This Week in School and Campus Safety

Good morning,

This Weekly Update by the Illinois School and Campus Safety Program links to resources on transportation safety for back to school, provides information on the upcoming Illinois School Safety Conference, and promotes upcoming classes.

Thank you for your interest in school and campus safety. However, if you wish to no longer receive our emails, let me know and I will remove you from our contacts list.

Respectfully,

Laura Black

le-black@wiu.edu

Program Coordinator

Illinois School and Campus Safety Program

Back to School Safety Part I: Transportation Safety

In the days ahead, students across the state will be heading back to class. Whether riding the bus, walking, biking, or driving, it is important to keep safety in mind and to remind others of safe transportation practices. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) has created a page on Back to School: Keeping Children Safe, which includes information on school bus, bicycle, pedestrian, and child safety. The NHTSA also has a separate page with information on School Bus Safety.

Cyberbullying, Sextortion, and The Pathway to Radicalization on Aug. 28th via Zoom

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Cyberbullying, Sextortion, and the Pathway to Radicalization class on August 28th via Zoom.

This essential training tackles the difficult realities of cyberbullying, sextortion, and online radicalization, highlighting their evolution in the age of Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on SST cases, data-driven best practices, and years of hands on experience, this training provides attendees with the tools and knowledge to identify and support vulnerable youth, understand the impact of these concerns, and develop proactive prevention and intervention strategies. 

For more information and to register, click here.

Critical Incident Response and Management on September 3rd via Zoom

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Critical Incident Response and Management class on September 3rd via Zoom.

The Critical Incident Response and Management training by Safer Schools Together is designed to help schools, districts, and stakeholders navigate critical incidents with intentional care and consistent practices. The training focuses on understanding the key steps in a Critical Incident Response and Management, the importance of a trauma-informed, unified response, and proactive policies/procedures. Participants in the training will gain access to a companion toolkit to use beyond the session.

For more information and to register, click here.

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management in a School Setting September 9-10th in Springfield

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management in a School Setting class is being held in Springfield, Il September 9-10th.

This two-day training through Deisinger Consulting, LLC will help participants to better understand the dynamics of targeted violence and to develop and enhance strategies for early identification, assessment, and intervention with threatening and concerning behaviors.

For more information and to register, click here.

Current Online Behavioral Trends and Updates Classes for Sept. through December

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce upcoming sessions of the monthly 2-hr Current Online Behavioral Trends and Updates class from 9am-11am via Zoom on Sept. 24th, Oct. 22nd, Nov. 19th, and Dec 17th.

The monthly Current Online Behavioral Trends and Updates sessions complement Safer Schools Together’s Digital Threat Assessment® training. These monthly sessions have been developed out of a need to continue to keep school safety and threat assessment teams informed so that they are able to adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape. Staying up to date with the current digital landscape will help teams build capacity and sustainability within your community. Each monthly session will review the most current trends in social media, with updated information each month!

For more information and to register, click here.

Digital Threat Assessment® on September 30th via Zoom

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Digital Threat Assessment® class will be held on September 30th via Zoom.

The Digital Threat Assessment® training will enable participants to establish a framework to better assess all threats by constructing and considering the digital baseline of a threat maker by locating, documenting, and evaluating social media data through a threat assessment lens. A significant portion of the day will be spent engaging in hands-on exercises on the most prevalent social media platforms and associated search applications.

 For more information and to register, click here.

Cybersecurity in Education: Risk Assessment, Mitigation, and Management on October 6th via Zoom

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of Cybersecurity in Education: Risk Assessment, Mitigation, and Management class will be held on October 6th via Zoom.

The impact of cyberattacks extends beyond major corporations, including educational institutions like schools, districts, and campuses that may not realize they are susceptible to these attacks. Are your teams prepared to navigate a cyber threat? Utilizing key principles of Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA), participants will explore the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape and its implications for school and campus safety. The session will delve into identifying and mitigating cyber threats, understanding the current cyber threat landscape, implementing effective risk assessment strategies, and developing effective incident response plans. Through this training, participants will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to proactively prevent, assess, and respond to a wide range of digital and cyber-related challenges, ensuring a safer and more secure learning environment for all.

 For more information and to register, click here.

Critical Incident Response and Management on October 29th via Zoom

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Critical Incident Response and Management class on October 29th via Zoom.

The Critical Incident Response and Management training by Safer Schools Together is designed to help schools, districts, and stakeholders navigate critical incidents with intentional care and consistent practices. The training focuses on understanding the key steps in a Critical Incident Response and Management, the importance of a trauma-informed, unified response, and proactive policies/procedures. Participants in the training will gain access to a companion toolkit to use beyond the session.

For more information and to register, click here.

Looking for classes later in the Fall? View the course schedule through December on the Upcoming Events page of the Illinois School and Campus Safety Resource Center!

Illinois School Safety Conference October 7th

The Illinois School Safety Conference is scheduled for October 7, 2026, from 7:15 am to 4:00 pm in Rosemont, IL. This conference is free for school personnel, police, emergency preparedness personnel, and public safety officers (you must bring your school or agency ID to enter the event). The conference includes speakers from various organizations, free continental breakfast and lunch, and onsite vendors. Additionally, paperwork will be provided on site for school personnel seeking Professional Development hours.

For more information and to register, click here.