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  • Safe and Sound Students | Safe and Sound Schools | United States

    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

  • JONATHAN CRISTALL | Safe and Sound

    Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU Jonathan Cristall is a leading expert in youth safety, digital citizenship, and violence prevention. As a prosecutor and author of What They Don’t Teach Teens , Cristall is dedicated to equipping young people with the tools they need to navigate today’s challenges, offering practical insights on critical topics such as online safety, sexual consent, and building healthy relationships. His engaging presentations provide students, parents, educators, as well as law enforcement, with actionable strategies to address issues like social media use, peer pressure, and personal boundaries. WHY Book Jonathan FOR YOUR EVENT? “Jonathan's well-honed presentation was truly an enriching experience. His delivery was engaging, savvy and well-informed. His material expanded our awareness about online safety. It brought our Parent Teacher Student Association to a new level.” —Amy Mueller, PTSA Coordinator, Palisades High School WHO Books Jonathan ? Cristall’s expertise makes him a valuable speaker for schools and organizations looking to empower teens to make informed, responsible decisions while promoting safer, more supportive communities. These organizations include: Michigan State Police Common Sense Media Nebraska Community Aid and Juvenile Justice Conference Arkansas Department of Education LA Unified School District Palisades High School Parent Teacher Student Association Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences National League of Young Men Jack and Jill of America Village School Alumni Parent Group Beverly Hills High School BOOK TODAY JONATHAN CRISTALL Prosecutor Certified Sexual Violence Prevention Instructor, Digital Safety Advocate, Author BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Jonathan TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Health & Wellness Culture, Climate & Community Leadership, Law & Policy Grooming & Exploitation Sexual Abuse Prevention Digital Safety & Online Threats Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention Suicide & Mental Health Support 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. What They Don’t Teach Teens 60-minute Workshop This workshop provides an overview of the three parts of What They Don't Teach Teens: Street Safety and Safer Police Interactions Sexual Violence and Misconduct Digital Pitfalls & Best Practices An excellent choice for parents and educators, it is highly recommended that participants are provided with a copy of the book in advance or at the time of the workshop. Workshop includes discussion of prospective lesson plans for educators regarding the above topics. Healthy Intimate Relationships & Connections 60-minute Workshop Topics covered in this workshop include: Sexual consent (what it is, what it is not, how to ask for it, circumstances in which consent cannot be obtained) Dating violence (what it is, how to identify it, how to safely seek help for yourself or a loved one) Sextortion, AKA online sexual blackmail (what it is and how to best protect yourself) Sexual harassment in a school environment (what it is, how to identify it, how to combat it, how to safely seek help) The importance of finding a trusted person when support is needed Digital Pitfalls & Best Practices 60-minute Workshop Topics covered in this workshop include: Potential pitfalls of smartphone cameras (focus on laws/consequences of underage sexting, sextortion, and revenge porn) How to protect one's digital footprint (focusing on what employers and college administrators want to see/not see in a candidate's footprint) Digital citizenship Cyberbullying Protecting one's digital privacy The importance of finding a trusted person when support is needed Safer Police Interactions 60-minute Workshop Topics covered in this workshop include: Your rights under the 4th Amendment (police searches) and how to exercise them most safely Your rights under the 5th Amendment (police questioning) and how to exercise them most safely What to do and what not to do when stopped by police while in a vehicle or on foot Racial injustice in policing and how it may impact invocation of your rights How to differentiate between detentions, consensual encounters, and arrests The game changer if you break the law: you've turned 18 Safer Get-Togethers 60-minute Workshop Topics covered in this workshop include: Sexual consent and the consumption of alcohol (or other drugs) Situational awareness at parties Bystander intervention techniques and 911 immunity (Good Samaritan) laws Social host liability laws (when adults can be held liable for underage drinking that occurs in their homes) Potential consequences of using a fake ID Your rights when police show up at the party and want to search or question you Streat Safety: Where Your Life Travels Take You BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 We bring Jonathan to Beverly High to help our students (and their parents) develop 21st century life skills. Each time Jonathan presents, the response was phenomenal. Our students are engaged and the parents are thrilled. — Ali Norman-Franks, Beverly Hills High Intervention Counselor Jonathan’s presentations for our congregation are very enlightening. Parents are grateful for the opening to talk with their teens about crucial subjects. Teens appreciate Jonathan’s relatability and directness. We can’t wait to bring him back! — Rabbi Zoe Klein, Temple Isaiah Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Jonathan Cristall, Esq., is a veteran prosecutor for the City of Los Angeles. He is the author of the multiple award-winning book, What They Don't Teach Teens. Cristall's book—written for both teen and adult readers—and his related speaking events teach young people (and the adults who care for them) physical, digital, emotional, and legal life safety skills to better navigate the pitfalls of modern adolescence. Being a teenager has never been easy. And, in fact, it was downright difficult for Cristall as he spent his own teen years in Los Angeles, taking unnecessary risks and getting into avoidable trouble. Decades later, long after turning his life around, he recognized that his teenage children and their peers were facing new risks, expectations, and laws that simply didn't exist for previous generations of teenagers—things like understanding the ways a damaged digital footprint can alter your life; the statements or actions that may amount to sexual harassment; the potentially severe consequences of underage sexting; the point a sexual interaction "goes too far"; the safest way to handle oneself when stopped by the police; navigating the complexities of cyberbullying; and so much more. Cristall began searching for a book that would help his children better understand the "how-tos" and "how-not-tos" of coming of age today. Finding nothing, Cristall utilized his experience as a prosecutor, sexual violence prevention instructor, and a troubled teen to write the book he was seeking: What They Don't Teach Teens. His regular speaking presentations about the topics in the book provide practical guidance, thoughtful insight, and simple-to-use tips and tactics that empower tweens, teens, and young adults to make good choices now and into the future. In addition to many awards and formal recognitions for his public safety work as a prosecutor, Cristall is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal from the Los Angeles Police Commission—the highest honor bestowed on non-sworn law enforcement personnel. Other organizations from which Cristall has received distinctions include the Police Officers Association of LA County and the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. What They Don't Teach Teens is similarly laureled as a recipient of the Gold Winner award from both the IPBA Ben Franklin Awards for Best Parenting & Family Book and the NIEA Awards for Best Parenting & Family Book of 2020. Additionally, What They Don't Teach Teens won a Silver medal from Forward INDIES Awards in the Family & Relationships category. Cristall works and lives with his family in Los Angeles. Book Jonathan TODAY! Testimonials

  • BEN FERNANDEZ | Safe and Sound

    Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU Benjamin Fernandez, MS. Ed, is a trusted voice in school mental and behavioral health, crisis response, and student well-being. With an extensive, highly decorated and decades-long career in school psychology in large school districts, he brings a deep understanding of how to support students and staff before, during, and after emergencies. At Safe and Sound Schools, he helps lead national conversations on integrating mental and behavioral health into school safety frameworks. Ben’s presentations are grounded in real-world experience and provide actionable strategies for building trauma-informed, psychologically safe school environments. His ability to connect with educators, administrators, and mental health professionals makes him a powerful advocate and speaker for any school or organization committed to comprehensive school safety. WHY Book Ben FOR YOUR EVENT? “Benjamin Fernandez has been an asset to the Virginia Department of Education. He has presented for the past several years at two of our annual conferences for 300+ school personal, which are attended by school psychologists, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, and school administrators. He tailors his presentations to meet the needs of the audience, and his sessions are always well attended and well received. Participants come away with practical strategies that they can immediately implement when they return to their schools and/or policies that they can advocate for in their school divisions. Ben is engaging in his presentations, has a wealth of knowledge to share, and is pleasant to work with. He has been a partner with the VDOE to promote comprehensive suicide prevention. He is a member of the Governor’s Children’s Safety Cabinet and was a contributor to our recently adopted Suicide Prevention Guidelines for Virginia Public Schools. I would wholeheartedly recommend Ben Fernandez as a presenter.” -Martha Montgomery, Ed.S., School Psychology Specialist, Virginia Department of Education WHO Books Ben ? Benjamin Fernandez’s expertise in school mental health and crisis response makes him a highly sought-after speaker for schools and organizations across the US and Canada. He is especially recognized for his work in helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from traumatic events with a focus on psychological safety and resilience. Recent audiences include: National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Virginia Department of Education Northwestern Georgia School Psychologists Consortium Deaf School Safety Task Force Gangs, Guns and School Violence Prevention Summit (Vancouver, BC) Midwest School Safety Summit Texas Education Service Centers Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Benjamin - book him today! BOOK TODAY BEN FERNANDEZ Lead School Psychologist Northern Virginia School System BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Ben TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! Perspectives on School Crisis Response: Reflections from the Field , co-authored by Ben Fernandez, is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon . SPEAKER Topics Include Mental & Behavioral Health Health & Wellness Culture, Climate, & Community Crisis Leadership 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 Staying Safe Best Practices for Drills Emergency Preparedness & Response Trauma-Informed Practices Childhood Trauma & Adverse Experiences Inclusive School Safety Practices 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. PREPaRE Workshop 1, Third Edition, Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Prevention Through Recovery In this 1-day workshop participants will learn how to establish and sustain comprehensive school safety efforts that attend to both physical and psychological safety. The workshop addresses critical components needed to develop, exercise, and evaluate safety and crisis teams and plans and conduct building vulnerability assessments. The model also integrates school personnel and community provider roles in providing school-based crisis preparedness and response activities. Additional topics addressed also include media/social media, communication, reunification, students with special needs, culture, and memorials. After this workshop, participants will be better prepared to improve their school’s climate, student resilience, and crisis response capabilities of school personnel. With updated research and strategies, this workshop makes a clear connection between ongoing crisis prevention, mitigation, protection, response, and recovery. PREPaRE Workshop 1, Training of Trainers, Third Edition, Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Prevention Through Recovery This 1.5-day workshop provides participants with the information and practice needed to become a trainer of PREPaRE Workshop 1: Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Prevention Through Recovery. Included in this workshop a one-hour online module addressing logistics of workshop delivery and a 10-hour in-person workshop (1.5 days) addressing how to present the workshop content (with a special emphasis on a standardized delivery). This ToT workshop includes a mandatory pre-test (requiring a 100% pass score), preworkshop activities, interactive online access during the workshop, and a post-test (requiring a 100% pass score). From this session, participants will be provided with the information and practice needed to independently offer the core workshop. All participants receive workshop presentation materials and a certificate of completion. PREPaRE Workshop 2, Third Edition, Mental Health Crisis Interventions: Responding to an Acute Traumatic Stressor in Schools This 2-day workshop develops the knowledge and skill required to provide immediate mental health crisis interventions to the students, staff, and school community members who have been simultaneously exposed to an acute traumatic stressor. The knowledge and skill developed within this session also help to build a bridge to the psychotherapeutic and trauma-informed mental health response sometimes required to address challenges associated with trauma exposure. This workshop is an excellent course for all mental health professionals in your district who provide mental health crisis intervention services. PREPaRE Workshop 2, Training of Trainers, Third Edition, Mental Health Crisis Interventions: Responding to an Acute Traumatic Stressor in Schools This 2-day workshop provides participants with the information and practice needed to become a trainer of PREPaRE Workshop 2: Mental Health Crisis Interventions: Responding to an Acute Traumatic Stressor in Schools. Included in this workshop is a one-hour online module addressing the logistics of workshop delivery and a 13-hour in-person workshop (2 days) addressing how to present the workshop content (with a special emphasis on a standardized delivery). This ToT workshop includes a mandatory pre-test (requiring a 100% pass score), preworkshop activities, interactive online access during the workshop, and a post-test (requiring a 100% pass score). From this session, participants will be provided with the information and practice needed to independently offer the core workshop. All participants receive workshop presentation materials and a certificate of completion. Pathways for Violence Prevention This session equips educators and school staff with actionable strategies to prevent school violence. Participants will explore a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, learning to implement universal, targeted, and intensive interventions. Through practical application, attendees will: Establish a culture of care within their school community. Learn effective methods for assessing and managing active threats. Gain insights into modules covering crucial topics such as suicide prevention, grief support, emotional awareness, positive behavior supports, threat assessment, bullying intervention, and trauma-informed practices. This program provides a comprehensive approach to fostering student growth, wellness, and safety, ultimately creating a more secure and supportive school environment. Suicide Prevention and Intervention Postvention Responding to Suicide This workshop provides evidence an informed approach for responding to and managing a suicide death within a school community. Participants will gain an understanding of key terms, statistics, and the unique factors surrounding suicide, including contagion, bereavement, stigma, and developmental and cultural differences. The session will then delve into practical strategies for school-based suicide postvention encompassing: Triage, crisis team readiness and experience, effective communication with staff, students, community, and families, and implementing appropriate interventions using the PREPaRE model. Ongoing triage, monitoring students of concern, and supporting school-based teams in the weeks following the incident. Addressing long-term considerations, including anniversaries and other potentially triggering events. Developing self-care plans for individuals, teams, and school staff to mitigate the impact of trauma. This workshop will equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively support their school community through the challenging process of suicide postvention. Student Mental Health and School Safety This presentation explores the link between student mental health and school safety. The discussion begins with examining the national landscape of child and adolescent mental health, highlighting pre-pandemic trends and the evolving challenges post-pandemic. Then we discuss common mental health challenges seen in schools, including youth suicide, substance use, and the impact of trauma/ACEs, and analyze how untreated mental health issues affect academic performance, social interactions, and long-term student success. The presentation emphasizes the World Health Organization's definition of mental health and its alignment with educational goals, positioning schools as vital access points for youth mental health support. Next, we explore the essential components of a safe and supportive school environment, including integrated learning and student supports (MTSS), access to mental health services, balanced physical and psychological safety, and positive discipline practices. Finally, we'll delve into practical strategies for promoting mental wellness within schools. This includes identifying key teams, establishing clear goals, utilizing relevant data sources, and implementing MTSS frameworks across Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions. Through reflection and discussion, participants will gain insights into their school's specific needs and develop actionable steps to foster a mentally healthy and safe learning environment. Crisis Leadership: Integration of the What and the How Effective school crisis leadership requires both a clear understanding of crisis response frameworks and the ability to lead with confidence in complex, high-stakes situations. This session explores the integration of the PREPaRE model with National Preparedness Leadership Initiative’s Metaleadership concept, providing school crisis leaders with a structured approach to what they need to do and how they can lead effectively during a crisis. Participants will examine key components of the PREPaRE model, focusing on evidence-based strategies for crisis prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. These will be aligned with Metaleadership’s principles, which emphasize leading down (within teams), up (to leadership), and across (to community partners) to build coordination, trust, and adaptive decision-making in crisis situations. A Practitioner's Approach to Evaluating Effectiveness of Crisis Response This presentation focuses on the critical yet often overlooked practice of examining the effectiveness of crisis response, emphasizing its role in data collection and analysis for performance improvement, efficiency, and better service to students and staff. Utilizing the PREPaRE model as a guide, participants will delve into the importance of After Action Reviews (AARs) as a powerful tool for organizational change. AARs, when conducted effectively, provide valuable learning opportunities by comparing expected outcomes with actual results, allowing for adjustments to organizational structures, practices and procedures. This presentation explores the key elements of an AAR, highlighting its purpose as a fact-finding exercise to assess response, intervention, and effectiveness. Despite the infrequent nature of crisis events, AARs are essential for maintaining and improving crisis team performance, informing training, and creating a repository of lessons learned for broader sharing through regular reports and staff communications. By embracing AARs as a constructive feedback mechanism, participants will be able to enhance their crisis response capabilities and continuously improve procedures and strategies. BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 "I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ben Fernandez since 2008. With more than 20 years of clinical experience as a school psychologist, Mr. Fernandez has particular interest and expertise in the areas of school crisis prevention and intervention as well as suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. His work has been instrumental to Loudoun County Public Schools—with individual students and families, school buildings and administrators, as well as systems wide—particularly through his leadership and coordination of division wide crisis response teams. Having a national perspective on these and other topics that are urgent to school psychologists and other educators, Mr. Fernandez has been called on to testify on Capitol Hill and train school systems in NASP’s PREPaRE curriculum. I highly recommend and endorse Mr. Fernandez for what he can offer you and your professional organizations." - Charles Barrett, Ph.D., Loudoun County Public Schools "Ben Fernandez delivered an outstanding presentation to school psychologists on crisis intervention, mental health, and school safety, drawing from his extensive professional experience in emergency response and student counseling. His engaging and knowledgeable approach kept the audience captivated as he shared real-world strategies for handling crises effectively. Mr. Fernandez also facilitated insightful small-group discussions, encouraging participation and practical problem-solving among attendees. His expertise and ability to communicate complex issues in a clear, actionable manner made his session both informative and impactful, leaving school psychologists better equipped to support students in challenging situations." - Amy Diprima, Ph.D. Floyd County Schools Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed, completed his graduate studies in School Psychology at Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA) and has worked as a school psychologist in Pennsylvania and Virginia with over 28 years of experience as a practitioner. Currently, he serves as the Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Programs for Safe and Sounds Schools. He previously held the position of crisis intervention specialist in Fairfax County Public Schools, providing leadership and the coordination of crisis intervention services, and response consultation after acute traumatic events. As a lead school psychologist and coordinator in Loudoun County Public Schools, he provided a broad array of psychological and school-based mental health services including assessment, suicide screenings, threat assessments of students and nonstudents, consultation, counseling, prevention, and intervention as well as serving as a crisis team leader. Further, he has conducted presentations on suicide prevention for families as well as helping to establish the collection and review of suicide screening data to enhance processes and identify areas of further prevention and intervention. Additionally, he is a Lead PREPaRE Trainer and has contributed to presentations, articles, books, and webinars related to youth suicide, PREPaRE, school mental health, school safety and crisis intervention on the local, state, and national levels. He has testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Federal Commission on School Safety, the Congressional School Safety Caucus, and served as a member of the Governor of Virginia’s Children’s Cabinet on Student Safety.  Mr. Fernandez contributed to the Virginia Department of Education’s Suicide Prevention Guidelines.  In 2010, he was named School Psychologist of the Year by the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and in 2012, he was named School Psychologist of the Year by the National Association of School Psychologists. In 2015 and 2018, Benjamin received the NASP Presidential Award and in 2021 received the National Association of School Psychologists Crisis Management and Grief Support in Schools Interest Group Award for Excellence for significant contributions to the field of school safety and crisis intervention. Book Ben TODAY! Testimonials

  • MICHELLE DENAULT | Safe and Sound

    Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU Michelle Denault is an advocate and educator who brings a survivor’s strength and a teacher’s heart to the critical conversation on child safety and sexual abuse prevention. As the founder of Voices Carry, she developed “Grooming 101 – A Predator’s Playbook,” a training that empowers both adults and students to recognize and respond to the subtle signs of grooming behavior. Michelle’s work is grounded in the belief that awareness is the first step toward protection—and that every member of a school community plays a role in keeping children safe. She challenges schools to move beyond awareness campaigns and toward a culture of vigilance, empathy, and shared responsibility. With a blend of personal experience and professional insight, Michelle equips audiences with the knowledge and confidence to act before harm can occur. WHY Book Michelle FOR YOUR EVENT? “Michelle Denault has a story to share that can empower students and equip leaders. Her presentations strike the right balance of personal details and more generalized information to illustrate the process and impact of grooming and sexual abuse. I highly recommend her program to those who want to keep students safe and empower them to speak out if harm has already occurred.” -Faith Colson, Survivor, Advocate, and Namesake of Faith’s Law WHO Books Michelle ? Michelle connects with audiences through personal storytelling, eye-opening insights, and a passionate call to action that empowers and inspires. Her presentations focus on topics such as child sexual abuse prevention, grooming awareness, creating safe school environments, and equipping both students and adults with the tools to recognize and interrupt predatory behavior. Recent audiences Michelle has spoken to include: National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Gangs, Guns, and School Violence Prevention Summit (Vancouver, BC) Michigan State Police Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education Hoogland Center for the Arts Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Michelle - book her today! BOOK TODAY MICHELLE DENAULT Survivor of Educator Sexual Abuse BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Michelle TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Mental & Behavioral Health Culture, Climate, & Community Leadership, Law, & Policy Grooming & Exploitation Sexual Abuse Prevention Identifying & Supporting At-Risk Students Trauma-Informed Practices Childhood Trauma & Adverse Experiences Recovery & Resilience After Tragedy Turning Pain into Purpose Lessons Learned from Tragedy 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. Grooming 101 1 Hour In this powerful presentation, Michelle sheds light on the insidious grooming process. Michelle shares her journey while dissecting each step of grooming. Through her dual lens as both a survivor and an administrator’s wife, she reveals how predators exploit a child’s natural desire for love, manipulating them into unwittingly consenting to their violation. Michelle also addresses the tendency to blame victims rather than hold perpetrators accountable. Her insights highlight the critical need for training and dispelling societal misconceptions so we can better protect our children. These failures have far-reaching consequences, affecting individuals, entire communities, and institutions. It Is Your Business 3-hour (½ day PD) with “Grooming 101” included The "It Is Your Business" program builds upon the foundational "Grooming 101 - A Predator's Playbook," offering a deeper exploration into the complexities of grooming and sexual abuse. This expanded session covers key risk factors, signs to watch for, and how societal misconceptions and generalizations often distort our understanding of these behaviors. The program also highlights the long-term impacts on victims, aiming to educate adults on the nuances of grooming and equip them with the knowledge needed for prevention and intervention. This initiative empowers participants to better protect the well-being of children and young adults by providing a comprehensive understanding of predatory behaviors and the grooming process. The session also includes a brief overview of mandated reporter laws and, for institutions in Illinois, details on Faith’s Law. Grooming 101 (Extended) 2 Hours This session includes all the aspects of the Basic 1 hour with the addition of an overview of societal misconceptions about sexual violence, supported by real-life cases and court documents. The extended 2-hour session goes further into exploring the long-term emotional and psychological impact on survivors and what it’s like to live with the effects of sexual violence for a lifetime. It Is Your Business (Extended) Full day (9:00 to 3:30 with 1-hour lunch and breaks built into each hour) This program is identical to the three hours with the exception that it includes extended training on Mandated Reporting, Faith’s Law, and Title IX regulations in K-12 schools Grooming 101 (Student) The student program does not include the same statistics as the adult program. The student program also speaks to students on their level and where they are in their age group. For example: “How many of you have heard your parents say: ‘Just wait till you grow up! You think you have it bad now.’” I try to show them that we, as adults in society, often forget how hard it is to be a kid. In that forgetfulness, we neglect to share with them or understand how vulnerable they are to “grooming” behaviors and abuse. Healthy Relationships and Internet Safety BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 “Michelle’s presentation was a highlight of our conference. Her energy, passion, and strength kept the audience on the edge of their seats, and when it was over they wanted more. Michelle speaks up for all the survivors, but especially those who cannot speak out themselves.” -Jeremy Flood, Board President, Illinois School Resource Officers Administration “I am still having staff approach me about how wonderful Michelle’s presentation was. I have never, in my 12 years of education, experienced such a moving presentation.” -Principal Kashia Cook, Christopher School Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Michelle Denault, owner and founder of “Voices Carry, LLC”, is a survivor of Educator Sexual Abuse and the creator of the training “Grooming 101 - A Predator’s Playbook”. In 2015, after decades of believing she had been in a “love relationship” with a trusted teacher, a moment in time shifted her perspective and opened her eyes to the truth that she hadn't been loved but instead preyed on and abused. Since that time, Michelle has been speaking her truth, advocating for change, and in a fight in the justice system to bring accountability to her abuser and his enablers. Michelle teaches “Grooming 101” in schools and at conferences to train adults on how to recognize the signs a child is being groomed and to teach students how to recognize they or their peers may be being groomed. Michelle is married to Mike Denault, Superintendent of the Waltonville School District, and has two boys, Jonny and Jacob Forbes, and two stepdaughters, Emersyn and Addysen. Book Michelle TODAY! Testimonials

  • DAVE OKADA | Safe and Sound

    WHY Book Dave FOR YOUR EVENT? WHO Books Dave ? BOOK TODAY DAVE OKADA President, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Dave 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 Dave TODAY! Testimonials

  • DR. SAVAHANNA WAGNER | Safe and Sound

    Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU Dr. Savahanna Wagner has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to emergency preparedness and school safety, combining her medical expertise with a commitment to improving trauma response in educational settings. As co-founder of Rescue in Color, she co-developed an intuitive, color-coded bleeding control system designed to empower anyone within a school environment to act swiftly and effectively during life-threatening emergencies. Dr. Wagner's work emphasizes the importance of proactive, hands-on training and equipping school communities with the tools and confidence to respond to critical incidents. Her approach fosters a culture of preparedness and shared responsibility, ensuring that safety measures are accessible and actionable for everyone. WHY Book Savahanna FOR YOUR EVENT? "Savahanna brings an entirely different perspective as the doctor, and having [Rescue in Color] train and talk to you, you truly have experts in the field. They have the whole gamut covered from first responder to law enforcement to medical staff. Their wealth of knowledge is absolutely amazing." —Missy Dodds, Survivor of the Red Lake High School Shooting WHO Books Savahanna ? Savahanna’s speaking style is energetic, approachable, and deeply rooted in real-world emergency response experience. She connects with audiences through clear, practical instruction, relatable scenarios, and a strong focus on empowering everyday people to take lifesaving action in moments of crisis. Her presentations cover topics such as trauma-informed emergency preparedness, bleeding control, school-based crisis response, and building a culture of confident, capable responders across the school community. Recent audiences Savahanna has spoken to include: Northeast School Safety Summit Gangs, Guns, and School Violence Prevention Summit (Vancouver, BC) Midwest School Safety Summit Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Dr. Wagner - book her today! BOOK TODAY DR. SAVAHANNA WAGNER Co-Founder Rescue in Color Emergency Medical Expert BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Savahanna TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Health & Wellness Operations & Emergency Management Safety & Security Physical Security & Risk Assessment School Shooters: Profiles & Prevention Emergency Preparedness & Response Stop the Bleed Trauma-Informed Practices Inclusive School Safety Practices 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. Beyond the Band-Aids: Implementing a Bleeding Control Program in K-12 Space Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz, founders of Rescue in Color, for a pragmatic discussion on implementing bleeding control education and equipment in school settings. While CPR and AED training have long been part of school emergency preparedness, districts now face new legislative demands and community expectations regarding traumatic injury response. This course equips school administrators, educators and law enforcement professionals with practical strategies for integrating such a curriculum into the K-12 setting, ensuring effective emergency preparedness in today's evolving landscape. This presentation is most appropriate as a keynote address or breakout session. Before Help Arrives: Response to Traumatic Injuries by Civilian Responders Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz for a didactic and psychomotor session on the treatment of patients with life-threatening injuries. Your hands-on experience will help you become familiar with essential bleeding control skills including how to properly assess a patient, stop external blood loss, address chest injuries, and more! This course is tailored to the audience and is an approachable and safe space for learning these potentially life-saving skills. This training is most appropriate as a breakout session or hands-on in person training by request. We can tailor this training to the needs of the organization making the request, but is often given as a 2 hour basic training for the end user (teachers, administrators, bus drivers, etc.), an advanced 2 hour course for responders with additional training (first responders, police officers, nurses), or full day train the trainer course for nurses or police officers looking to train their own organizations. We have also done a shortened version of this as a 1-hour breakout session. Class sizes are generally limited to 20 students per instructor. Larger groups require 2 instructors. BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 "I have found them to both be passionate, really exceptional individuals, who care deeply about ensuring our school systems are safe and that students have what they need in the classroom and teachers have what they need in a classroom if there really is an emergency situation." -Nathan Flansburg, Superintendent PACT Charter Schools "Dr. Wagner actually sat on the district crisis committee and we were implementing Rescue in Color into a number of our schools trying to be able to make sure that they were easily accessible for emergency situations should a tragic event ever happen." -Nathan Flansburg, Superintendent PACT Charter Schools Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Dr. Savahanna Wagner is an Internal Medicine physician, international speaker, and co-founder of Rescue in Color, a pioneering women-owned company focused on school safety through intuitive, color-coded bleeding control kits and innovative training programs. With nearly 20 years of experience in emergency medical services, disaster medicine, and healthcare preparedness, Dr. Wagner brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, public health insight, and heartfelt advocacy to her work. She began her career at age 18 as an EMT in rural Indiana and went on to serve in leadership roles in EMS training, trauma and injury prevention, and hospital emergency preparedness. She has coordinated crisis planning efforts among hospital systems, public health departments, and regional emergency management partners, and helped lead mass casualty and disaster response trainings across the Midwest. Dr. Wagner holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she also developed and implemented a disaster triage curriculum that remains part of the core medical education program. She also earned a Master of Public Health from University College Dublin, where she served as the university’s Ambassador to the Irish Forum on Global Health, and a Master of Science in Biology from Purdue University. Today, Dr. Wagner works as a hospital-based Internist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She leads overnight rapid response teams, trains medical students and residents, and serves on her hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Committee. Her research has been published in JACC, Transplantation Proceedings, and Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. She has presented nationally on disaster resilience, transplant equity, and innovations in care delivery. Inspired by her role as a mother, Dr. Wagner co-founded Rescue in Color to bring evidence-based, approachable emergency response tools into schools and community settings. The company’s intuitive, color-coded bleeding control kits are designed to empower everyday bystanders—including teachers and students—to act confidently in life-threatening emergencies. Rescue in Color has earned recognition from state-level boards of education, national school safety organizations, and education leaders across the country. The company was also awarded the prestigious EmpowHer Grant by the Boundless Futures Foundation in recognition of its mission-driven impact. Dr. Wagner’s mission is rooted in the belief that preparedness is not about instilling fear, but about empowering people to act. Through her clinical work, public speaking, and advocacy, she continues to inspire communities to turn knowledge into life-saving action. Book Savahanna TODAY! Testimonials

  • OFFICER MEG SOULTZ | Safe and Sound

    Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU Meg Soultz believes in a hands-on approach to school safety. As a dedicated advocate and expert, she brings a unique blend of experience in emergency medical response and law enforcement to help schools prepare for real-world crises. Her approach centers on building confidence through training, fostering strong school-law enforcement partnerships, and ensuring that safety tools are practical, intuitive, and ready when needed most. As co-founder of the Rescue in Color, a color-coded bleeding control system, Meg champions accessible solutions that empower everyone—not just first responders—to save lives. Through her presentations, she helps school communities strengthen their emergency readiness, improve response coordination, and create safer environments for students and staff alike. WHY Book Meg FOR YOUR EVENT? "I love when Meg comes and talks because not only having been a first responder has seen it, she's law enforcement, which means she's walked in the boots. Having that first hand experience teaching you makes all the difference." — Missy Dodds, Survivor of the Red Lake High School Shooting WHO Books Meg ? Meg Soultz connects with audiences through practical training, relatable scenarios, and a focus on building the confidence and skills needed to act in critical moments. Her presentations cover topics such as trauma response in schools, bleeding control preparedness, collaboration between schools and first responders, and creating safety protocols that are accessible and actionable for all school staff. Recent audiences Meg has spoken to include: Northeast School Safety Conference Gangs, Guns, and School Violence Prevention Summit (Vancouver, BC) Midwest School Safety Conference Danville PD, Indiana Indiana School Resource Officer Association Wasatch Peak Academy, Utah Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Meg Soultz - book her today! BOOK TODAY OFFICER MEG SOULTZ Co-Founder Rescue in Color Public Safety and Emergency Medical Expert BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Meg TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Medical (Crisis/Emergency Responder, School Nurse) Health & Wellness Emergency Preparedness & Response Stop the Bleed Keynote Presentation Professional Development Training & Workshops 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. Beyond the Band-Aids: Implementing a Bleeding Control Program in K-12 Space Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz, founders of Rescue in Color, for a pragmatic discussion on implementing bleeding control education and equipment in school settings. While CPR and AED training have long been part of school emergency preparedness, districts now face new legislative demands and community expectations regarding traumatic injury response. This course equips school administrators, educators and law enforcement professionals with practical strategies for integrating such a curriculum into the K-12 setting, ensuring effective emergency preparedness in today's evolving landscape. This presentation is most appropriate as a keynote address or breakout session. Before Help Arrives: Response to Traumatic Injuries by Civilian Responders Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz for a didactic and psychomotor session on the treatment of patients with life-threatening injuries. Your hands-on experience will help you become familiar with essential bleeding control skills including how to properly assess a patient, stop external blood loss, address chest injuries, and more! This course is tailored to the audience and is an approachable and safe space for learning these potentially life-saving skills. This training is most appropriate as a breakout session or hands-on in person training by request. We can tailor this training to the needs of the organization making the request, but is often given as a 2 hour basic training for the end user (teachers, administrators, bus drivers, etc), an advanced 2 hour course for responders with additional training (first responders, police officers, nurses), or full day train the trainer course for nurses or police officers looking to train their own organizations. We have also done a shortened version of this as a 1-hour breakout session. Class sizes are generally limited to 20 students per instructor. Larger groups require 2 instructors. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 "As a nurse, I've also previously experienced Stop the Bleed training, and these really kind of go hand in hand nicely, but I think what I appreciate the most about Rescue in Color, is it's really simple training that doesn't take hours and hours." -Annie Lumbar Bendson, Director of Health Services Minnetonka Schools "I have found them to both be passionate, really exceptional individuals, who care deeply about ensuring our school systems are safe and that students have what they need in the classroom and teachers have what they need in a classroom if there really is an emergency situation." -Nathan Flansburg, Superintendent PACT Charter Schools Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Meg began her career in public safety as an EMT while completing a bachelor’s degree in biology at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. During that time, she was also competing as a collegiate athlete for DePauw’s softball team and was recently inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame for her accomplishments. She continued her formal education at the IUPUI Purdue School of Science with a master’s degree in biology. Meg has worked as a paramedic at both Putnam County Operation Life and Indianapolis EMS. At present, Meg has 18 years of EMS experience in rural, urban, and suburban environments. Meg also served as a full time EMS Educator for the Eskenazi Hospital/IU School of Medicine associate’s degree program in Paramedic Science. During her time at Indianapolis EMS, she was selected as a tactical medica for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s SWAT Team and Bomb Squad. After finding a passion for law enforcement while serving as a tactical medic, Meg transitioned to full time law enforcement at the Carmel Police Department in Carmel, IN. During her career at Carmel, Meg was selected as a member of their SWAT team and served on the entry element with a specialization in less lethal and gas munitions. She was a certified instructor through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy both as a generalist and physical tactics instructor with formal training in the ASP Tactical Weapons program and the Krav Maga Force Training Division. She spent 5 years in the operations division before being promoted to patrol sergeant. She was later assigned to the School Resource Unit where she developed her passion for school safety. Meg made a geographic move to the Minneapolis area where she continued her law enforcement career and expanded her repertoire to include training as a hostage and crisis negotiator. Meg has a unique perspective having served in roles as both a paramedic and police officer and understands the challenges of teaching medical concepts to civilian first responders. Book Meg TODAY!

  • FAQ | Safe and Sound Schools | United States

    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

  • Parents for Safer Schools | Safe and Sound Schools | United States

    Parents for Safer Schools is a program designed to help parents and caregivers become school safety advocates and leaders of positive change in their community. The program provides supplemental resources designed to help educate and inspire parents and caregivers to advocate with authority and credibility, and lead school safety initiatives in their communities. Parents for Safer Schools is a program designed to help parents and caregivers become school safety advocates and leaders of positive change in their community. The program provides supplemental resources designed to help educate and inspire parents and caregivers to advocate with authority and credibility, and lead school safety initiatives in their communities. Parents for Safer Schools Program Guide: A step-by-step guide for actionable and organized school safety activities. Learn how to become a local school safety volunteer and advocate. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE Parents for SAFER SCHOOLS

  • DR. SAVAHANNA WAGNER | Safe and Sound

    Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU Dr. Savahanna Wagner has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to emergency preparedness and school safety, combining her medical expertise with a commitment to improving trauma response in educational settings. As co-founder of Rescue in Color, she co-developed an intuitive, color-coded bleeding control system designed to empower anyone within a school environment to act swiftly and effectively during life-threatening emergencies. Dr. Wagner's work emphasizes the importance of proactive, hands-on training and equipping school communities with the tools and confidence to respond to critical incidents. Her approach fosters a culture of preparedness and shared responsibility, ensuring that safety measures are accessible and actionable for everyone. WHY Book Savahanna FOR YOUR EVENT? "Savahanna brings an entirely different perspective as the doctor, and having [Rescue in Color] train and talk to you, you truly have experts in the field. They have the whole gamut covered from first responder to law enforcement to medical staff. Their wealth of knowledge is absolutely amazing." —Missy Dodds, Survivor of the Red Lake High School Shooting WHO Books Savahanna ? Savahanna’s speaking style is energetic, approachable, and deeply rooted in real-world emergency response experience. She connects with audiences through clear, practical instruction, relatable scenarios, and a strong focus on empowering everyday people to take lifesaving action in moments of crisis. Her presentations cover topics such as trauma-informed emergency preparedness, bleeding control, school-based crisis response, and building a culture of confident, capable responders across the school community. Recent audiences Savahanna has spoken to include: Northeast School Safety Summit Gangs, Guns, and School Violence Prevention Summit (Vancouver, BC) Midwest School Safety Summit Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Dr. Wagner - book her today! BOOK TODAY DR. SAVAHANNA WAGNER Co-Founder Rescue in Color Emergency Medical Expert BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Savahanna TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Health & Wellness Operations & Emergency Management Safety & Security Physical Security & Risk Assessment School Shooters: Profiles & Prevention Emergency Preparedness & Response Stop the Bleed Trauma-Informed Practices Inclusive School Safety Practices 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. Beyond the Band-Aids: Implementing a Bleeding Control Program in K-12 Space Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz, founders of Rescue in Color, for a pragmatic discussion on implementing bleeding control education and equipment in school settings. While CPR and AED training have long been part of school emergency preparedness, districts now face new legislative demands and community expectations regarding traumatic injury response. This course equips school administrators, educators and law enforcement professionals with practical strategies for integrating such a curriculum into the K-12 setting, ensuring effective emergency preparedness in today's evolving landscape. This presentation is most appropriate as a keynote address or breakout session. Before Help Arrives: Response to Traumatic Injuries by Civilian Responders Join Dr. Savahanna Wagner and Officer Meg Soultz for a didactic and psychomotor session on the treatment of patients with life-threatening injuries. Your hands-on experience will help you become familiar with essential bleeding control skills including how to properly assess a patient, stop external blood loss, address chest injuries, and more! This course is tailored to the audience and is an approachable and safe space for learning these potentially life-saving skills. This training is most appropriate as a breakout session or hands-on in person training by request. We can tailor this training to the needs of the organization making the request, but is often given as a 2 hour basic training for the end user (teachers, administrators, bus drivers, etc.), an advanced 2 hour course for responders with additional training (first responders, police officers, nurses), or full day train the trainer course for nurses or police officers looking to train their own organizations. We have also done a shortened version of this as a 1-hour breakout session. Class sizes are generally limited to 20 students per instructor. Larger groups require 2 instructors. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 "I have found them to both be passionate, really exceptional individuals, who care deeply about ensuring our school systems are safe and that students have what they need in the classroom and teachers have what they need in a classroom if there really is an emergency situation." -Nathan Flansburg, Superintendent PACT Charter Schools "Dr. Wagner actually sat on the district crisis committee and we were implementing Rescue in Color into a number of our schools trying to be able to make sure that they were easily accessible for emergency situations should a tragic event ever happen." -Nathan Flansburg, Superintendent PACT Charter Schools Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Dr. Savahanna Wagner is an Internal Medicine physician, international speaker, and co-founder of Rescue in Color, a pioneering women-owned company focused on school safety through intuitive, color-coded bleeding control kits and innovative training programs. With nearly 20 years of experience in emergency medical services, disaster medicine, and healthcare preparedness, Dr. Wagner brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, public health insight, and heartfelt advocacy to her work. She began her career at age 18 as an EMT in rural Indiana and went on to serve in leadership roles in EMS training, trauma and injury prevention, and hospital emergency preparedness. She has coordinated crisis planning efforts among hospital systems, public health departments, and regional emergency management partners, and helped lead mass casualty and disaster response trainings across the Midwest. Dr. Wagner holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she also developed and implemented a disaster triage curriculum that remains part of the core medical education program. She also earned a Master of Public Health from University College Dublin, where she served as the university’s Ambassador to the Irish Forum on Global Health, and a Master of Science in Biology from Purdue University. Today, Dr. Wagner works as a hospital-based Internist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She leads overnight rapid response teams, trains medical students and residents, and serves on her hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Committee. Her research has been published in JACC, Transplantation Proceedings, and Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. She has presented nationally on disaster resilience, transplant equity, and innovations in care delivery. Inspired by her role as a mother, Dr. Wagner co-founded Rescue in Color to bring evidence-based, approachable emergency response tools into schools and community settings. The company’s intuitive, color-coded bleeding control kits are designed to empower everyday bystanders—including teachers and students—to act confidently in life-threatening emergencies. Rescue in Color has earned recognition from state-level boards of education, national school safety organizations, and education leaders across the country. The company was also awarded the prestigious EmpowHer Grant by the Boundless Futures Foundation in recognition of its mission-driven impact. Dr. Wagner’s mission is rooted in the belief that preparedness is not about instilling fear, but about empowering people to act. Through her clinical work, public speaking, and advocacy, she continues to inspire communities to turn knowledge into life-saving action. Book Savahanna TODAY!

  • MISSY DODDS | Safe and Sound

    Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU On Monday, March 21, 2005, Missy’s life was forever changed when a former student shot his way into her classroom at Red Lake High School, where he killed a co-worker and five of her students before taking his own life. Since that day more than 20 years ago, Missy has been on a meaningful journey from victim to survivor, finding her voice and purpose as an advocate and speaker. Having witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of school violence on her students and community, she now dedicates her work to helping schools build safer, more supportive educational environments. In her presentations, Dodds emphasizes the importance of comprehensive safety strategies, including mental health resources, emergency preparedness, and community engagement. Her unique perspective as both a survivor and a champion for change makes her an impactful speaker, offering valuable insights on how to create proactive, resilient school cultures that prioritize student safety and foster bright futures. WHY Book Missy FOR YOUR EVENT? “Thankful for Missy Dodds’ willingness to share her traumatic experience at the hands of a targeted mass shooter and her journey of healing in its aftermath. Her message was well received by the audience and her personal experience clearly had an impact on the attendees on the importance of behavioral threat assessment in the prevention of future mass attacks.” —Nicole Tuomi Jones, Ph.D., LP, CTM, Psychologist, Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation WHO Books Missy ? Missy Dodds’ unique blend of raw honesty and deep compassion make her a popular speaker among a wide range of audiences and organizations, including: National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Indiana Department of Education North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Texas State University - Texas School Safety Center Texas Department of Public Safety Arkansas Safe Schools Association Delta Kappa Gamma West40 Intermediate Service Center (ISC) Vivent Health BOOK TODAY MISSY DODDS Survivor of the Red Lake High School Shooting BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Missy TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Safety & Security Culture, Climate & Community Recovery & Resilience After Trauma Turning Pain into Purpose Lessons Learned from Tragedy 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. Choosing to Survive: Lessons from Red Lake 1-2 Hour Keynote In this session, Missy shares both her personal journey of navigating life after a school shooting and her quest to understand how a school shooting can even happen. Through the pain, guilt and hard decisions, she is open and honest about her struggles, successes and how she now defines acceptance. Missy also shares how she found her “missing piece”—the answer to what she believes could have prevented the events on March 21, 2005. Missy’s presentation is suited for all educators, school-based law enforcement, school-based mental health providers, and community stakeholders. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 Ms. Dodds was engaging, entertaining, and well-received by the audience. She made valid points that were useful for the threat assessment training, and shared her own story to highlight that targeted mass attacks have impacts on survivors as well. She also did a good job of stressing the value of threat assessment as a tool to prevent violence. —Earl Sam, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Missy provides a heart-wrenching and heart-warming presentation regarding her experience with a school shooting. She reminds us that safer schools are the responsibility of the entire community - the entire community, not just educators and parents. We are challenged to do something and build those safe and healthy connections between our students, educators, and community at large. —Nicole Lentz, Manager of Pharmacy Academics, Vivent Health Thank you again for the opportunity, as Missy shared with us such an impactful story. Her resilience, courage and willingness to forgive inspires me. As I help navigate myself, my children, and family through our life journeys, Missy reminded me: when someone is dealing with a mental health crisis that ‘no one is at fault.’ Thank you, Missy, for being an advocate for safer school, and I wish you joy each and every day! — Ruth Rivera Crawford, Executive Administrative Assistant, Vivent Health Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY On Monday, March 21, 2005, Missy Dodds’ life was forever changed. A former student shot his way into her classroom at Red Lake High School in Northwest Minnesota. He killed a teacher and five of her students before taking his own life. Since that day, Missy has worked hard on her healing journey. This journey has taken her down many roads: learning to live with PTSD, the difference between being a victim and being a survivor and learning to allow her own children to experience and love school as much as she did. These paths have led Missy to becoming a school safety and mental health advocate. While Missy no longer teaches high school math, she is passionate about sharing what she has learned to help schools, parents and communities understand the importance of a comprehensive approach to school safety and recovery. Missy’s court case, Dodds vs Red Lake School District Workman’s Comp, helped to change the law in Minnesota to include PTSD as a viable workman’s comp claim. In 2015, Missy shared her story of recovery in the award-winning documentary, Red Lake, produced by Billy Luther. In 2018, Missy joined Safe and Sound Schools as a National Parent Ambassador and now serves as a regular speaker and outreach and training specialist for the national school safety non-profit. In 2022, Missy received the Outstanding Service Award from the Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for her work in school safety. She also serves as a parent representative for her local school district’s Emergency Operation Planning Committee and on her local Boys and Girls Club’s Program and Safety Committee. Born and raised in Arkansas, she lives in Northwest Minnesota with her husband and three children. Missy holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Bemidji State University. Book Missy TODAY!

  • Subscribe | Safe and Sound Schools | United States

    Tell us your communication preferences so we can send you tailored updates, timely resources, training opportunities, event notifications, and more! We look forward to staying in touch and working together to keep our school communities safe and sound Join the Safe and Sound Community Stay Informed, Stay Connected Tell us your communication preferences so we can send you the most relevant tools, event information, and updates—tailored to your role and priorities. Once you're part of our community, you'll get access to the resources, training, and support you need to help protect your school community and strengthen your safety efforts. We’re proud to stand with you in creating safe and sound schools!

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