his frequent keynote addresses, Paul is an experienced School Crisis Assistance Team volunteer through the National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA). He serves on the Campus Safety Conferences Advisory Board, the Advisory Council for the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, the ASIS International School Safety and Security Community, and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials Risk Management Committee. Paul is certified in Vulnerability Assessment Methodology (VAM) through Sandia National Laboratories and the ALPHA vulnerability assessment methodology. Paul holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Book Paul TODAY!

Staying Safe is an options-based emergency response framework that equips staff and students with a variety of safety skills that they can use in different situations. 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... Staying SAFE GET TRAINING WHAT IS Staying Safe? Staying Safe is an options-based emergency response framework that equips staff and students with a variety of safety skills that they can use in different situations. 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. We aim to teach safety skills as practical actions that individuals can apply based on their circumstances. Empower Your School with Adaptable Safety Skills Staying Safe provides lifelong tools that align to and support existing procedures and protocols, and it is intentionally designed to dovetail with your current emergency plans and safety drills. Learn more about the program by downloading the Staying Safe Program Guide today! DOWNLOAD NOW PROGRAM Highlights Staying Safe was designed with all ages and abilities in mind. The program focuses on the following: Behaviors and choices that support safe decision-making during an unsafe situation Preparedness tools to utilize in a crisis Simple and familiar actions that students and staff can follow during a crisis to increase their chance of safety Supplemental protocols and procedures to support policies already in place, such as SRP, SRM, and EOPs Active discussion, exploration, learning, and practice designed to build confidence and competence Leveraging the expertise of your multi-disciplinary team Training Details The Staying Safe training program is an 8-hour training that is filled with hands-on activities and discussions to prepare individuals to implement this program with high fidelity. The training covers: The foundation of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program and their Civilian Response to Active Shooter (CRASE) model. How to educate and teach staff and students in the most age and developmentally appropriate manner. How to implement this program successfully in various grade level bands. We also provide additional resources and hands-on support in this training to assist you in implementing Staying Safe with fidelity . 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!

Safe and Sound Schools' most frequently asked questions. All Safe & Sound Programs About Safe & Sound Will Safe & Sound come to us? Yes, we will visit, present workshops, and/or speak in your school community. We also provide customized presentations for school communities and organizations. Email us at info@safeandsoundschools.org for more information. How can I improve school security at my child's school? Start talking informally and formally with parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, fire and emergency responders in your community. Check our Parents for Safe Students for tips and tools for starting these conversations and initiatives, and share them within your community. Supporting the development of productive dialogue and partnerships in communities is a central part of our mission at Safe and Sound Schools. Do you promote the products from your sponsored partners? No. This page is a list of corporations and organizations that have generously provided donations or in-kind services to support our mission. Many of these organizations are school safety and security related. It is the responsibility of the consumer to research, vet, and decide whether any of our sponsors’ services or products may be of benefit to their individual school community. Safe and Sound makes no product/service recommendations or endorsements. How can I support Safe & Sound? You can support our work by sharing it in your community and participating on our website and social media platforms. You can also join our community to receive updates, new information, and resources by subscribing to our email list . We gratefully accept online donations to support our research, the development of our free materials, and travel around the country to school communities. Visit our donation page to support us with your tax-deductible donation. Lastly, you can invite us to speak in your community. For more information on our speaker services Email us at: info@safeandsoundschools.org . Is Safe & Sound associated with Sandy Hook Promise organization? No, we are not. You will see a number of different organizations, foundations, and works started by Sandy Hook families as a way to help others and heal from the tragedy. Safe and Sound Schools is unique in its focus on positive and practical ways to empower communities to improve school safety. Does Safe & Sound have a political agenda? No, we are a grassroots organization with no political ties or obligations. Safe & Sound is committed to a nonpartisan approach to problem solving. To make the greatest impact upon school security and safety issues, we look to engage all local and national community members in active problem solving together. School security and safety are everyone’s prerogative. Does Safe & Sound take a position on gun control? We advocate for highly specific preparations, plans, and measures tailored to the safety and security needs of each school building and community. Security guards and police officers are one possible measure schools can put in place to improve safety. At Safe and Sound, we advocate for multiple layers of protection in order to best secure the safety of your school community. Further, a thoughtful, professional safety assessment within one community may warrant the employment of security guards or police officers, while it may not be warranted or practical in another community. This decision belongs to each individual school community and will depend on the needs, budget, and desires of that community. Does Safe & Sound have a position on arming school staff? We advocate for the presence of sworn law enforcement officers in the school community, specifically school resource officers. Their specific training allows them to best serve as a safety resource to staff and students, build proactive relationships within the community, and carry a firearm and/or other tools to provide protection and intervention when necessary. While it is expensive and time intensive to train civilian staff members to safely carry and use a firearm in the same capacity, factors such as geography, man-power, and local resources have forced some school communities to explore other options. Further, the culture, climate, and values of each school community are unique and important considerations. For these reasons, we believe that the decision to arm school personnel or not, must reside at the local level and include representation from a variety of community perspectives and professional disciplines. Why do you not support door barricdes and all secondary locking devices? As we tackle the issue of school safety, it is important we don’t sacrifice one category for another. Understanding the laws and policies affecting schools should be a key part of a community’s comprehensive school safety plan. While we applaud the good intentions of many manufacturers of door barricade and secondary locking devices, Safe and Sound Schools firmly advocates for installing locking devices that comply with federal and state fire codes from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA ) as well as regulations from the Americans with Disabilities Act . We encourage all solution providers to continue to innovate for safety and security in accordance with laws and standards so together, we can make our schools safer. Do you promote the products from your sponsored partners? No. This page is a list of corporations and organizations that have generously provided donations or in-kind services to support our mission. Many of these organizations are school safety and security related. It is the responsibility of the consumer to research, vet, and decide whether any of our sponsors’ services or products may be of benefit to their individual school community. Safe and Sound makes no product/service recommendations or endorsements. How are donations used? No. However we work alongside many individuals and organizations toward the shared goal of safer schools. Does Safe & Sound fund other non-profits or causes? No. However we work alongside many individuals and organizations toward the shared goal of safer schools. Does Safe & Sound fund schools? No. We are a clearinghouse of information and a platform for a nationwide movement to improve the safety our nation’s schools. We gather ideas, create, and share resources to educate and empower school communities to improve schools safety. Will Safe & Sound come to us? Yes, we will visit, present workshops, and/or speak in your school community. We also provide customized presentations for school communities and organizations. Email us at info@safeandsoundschools.org for more information. Is Safe & Sound associated with Sandy Hook Promise organization? No, we are not. You will see a number of different organizations, foundations, and works started by Sandy Hook families as a way to help others and heal from the tragedy. Safe and Sound Schools is unique in its focus on positive and practical ways to empower communities to improve school safety. Does Safe & Sound have a political agenda? No, we are a grassroots organization with no political ties or obligations. Safe & Sound is committed to a nonpartisan approach to problem solving. To make the greatest impact upon school security and safety issues, we look to engage all local and national community members in active problem solving together. School security and safety are everyone’s prerogative. Does Safe & Sound take a position on gun control? We advocate for highly specific preparations, plans, and measures tailored to the safety and security needs of each school building and community. Security guards and police officers are one possible measure schools can put in place to improve safety. At Safe and Sound, we advocate for multiple layers of protection in order to best secure the safety of your school community. Further, a thoughtful, professional safety assessment within one community may warrant the employment of security guards or police officers, while it may not be warranted or practical in another community. This decision belongs to each individual school community and will depend on the needs, budget, and desires of that community. Does Safe & Sound have a position on arming school staff? We advocate for the presence of sworn law enforcement officers in the school community, specifically school resource officers. Their specific training allows them to best serve as a safety resource to staff and students, build proactive relationships within the community, and carry a firearm and/or other tools to provide protection and intervention when necessary. While it is expensive and time intensive to train civilian staff members to safely carry and use a firearm in the same capacity, factors such as geography, man-power, and local resources have forced some school communities to explore other options. Further, the culture, climate, and values of each school community are unique and important considerations. For these reasons, we believe that the decision to arm school personnel or not, must reside at the local level and include representation from a variety of community perspectives and professional disciplines. Why do you not support door barricdes and all secondary locking devices? As we tackle the issue of school safety, it is important we don’t sacrifice one category for another. Understanding the laws and policies affecting schools should be a key part of a community’s comprehensive school safety plan. While we applaud the good intentions of many manufacturers of door barricade and secondary locking devices, Safe and Sound Schools firmly advocates for installing locking devices that comply with federal and state fire codes from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA ) as well as regulations from the Americans with Disabilities Act . We encourage all solution providers to continue to innovate for safety and security in accordance with laws and standards so together, we can make our schools safer. Do you promote the products from your sponsored partners? No. This page is a list of corporations and organizations that have generously provided donations or in-kind services to support our mission. Many of these organizations are school safety and security related. It is the responsibility of the consumer to research, vet, and decide whether any of our sponsors’ services or products may be of benefit to their individual school community. Safe and Sound makes no product/service recommendations or endorsements. How can I improve school security at my child's school? Start talking informally and formally with parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, fire and emergency responders in your community. Check our Parents for Safe Students for tips and tools for starting these conversations and initiatives, and share them within your community. Supporting the development of productive dialogue and partnerships in communities is a central part of our mission at Safe and Sound Schools. How can I support Safe & Sound? You can support our work by sharing it in your community and participating on our website and social media platforms. You can also join our community to receive updates, new information, and resources by subscribing to our email list . We gratefully accept online donations to support our research, the development of our free materials, and travel around the country to school communities. Visit our donation page to support us with your tax-deductible donation. Lastly, you can invite us to speak in your community. For more information on our speaker services Email us at: info@safeandsoundschools.org . Is Safe & Sound a non-profit organization? Safe and Sound Schools is a non-stock corporation formed under Connecticut law and registered with Connecticut to solicit charitable donations. We are recognized as a tax-exempt entity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code by the IRS. Are donations tax-deductible? Yes! Safe and Sound is recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Your contribution is deductible for income tax purposes. How are donations used? No. However we work alongside many individuals and organizations toward the shared goal of safer schools. Does Safe & Sound fund other non-profits or causes? No. However we work alongside many individuals and organizations toward the shared goal of safer schools. Does Safe & Sound fund schools? No. We are a clearinghouse of information and a platform for a nationwide movement to improve the safety our nation’s schools. We gather ideas, create, and share resources to educate and empower school communities to improve schools safety. Frequently Asked QUESTIONS

Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC, is a leader and advocate in school safety, mental health, and crisis prevention and response. With decades of experience as a school psychologist, licensed professional counselor, and educator, and international advisor, she empowers educators and school communities to build systems that are proactive, trauma-informed, and deeply student-centered. A past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and co-author of the PREPaRE curriculum, Dr. Reeves brings globally recognized leadership to her work, challenging schools to embrace a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to prevention and crisis response. With a deep commitment to student well-being, Melissa equips her audiences with the knowledge and tools they need to support safer, healthier learning environments. WHY Book Dr. Reeves FOR YOUR EVENT? “Dr. Melissa Reeves has conducted dozens of workshops for both state and national conference that I have organized. She consistently receives the highest feedback from workshop attendees and carefully crafts her presentations to the specific needs of the audience. Dr. Reeves delivers her presentations with much enthusiasm and incorporates activities that target adult learning styles. She is a repeat workshop presenter due to high demand, participant request, and a proven track record.” - Anthony M. Adamowksi, M.Ed., Senior Manager - School Psychology, Chicago Public Schools WHO Books Dr. Reeves ? Dr. Reeves’ presentations are firmly grounded in decades of research and front-line experience. She engages international audiences with practical strategies, relatable case examples, and a calm, confident presence that fosters learning and reflection. Her presentations focus on topics such as school-based crisis prevention and response, trauma-informed practices, behavioral threat assessment, and building mental health supports that strengthen school safety and student resilience. Recent audiences Melissa has spoken to include: Michigan State Police Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Chicago Public Schools Rock Hill School District Houston Independent School District Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education Gangs, Guns, and School Violence Prevention Summit (Vancouver, BC) Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Dr. Reeves - book her today! BOOK TODAY DR. MELISSA REEVES Former President of the National Association of School Psychologists BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Dr. Reeves TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Mental & Behavioral Health Culture, Climate, & Policy Leadership, Law, & Policy Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Support Identifying & Supporting At-Risk Students Intervention Strategies MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Leader-care/Self-care Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management Violence Prevention Strategies Best Practices for Drills Trauma-Informed Practices Childhood Trauma & Adverse Experiences Inclusive School Safety Practices 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. Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM): Best Practices for K-12 Schools 6 - 6.5 hours This workshop will focus on the process and procedures needed to establish a consistent school/district-wide approach to behavioral threat assessment and management. The roles and responsibilities of a multidisciplinary team following best practices established by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (USSS/NTAC) and United States Department of Education will be taught. In addition, current statistics, legal cases, post-incident reviews, early identification of warning signs, primary prevention strategies to "break the code of silence”; screening and assessment procedures; and strategies for interventions, postventions, and working with difficult parents will be integrated. Case study examples and forms will also be shared to illustrate the process. This workshop accompanies the book authored by Dr. Reeves titled Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management. Participants will learn: how to establish a consistent school/district-wide approach to BTAM using the 8-steps identified by USSS/NTAC the critical risk factors and warning signs contributing to risk best practice guidelines and lessons learned from prior legal cases reports primary prevention strategies to break the code of silence how to assess risk using best practice guidelines and procedures established by the US Secret Service and US Dept of Education strategies for interventions and postvention strategies for working with difficult parents how to conduct a BTAM screening and full assessment utilizing case study examples It is highly recommended that school/district BTAM teams attend the training together. Critical team members include administrators (principals/assistant principals/deans), school psychologists, counselors, social workers, school resource officers, and law enforcement. Other important professionals also include behavioral interventionists, special education professionals/case managers, nurses, and community mental health professionals and law enforcement officers providing services in the schools and/or those who may help work threat assessment cases. Advanced Threat Assessment Training 3 – 3.5-hour training Can be combined with Best Practices for a Defensible Process and/or Special Education Considerations, see below, to make a 4.5 – 6.5 hour/full day workshop This workshop will examine the most current research and recommendations to ensure your school’s threat assessment process incorporates the most recent best practice guidelines. Participants will learn current best practices, the importance of investigating social media posts, and how our own biases can cloud judgment. In addition, post incident reports will be reviewed that provide an analysis of lessons learned from prior threat assessment cases and school shootings. Dr. Reeves will also share lessons learned from her experience in serving as an expert witness in court cases involving threat assessment and targeted school violence. Important findings will be discussed with an emphasis on the role of the school mental health professionals and SRO’s, the critical importance of establishing a multi-disciplinary threat assessment team, and the systemic barriers that complicated information sharing, documentation, and follow-up planning and supports. Participants will also analyze the reports to identify risk factors, warning signs, and missed opportunities for intervention. Specific recommendations for improving the fidelity of implementation of best practice threat assessment protocols will be provided. This workshop accompanies the book authored by Dr. Reeves titled Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management: K-12 Schools. Participants will: identify current best practices to improve their school’s threat assessment process learn the importance of searching for online threatening social media posts identify the impact biases can have on the interpretation of warning signs analyze case study data to identify opportunities missed when determining severity of a threat discuss specific strategies that need to be implemented to improve a school/district threat assessment process Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management: Legal and Best Practice Updates 1 - 2 hours This workshop will discuss how to make your school/district’s BTAM process more legally defensible. Dr. Reeves will share lessons learned from her experience in serving as an expert witness in a threat assessment case for a large school district. Important findings will be discussed with an emphasis on the critical importance of establishing multi-disciplinary threat assessment teams, the factors to consider when conducting a threat assessment on a student receiving special education services, and the systemic barriers that complicate information sharing, documentation, and follow-up planning and supports. Specific recommendations for improving the fidelity of implementation of best practice threat assessment protocols will be provided. [Note: This workshop is more of an overview whereas the workshops below cover information more in-depth.] Participants will: identify current best practices to improve their school’s threat assessment process understand how special education protocols and procedures are separate, yet can be complimentary to, threat assessment protocols and procedures identify the impact biases can have on the interpretation of warning signs learn how to increase effective communication to ensure the fidelity of the BTAM process and outcomes Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM): Best Practices for a Defensible Process 1.5 - 3 hours Can be combined with Special Education Considerations, see below This workshop will discuss how to make your school/district’s BTAM process more legally defensible. The most current research and recommendations will be discussed with an emphasis on the critical importance of establishing multi-disciplinary threat assessment teams and how to address the systemic barriers that complicate information sharing, documentation, and follow-up planning and supports. The importance of addressing bias, equity, and disproportionality within the BTAM process will also be explained. Knowledge gained in serving as an expert witness in court cases involving threat assessment, targeted violence and suicidal ideation will be highlighted. Specific recommendations for improving the fidelity of implementation of best practice threat assessment protocols will also be provided. Participants will: learn how to build a high-quality behavioral threat assessment and management program utilizing best practice strategies to build a legally defensible process understand how to conduct a threat assessment using strategies that increase equity while decreasing bias and disproportionality learn the clear distinction, yet complementary aspects, between threat assessment and suicide risk assessment be provided with best practice guidance regarding parent permission vs notification, information sharing, discipline, and change in programming and/or placement decisions be provided recommendations for improving the fidelity of implementation of the BTAM process Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM): Special Education Considerations 1 – 1.5 hours Can be combined with Best Practices for a Defensible Process, see below This workshop will discuss the special consideration necessary to ensure your threat assessment processes do not violate special education protocols and procedures. How IDEA, 504, and ADA Title II “Direct Threat Standard” intersect with threat assessment and the considerations needed to ensure districts are complying with federal law will be presented. Best practice guidance regarding parent permission vs notification, information sharing, discipline, and change in programming and/or placement decisions will be discussed. In addition, knowledge gained in serving as an expert witness in court cases involving threat assessment, targeted violence and suicidal ideation will be highlighted. Workshop participants will: discuss special considerations to be considered when conducting threat assessments with students with disabilities or suspected of having a disability understand the clear distinction, yet complementary aspects, between threat assessment and special education policies and procedures learn how IDEA, 504 and ADA Title II “Direct Threat Standard” intersect with threat assessment and the considerations needed to ensure districts are complying with federal law be provided with best practice guidance regarding parent permission vs notification, information sharing, and discipline identify the critical actions that need to be taken in the threat assessment process if a change of placement or programming is to be recommended identify data points to be collected to identify and mitigate disproportionality School-Based Crisis Prevention and Intervention 1.5 – 4 hours This advanced-level workshop will assist you in enhancing the crisis procedures already in place in your school district. Specifically, learn cutting edge tips on conducting crisis exercises and drills in the school setting. In addition, strategies for using social media, dealing with the press, and planning memorials will be offered. The legal ramifications of crisis response and how to meet the needs of your school community the recovery process will be highlighted. Lessons learned from previous school crisis, to include natural disasters and school shootings, will be discussed. Advanced Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM): Case Management & Reintegration 3 - 3.5 hours This advanced workshop will increase participants skill sets regarding identifying protective factors and risk factors to enhance safety and management planning as part of the threat assessment process. An MTSS framework will be presented and then participants will work an advanced case study utilizing the 6 social development domains: individual, family, peer, school, community, and digital. A management planning toolkit will be provided to help guide teams in developing the safety plan and facilitating reintegration. Strategies for supporting staff will also be shared. It is highly recommended that participants have received prior training in behavioral threat assessment and management. Participants will: review the foundations of BTAM learn strengths-based supports, intervention, and management strategies to effectively manage challenging behaviors while also supporting staff learn strategies to support reintegration apply skills learned utilizing case studies Suicide Prevention through Postvention: Developing a Proactive and Consistent Approach to Evaluating Risk 6 – 6.5 hours This workshop will discuss the essential processes and procedures needed to establish quality programs that address suicide prevention through postvention. Critical factors discussed include current statistics and legal cases, early identification of warning signs, primary prevention strategies, how to screen for suicide risk and conduct a more in-depth school suicide safety assessment suicide risk assessment, and strategies for intervention and postvention activities. Case study examples and forms will be shared with the school mental health professional taking a leadership role. Participants will learn: how to establish a consistent school- or district-wide approach to suicide risk assessment the critical risk factors and warning signs contributing to risk best practice guidelines as established by prior legal cases and lessons learned reports primary prevention strategies to break the code of silence how to conduct screenings and school-based suicide safety assessments strategies for interventions and postvention strategies for working with difficult parents from case study examples and shared forms that illustrate the suicide risk assessment process Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention 2 - 3 hours This workshop will discuss the similarities and differences between suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors. Critical factors discussed include etiology, early identification of risk factors and warning signs, and primary prevention strategies to break the code of silence. School-based intervention strategies will include cognitive, affective, behavioral, biological, environmental, and psychological interventions and postvention activities that address contagion and “rites of togetherness.” Participants will also better understand how to talk to teachers and parents about suicide and NSSI. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention 1.5 - 2 hours This workshop will discuss critical factors related to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Practical universal suggestions will be provided for addressing contagion and “rites of togetherness.” Participants will also better understand individual interventions for students engaging in episodic and repetitive NSSI; assessment instruments for assessing the functions and severity of NSSI; etiology of NSSI and developing intervention plans to include practical cognitive, affective, behavioral, biological, environmental, and psychological interventions. Strategies for talking to teachers and parents about NSSI will also be highlighted. BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 “Dr. Melissa Reeves is an outstanding presenter, facilitator and instructor. I have been in a national conference and two local trainings in the past year where Dr. Reeves has provided content. Her confidence and enthusiasm are evident in her sharing of materials, ideas and practical use theory. At a recent national conference for the National Association of Pupil Service Administrators, Dr. Reeves was the highest rated presenter from the four-day conference with an approval rating of 4.80 out of 5. The feedback responses she received was complementary of both her presentation skills and the informative content she provided. Plans are being made to invite Dr. Reeves to present again at a future conference.” - V. Keith Wilks, M.Ed., Executive Director of Student Service, Rock Hill School District “Dr. Reeves' PREPaRE training was absolutely fantastic. Her trainings have increased our crisis team's professional capacity exponentially. Her wit, humor, and just ebullient personality fused within the scope of presenting the PREPaRe content yielded an overall great training and experience.” - Sean P. Ricks, LSSP, Sr. Manager - Crisis and Behavioral Intervention, Houston Independent School District Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, licensed professional counselor, and former district coordinator of social/emotional/behavioral services. She is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (2016-17) and has over 20 years’ experience working in public schools and a private school, in addition to providing mental health services in day and residential treatment settings. She was an Associate Professor at Winthrop University and taught both undergraduate and graduate psychology courses, in addition to supervising graduate school psychology students in their field-based traineeship and internship placements. She also served on the university’s Critical Incident Management Team and the College of Arts and Science COVID-19 Recovery committee. Currently, Dr. Reeves is a threat assessment & mental health specialist and senior advisor and speaker for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by two parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy. She is also a consultant and trainer for SIGMA Threat Management Associates (a Raptor affiliate), Safer Schools Together (SST), and Public Consulting Group (PCG). Dr. Reeves actively works and consults with K-12 schools regarding threat assessment cases and is engaged in helping state departments of education and school districts establish threat and suicide risk assessment procedures and emergency response protocols. Dr. Reeves is the lead author of the South Carolina Department of Education School-Based Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Best Practice Guidelines for South Carolina K-12 Schools and has also recently served as an expert witness in court cases involving targeted school attacks and threat and suicide risk assessments, particularly involving students receiving special education services. Dr. Reeves was recently appointed by the Department of Homeland Security as an inaugural member of the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board, which will advise on school safety practices to better support K-12 communities. In addition, Dr. Reeves is co-author of the nationally and internationally recognized National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) PREPaRE School Safety and Crisis Preparedness curriculum, the first comprehensive K-12 school crisis prevention and intervention curriculum. She is also a current member and former Chair of the NASP National School Safety and Crisis Response Committee which provides consultation and support to school districts across the country after large scale crisis events including school shootings and natural disasters. She was a founding member of the Colorado Society of School Psychologists State-Wide Crisis Response Team, which trained school districts across Colorado in crisis response and was also a crisis responder to support students after Columbine. In addition to responding to various crises over the years, she travels both nationally and internationally training professionals in the areas of crisis prevention and intervention, threat and suicide assessment, the impact of trauma and PTSD on academic achievement, and cognitive behavior interventions in the school setting. She has conducted more than 350 workshops and presentations and consults with schools on establishing a positive and safe school climate that focuses on prevention programs and positive discipline measures to decrease behavioral incidences while increasing academic achievement. She has also provided consultation and staff development training to United States Department of Defense Educational Activity Schools located on military installations. Dr. Reeves has authored six books: School Crisis Prevention and Intervention: The PREPaRE Model (original and 2nd Edition); Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences; Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management for K-12 Schools; Identifying, Assessing, and Treating PTSD at School; and Comprehensive Planning for Safe Learning Environments: A School Professional’s Guide to Integrating Physical and Psychological Safety: Prevention through Recovery. She has contributed multiple articles to the Communiqué, the nationally disseminated publication for the National Association of School Psychologists and has co-authored numerous book chapters and journal articles. In addition, she has testified in front of the U.S. Senate Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Disaster and Recovery regarding "Children and Disasters: A Progress Report on Addressing Needs." As NASP President, Dr. Reeves appointed the NASP Social Justice Task Force, and two additional task forces to study distance education and virtual delivery of school psychology services. Dr. Reeves has been awarded the National Association of School Psychologists Presidential Award in 2006, 2012, and 2018 and the NASP Crisis Interest Group Award for Excellence in 2007 and 2011. She was a 2007 national finalist for the Joseph E. Zins "Purpose" Award for Early Career Practitioners in Social Emotional Learning; in 2006 awarded Golden Heart Award, presented by Cherry Creek School District Parent Special Education Advisory Council; and received the University of Denver, College of Education Leadership in Learning Alumni Award in 2006. She has received numerous other awards throughout her career in addition to serving elected terms on the NASP Board of Directors as a NASP Delegate, Regional Representative, and NASP President. She is also member of the American Psychological Association, Colorado Society of School Psychologists, and Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). Book Dr. Reeves TODAY! Testimonials

The Safe and Sound Institute® presents regional Summits, workshops and trainings with national level experts in school safety to actively engage and connect all stakeholders in the process of improving school safety. GET STARTED TODAY Training Topics Also Include: Bully Prevention and Intervention Social Skill Development Medical First Aid Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention School Safety & Security Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Building a Culture of Safety School Leadership Student Safety Training Emergency Operations Planning Family Support Planning (Reunification) Crisis Communications And more! Cyber Security, Policy & Prevention Event & Curriculum Development School-Based Threat Assessment Emergency Operations Planning Social Emotional Learning Trauma Informed Schools Assessing Digital & Social Media Threats Physical Safety Assessments Safety for Students with Special Needs Suicide Prevention & Postvention Protocols Active Assailant Education & Training Anonymous Tip Program Development Our team of experts is here to empower yours—offering expert training and strategic consulting across a broad range of subjects. Discover the areas where we provide the most impact, and let’s collaborate to bring your vision to life. Reach out today to get started. Projects We Frequently Consult On Community Engagement Emergency Operations Planning Layered Systems of Security Supporting Students' Basic & Immediate Needs Comprehensive School Safety Topics We Frequently Train On Our team of experts is here to empower your staff by providing expert training across a broad range of subjects. Discover the areas we offer training on and reach out today to get started. Anonymous Reporting Multi-tiered Systems of Support for Safety & Success Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Postvention School Law & Policy Crisis Response & Recovery School-Based Threat Assessment Stop the Bleed Custom In-Person & Virtual Professional Development & Training The Safe and Sound Institute® presents regional Summits, workshops and trainings with national level experts in school safety to actively engage and connect all stakeholders in the process of improving school safety. Connecting stakeholders, building common language, and setting the foundation for collaborative work, our Summits, workshops, and trainings bring together regional stakeholders for greater impact and the long-lasting relationships required to ensure school safety. States, regions, counties, and districts can maximize their resources by bringing together the multiple agencies, professions, and perspectives required for a truly collaborative and meaningful approach to school safety, increasing efficiency and productivity to rethink school safety. Safe and Sound Schools® tailors each Summit, workshop, and training session to the unique needs of local stakeholders and communities in the form of stand-alone events, or as part of a regional or state tour to reach more stakeholders in a shorter time frame. This concentrated focus builds collaboration, increases resource sharing and builds networks for continued school safety improvement. Participants interact, learn and share best practices, and become resources to each other as they assess, act and audit their school safety efforts, together. LEARN MORE Meet Our Team of Experts This national network includes Safe and Sound team members as well as leading experts representing every facet of comprehensive school safety and student well-being. Together, we deliver customized training tailored to your team’s priorities, schedule, and goals. Meet a few of the experts ready to support your community: Michele Gay Founder & Executive Director, Safe and Sound Schools Ben Fernandez Director of Programs & Curriculum Development Kate Shaw Associate Director of Projects & Training, Safe and Sound Schools Susan Payne Founder & Executive Director, Safe2Tell Dr. CJ Huff Educator and Child Advocate Antionette King Physical & Cyber Security Expert Dr. Melissa Reeves Former President, National Association of School Psychologists Dave Okada President, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) Paul Timm PSP, Physical Security Expert AnneMoss Rogers Mental Health and Suicide Education Expert Dr. Scot Poland Professor, Licensed Psychologist, Expert on School Violence Theresa Campbell Founder, President & CEO of Safer Schools Together Dr. Greg Gerber Assistant Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, Vancouver CONTACT US NOW Book a Custom Consult TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT TODAY! 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! Safe and Sound INSTITUTE CONTACT US

Safe and Sound Schools is a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, aiming to protect every school and every student, every day. Founded by parents who lost children at Sandy Hook, we provide research-based tools and resources to help school communities improve safety and security. OUR MISSION SPEAKERS TRAINING EVENTS NATIONAL & REGIONAL Events Explore our events featuring top school safety experts on today's most critical topics. VIEW ALL EVENTS SCHOOL SAFETY Trainings PROGRAMS & TRAINING Explore our school safety programs, download free resources, or contact us for training opportunities. DYNAMIC Speakers Our school safety advocates and experts deliver practical knowledge and engaging content to educate your community. From keynotes to workshops, our speakers adapt to your event's unique needs. OUR SPEAKERS GROWING OUR Mission Our mission is to support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, and to protect every school and every student, every day. SEE OUR STORY PROGRAMS & Training BRIGHT FUTURES PATHWAYS FOR PREVENTION ESPECIALLY SAFE AVERTED SCHOOL VIOLENCE PROJECT SAFE AND SOUND INSTITUTE STAYING SAFE 31,260 Viewed from all 50 States and 163 Countries TOOLKITS 16,600,000 Impacted by Safe and Sound Schools® Worldwide STUDENTS 32,000 Reached through Education, Trainings, and Resources SCHOOLS MAKING AN Impact Michele’s outstanding keynote address was well received by the 800+ School Resource Officers in attendance and it truly set the stage for a powerful close to our National School Safety Conference. – Mo Canady, Executive Director, National Association of School Resource Officers Michele’s presentations to parents, educators, and policy makers provide the perfect balance of emotion and practical guidance. She promotes an approach to school safety that strikes the important balance between physical and psychological safety. Her efforts have helped to ensure schools have comprehensive safety and crisis plans, with special attention being given to reunification and recovery. – Stephen E. Brock, Ph.D., NCSP, LEP, Past President, National Association of School Psychologists Frank was amazing. I received about 50 texts and emails, all thankful and appreciative. – Jason Stoddard, Director of School Safety and Security, Charles County Public Schools, LaPlata, MD Molly and Frank both did an amazing job. I walked the conference area after each presenter and the word of mouth was incredible. I would also like to add they were both just as amazing with our staff. Mountain State couldn't have asked for two better keynote speakers. We hope our paths cross in the future again! -Troy Alexander, Communications Specialist, Mountain State Educational Service Cooperative "Molly was fantastic! Not sure how else to describe it. I have been told many times that this was the best DARE conference that Iowa has had and some even said it was better than a lot of other law enforcement conferences they have attended. Molly was a big part of what made this conference a huge success and can’t say enough great things about her." -Jason Hoerner, Iowa DARE Association Yes, I just heard Michele Gay speak. A truly inspirational and amazing women giving her accounts of her day of the Sandy Hook shooting. An amazing women willing to share her life changing experience so we can make schools safer. SAFE AND SOUND Speakers Safe and Sound Schools'® panel of school safety experts combine deep practical knowledge with engaging delivery to inspire and educate your school community. OUR SPEAKERS Michele Gay Founder & Executive Director Mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, Michele Gay chose to take action after losing her daughter Josephine Grace...READ MORE Go Frank DeAngelis Former Principal, Columbine HS Go Frank DeAngelis, retired principal of Columbine High School, served as an educator for the Jeffco School District in Littleton Colorado...READ MORE Molly Hudgens School Counselor Go On September 28, 2016, Molly Hudgens, a school counselor in Pleasant View, Tennessee, averted a school shooting when...READ MORE CHECK OUT OUR Events “This was the best training I have ever been to. Thank you for doing what you do!” – Patrick L., Attendee & School Resource Officer SEE ALL EVENTS THE SOUND OFF Podcast LISTEN NOW PREVENTION RESPONSE RECOVERY Prevention of school violence is the ultimate goal of Safe and Sound. To view our database of Averted School Violence, click here . In the event that a response is required, Safe and Sound provides a list of valuable resources to help you take action quickly here . The road to recovery is an emotional journey. Safe and Sound is here to support! Learn about upcoming events that prepare you for this here . Supporting Featured Episodes VIEW ALL RESOURCES READ OUR Blog Safe and Sound Leads the Way on Important Topics 1 2 3 4 5 SEE ALL BLOGS Especially Safe: Planning & Preparation Guide Especially Safe: Teaching & Training Guide BTAM & ASD: An e-Guide for Assessing Students on the Autism Spectrum A Parent’s Guide to Fostering Safer Online Practices on Snapchat & Beyond Healthy Digital Environments Straight A Safety Toolkit Safe & Sound Students Parents for Safer Schools Best Practices Armed Assailant Drills SAFE AND SOUND Partners Safe and Sound’s Trusted Partner Network VIEW OUR PARTNERS DOWNLOAD OUR Resources facebook twitter (x) instagram linkedin youtube FOLLOW US ON Social Media Practical School Safety Solutions to Support Individuals with Special Needs Neurodiversity advocate, Jeff Snyder, and Nick Savarise from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation, join this special episode dedicated to supporting students with autism and other special needs. LISTEN NOW Blueprints of Safety and SROs In this episode, Mo Canady, Executive Director of NASRO, discusses the pivotal role of School Resource Officers in ensuring safe learning environments. LISTEN NOW Making School Emergency Trauma Response Accessible Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soltz break down emergency trauma response in schools, offering practical insights on accessible trauma care. LISTEN NOW Testimonials 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.

Now one of Safe and Sound’s signature programs, Bright Futures brings together faith-based organizations, human services agencies, and businesses in partnership with families and schools for a shared purpose: to quickly meet basic needs and create new opportunities for children and youth so they can succeed in school and beyond. Bright FUTURES GET TRAINING WHAT IS BRIGHT FUTURES? The Bright Futures Program at Safe and Sound Schools brings together faith-based organizations, human services agencies, and businesses in partnership with families and schools for a shared purpose: to quickly meet basic needs and create new opportunities for children and youth so they can succeed in school and beyond. What started as a locally led initiative in Joplin, MO, has now become a national effort in communities across the nation. The Bright Futures program now serves more than 70 communities in 8 states, supporting the health, wellness, and safety of over 250,000 students nationwide. The Bright Futures Community Resiliency Framework takes a whole community approach to raising our next generation of citizens and is grounded in three foundational principles to support the growth of our kids and strengthen the resolve of our communities: Create communication and resource structures to meet any child’s basic needs within 24 hours. Strengthening community resiliency by building the local leadership and resource capacity to improve problem solving capabilities to address the greater challenges faced by today’s youth. Providing opportunities for children and youth to serve the community through curriculum-based, hands-on service experiences to grow generations of service-minded citizens. WHO CREATES BRIGHT FUTURES? Now one of Safe and Sound’s signature programs, Bright Futures brings together faith-based organizations, human services agencies, and businesses in partnership with families and schools for a shared purpose: to quickly meet basic needs and create new opportunities for children and youth so they can succeed in school and beyond. What started as a locally led initiative in Joplin, MO, has now become a national effort that serves more than 70 communities in 8 states, supporting the health, wellness, and safety of over 250,000 students nationwide. EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CHAMPION Now one of Safe and Sound’s signature programs, Bright Futures brings together faith-based organizations, human services agencies, and businesses in partnership with families and schools for a shared purpose: to quickly meet basic needs and create new opportunities for children and youth so they can succeed in school and beyond. What started as a locally led initiative in Joplin, MO, has now become a national effort that serves more than 70 communities in 8 states, supporting the health, wellness, and safety of over 250,000 students nationwide. Inspiring community partnerships that open a way for all children to learn to lead and serve to their full potential. HOW IT WORKS The Bright Futures Community Resiliency Framework© takes a whole-community approach to raising the next generation of citizens and is grounded in three foundational principles that support the growth of our kids and strengthen the resolve of our communities: Create communication and resource structures to meet any child’s basic needs within 24 hours. Strengthen community resiliency by building the local leadership and resource capacity to improve problem solving capabilities to address the greater challenges faced by today’s youth. Provide opportunities for children and youth to serve the community through curriculum-based, hands-on service experiences to grow generations of service-minded citizens. Bright Futures Website MEET THE FOUNDERS Dr. C.J. Huff Co-Founder Bright Futures USA Kim Vann Co-Founder Bright Futures USA Start a Bright Futures Community IN YOUR AREA! Want to help meet the basic needs of children and families in your community? Complete the form below to learn more, and a member of our team will be in touch soon!

Safe and Sound Schools is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving school safety through research-based programs, crisis preparedness, and community engagement. Explore expert resources, training, and advocacy to create safer learning environments. 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. GET INVOLVED Simple ways to get started SEE SOMETHING Speak up for school safety LEARN MORE TEAM UP Recruit others to join you LEARN MORE GET PREPARED Learn how to lead the conversation LEARN MORE LEARN Feel more prepared and confident. RESOURCE LIBRARY Check out school safety topics LEARN MORE NEWS HEADLINES Make sense of headlines and news LEARN MORE MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD START A SAFE AND SOUND STUDENT CLUB Become a school safety leader GET STARTED Safe & Sound STUDENTS

This event has concluded – Join us for three days of inspiring keynotes, expert panels, and deep-dive breakout sessions led by another incredible line-up of national school safety leaders and practitioners... NATIONAL SUMMIT ON SCHOOL SAFETY See What You Missed This event has concluded START DATE: LOCATION: END DATE: BACK NATIONAL SUMMIT ON SCHOOL SAFETY This event has concluded – Join us for three days of inspiring keynotes, expert panels, and deep-dive breakout sessions led by another incredible line-up of national school safety leaders and practitioners... See What You Missed

Thank you for your interest in supporting Safe and Sound Schools®! There are so many ways to give back. Fundraisers are a fun way to increase community awareness and participation in school safety. All money received by Safe and Sound Schools® from third-party fundraisers goes directly toward the creation of free school safety tools and resources for schools. Host a FUNDRAISER Thank you for standing with us in our mission to protect every student, every school, every day ! Fundraisers help increase community awareness and cultivate community-wide participation in school safety. All money received by Safe and Sound Schools from third-party fundraisers goes directly toward the creation of free school safety tools and resources for schools. Bake sales Pancake breakfasts Donut Days Hat Days—Purchase a ticket to wear your favorite or crazy hat in school for a day! Fun runs Coin drives/Dollar drives Homework Pass raffles Raffle for Lunch with the Principal (favorite teacher or coach) at a local restaurant 5K’s Craft fairs Carnivals Paper Crane Drive Restaurant nights Silent Auctions To help make your fundraising efforts simple and impactful, we’ve put together a list of easy, fun ideas to get you started. Explore the suggestions below and then contact us to take the first step toward making a difference. Host a Fundraiser CONTACT US Used Book Sale Raffles Bingo nights—Maybe at the fire station? Invite the first responders! Car Washes Lollipop sales Novelty Pencils—Add a Safe School message! Snack Stands Raffle for a Ride-Along with the School Safety Officer or on the Fire Engine “Take a Step” for Safe and Sound Schools—purchase a footprint card for posting around the building or office—add a safety message! “Leading the Way” A Hike for Safer Schools to benefit Safe and Sound Giving Tuesday Each year during the season of giving—including Giving Tuesday—supporters across the country join us in advancing our mission of creating safe and sound schools. Share the donation link below or connect with us to explore more ways to give back, get involved, or bring safety programs to your community. Together, we can make a lasting impact where it matters most. GET INVOLVED DONATE NOW Facebook Fundraiser You can help create safer schools by starting your own Facebook Fundraiser in support of Safe and Sound Schools. It’s a simple but powerful way to raise awareness, rally your community, and make a meaningful impact—one share at a time. Click the link below to get started and turn your passion into action. GET STARTED

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 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!