March 2026 Newsletter

This E-Update from the Colorado Office of School Safety (OSS) provides current information on OSS activities, state-wide school safety efforts, and national resources. Please forward to others interested in Colorado school safety; click the button below to subscribe.

The Director's Corner

Dear Colleagues:

Happy March! I know we’ve been experiencing spring-like weather already, but for the sake of our water supply, let’s hope for a snowy March.

This month the OSS team will be traveling to Durango for the in-person Mini-Summit for Educators on March 6th. Once again, Dr. Melissa Reeves will cover both threat assessment with students in special education and information sharing, and Dr. Anna Mueller will discuss suicide prevention. The final workshop will be with Kati Garner and Amy Miglinas from the Office of School Safety discussing the necessary components of physical and psychological safety in schools. Registration for this event is closed. If you’d like to be added to the waitlist, please contact Melissa.Adducci@state.co.us

Although our in-person Student-Staff Summits are over, the OSS will host a virtual Student-Staff Summit on March 10th. Lynn Riemer, from ACT on Drugs, will be the keynote speaker. The OSS team will provide three timely workshops for the 8 - 12th grade students for the remainder of the day. Please get your staff who will supervise your students registered here.

Please consider taking advantage of both our Exploring the Impact of Gaming on Student Success and Project Unite now entitled TeamUp.

Registration for our June School Safety Specialist Academy is now open. Please see that information below.

In this newsletter you will also find a link to the job posting for Director of the Office of School Safety. It is with mixed emotions that I have announced my retirement as of June 30, 2026. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as both the Director of the CSSRC and now the OSS. I cherish not only my time and work with our team but also with all of you. I know the OSS will continue to thrive as a wonderful team remains. Thank you for all the support you have given me and our staff. I wish the next Director all the best.

Kindest regards, 

Christine R. Harms MS, Director

Colorado Office of School Safety

christine.harms@state.co.us or 303-912-6915

The Office of School Safety

Announcements

NEW - Office of School Safety Director Job Opening

The Colorado Department of Public Safety is seeking a Director for the Office of School Safety to provide strategic oversight, leadership, and expert guidance on improving school safety across the state. This role involves managing three distinct units, fostering inclusive stakeholder partnerships, and advising state leadership on emergency prevention, response, and recovery for educational environments.

Location: Hybrid (Lakewood, CO)

Application: Office of School Safety Director Posting

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NEW - Announcing The Colorado School Safety Showcase

October is School Safety Month, and this year, we’re doing something a little different. While we prepare to relaunch a bigger, bolder Annual School Safety Summit in 2027, we want to keep the momentum going right now by celebrating the incredible work happening across our state.

As a national leader in school safety, Colorado’s strength lies in its community. We know that districts and state partners are implementing groundbreaking programs and seeing real-world success every day. The Colorado School Safety Showcase is your platform to share those wins with your peers.

When: October 15th, 2026

Format: 100% Virtual

Cost: $50. Presenters can attend for free.

We are looking for dynamic, 60-minute virtual presentations that highlight:

• Successful Projects: Innovative safety infrastructure or procedural rollouts.
• Proven Programs: Mental health initiatives, threat assessment successes, or student-led safety groups.
• Collaborative Partnerships: How you’ve worked with state or local partners to enhance campus security.
• Lessons Learned: Practical advice and blueprints that other districts can adapt.

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NEW - Child Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention Resource Guide

The Office of School Safety has provided multiple resource guides for school personnel over the years. The team is in the process of updating all of our guides, and we are excited to bring you the first revision for 2026!

The Child Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention Resource Guide is full of helpful laws, definitions, and guidance on how to build a comprehensive program at your school or agency. You will find school-based programs, in-person and virtual opportunities, and programming ranging from free and downloadable to train-the-trainer options. Gear up for Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April with this fantastic tool.

Watch future newsletters for the release of other updates.

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NEW - Student-Staff Summit Data Collection

For the last ten years, the Office has been hosting Student-Staff Safety Summits across the state to give us an opportunity to learn from the experts on their safety concerns. It is an honor to interact with youth in their hometowns and regions. The experience often uplifts different safety considerations from one location to the next.

In school year 2025 - 2026, the Office traveled with drug expert Lynn Riemer from ACT on Drugs. Lynn has provided frank and accurate information to youth from middle and high schools on the consequences of vaping and drug use, including fentanyl. Students have found her to be honest, scientifically-based, and downright hilarious.

The team has visited Yuma, Mesa, and Pueblo County schools. If you missed them, don’t despair. We are hosting another virtual event on March 10th for those who can’t travel. Registration and more information are available above and at this link. 

We have compiled student responses to our surveys from the February 10th Grand Junction event in this document. We will post the Pueblo and Virtual Summit data when it is available. We are grateful for an opportunity to highlight student voices in our work!

Training

One-Day Safety Summit for Educators in Durango

Friday - March 6, 2026

Location: Impact Career Innovation Center at Durango High School

Plenary Sessions

• Melissa Reeves, Ph.D. (Safer Schools Together) - Threat Assessment: Information Sharing and Special Education Considerations
• Anna Mueller, Ph.D. (University of Indiana-Bloomington) - How do Social Relationships in Colorado Schools Shape Adolescent Health and Wellbeing to Prevent Suicide.
• Kati Garner, M. Ed. and Amy Miglinas, MA, Ed.S. (Office of School Safety) - From Protocol to Culture: Building Integrated School Safety Systems

Thanks to a partnership with the Durango School District, there is no charge to attend! Bagels and coffee and lunch (from Zia’s!) will be provided. 

Registration for this event is closed. If you’d like to be added to the waitlist, please contact Melissa.Adducci@state.co.us

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FREE Student-Staff Summit (8th - 12th grades) - Virtual

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, 9:45 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Virtual

This event is designed for 8th - 12th graders and their school staff. The goal is to gather youth voices on safety issues, collaborate with other youth on effective prevention, and provide actionable strategies to implement on campus.

Keynote: Lynn Riemer, ACT on Drugs: The Impact of Drugs on the Teen Brain, Body, and Future.

Workshops facilitated by OSS staff on Upstanding, Safe and Inclusive Schools, and Healthy Relationships will follow.

Register Here for the Virtual Summit by March 8th. The event is filling fast.

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Institutions of Higher Education Summer Safety Symposium

The Colorado Office of School Safety is hosting an annual one-day symposium focused on safety strategies and collaboration for personnel in higher education and K-12 environments. Speakers have been confirmed on:

• Radical Ideologies (FBI),
• Laws impacting higher education institutions, (Colorado Attorney General’s Office), 
• The Impact of Problem Gambling (Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado), and
• Best Practices in Reporting Concerning Behaviors in IHE. (OSS Staff) 

Date: Thursday May 28, 2026

Location: Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs (Make it a weekend at the hot springs!)

Register Here.

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Update - School Safety Academy—In Person!

This event is a 20-hour foundational training for anyone tasked to be the school safety lead at their school or district. Applicants must have completed FEMA courses IS-100.C and 362.A.

• The Academy will be held at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
• Mileage, lodging (as necessary) and meals will be covered by the Office of School Safety. We are excited to offer the Academy in-person again, and look forward to representation from across Colorado!

Registration will be capped at 25, so start the prerequisites now! View prerequisites and apply here.

Training on Request

Please visit our website to peruse our entire catalog of available offerings. A few newer, high demand workshops are described below.

Update - Exploring the Impacts of Gaming on Student Success

Under a grant from the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Gaming, the Office of School Safety partnered with the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado to bring you this training, which explores: 

• Evolving trends and types of video games
• Research on the effects of video games on school-aged youth
• Warning signs of gaming addiction and prevention strategies, and
• Resources and support

Where: Virtual

When: Join us in April/May for these Virtual training dates:

• Lunch & Learn for School Staff: Thursday April 16 @ 12:00, Register Here.
• Conversation with Families: Wednesday April 29 @ 6:00 pm, Register Here.
• Coffee Break with Families: Thursday April 30 @ 9:00 am, Register Here.
• Coffee Break for School Staff: Tuesday May 5 @ 9:00 am, Register Here.

This training runs approximately one hour and is adaptable for staff, parent/guardian communities, and youth. It is also appropriate for residence hall advisors at the higher education level. Contact us for more information.

Please contact Amy.Miglinas@state.co.us for more information.

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De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations (for either Higher Education or K - 12)

One of the recommendations of the Colorado Educator Safety Task Force is de-escalation training for school staff. The Office of School Safety partnered with the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI) to bring you verbal de-escalation strategies. The objectives of this training (4 hours) are to:

• Explore the importance of using a trauma-informed approach in the de-escalation process
• Identify common trauma responses and your role in escalation
• Understand the importance of emotional regulation in successful de-escalation
• Implement a practical de-escalation framework, and
• Review and practice de-escalation strategies

The training is free, but CTRI charges $9 for each electronic participant booklet. 

When: On request

Where: Your site or virtual

Request training here

Networking Groups

Online CTAMP Tool Users: 

Rather than meeting as a formal group in academic year 2025/26, informal office hours are scheduled each month. Please join us in March on these dates:

• March 11th (Wednesday) between 8 and 9 AM, and 
• March 24th (Tuesday) between 2 and 3 PM.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mike.Vagher@state.co.us to receive resources and updates.

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The Office of School Safety continues to host networking groups for interested staff this school year. Each group is planning for continuing education and networking opportunities:

• Threat Assessment, contact Brad.Stiles@state.co.us
• Suicide Prevention, contact Cary.Lynch@state.co.us (Groups have concluded for this year)
• Managing Problematic Sexual Behaviors, contact JaeDee.Wood@state.co.us
• Crisis Response, contact Leah.Lefever@state.co.us (Groups have concluded for this year)

Note: All meetings take place on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Please hold the following dates according to interest:

• March 17, 2026 - Threat Assessment
• April 21, 2026 - Problematic Sexual Behaviors

Online Training

Online courses are available: Visit the OSS website

Grants Unit

Current External Grants

NEW - School Health Professional Grant Program

The School Health Professional Grant Program (SHPG) is designed to provide funds to eligible education providers (School Districts, Board of Cooperative Services (BOCES), Charter Schools authorized by a School District, and Charter Schools authorized by the Charter School Institute (CSI)) to enhance the presence of school health professionals in K-12 schools.

• SHPG Cohort 8 RFA Q&A Session
• March 3, 2026, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Register here
• Application Deadline: Monday, March 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM 

Visit the SHPG website for more information.

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CDPHE provides School Hazardous Chemical Waste Removal Funding

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is providing financial assistance to schools for the removal of hazardous chemical wastes. Priority is given to schools committed to green chemistry, effective procurement systems to prevent future accumulation, and regulatory compliance. Applicants must submit a chemical inventory, a hygiene plan, and procurement procedures to their Local Public Health Agency (LPHA) for initial review.

Application Deadline: First-come, first-served (reviewed in order of receipt)

Location: Submit to Local Public Health Agency (Direct to CDPHE for select rural counties)

Application

Grant Training Opportunities

General Quarterly Reporting Webinar

This training will cover forms, reporting requirements, and other updates. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions as you prepare for the next quarterly reporting period. Remember, reporting is a grant requirement and non-compliance may impact your agency’s eligibility for future funding.

Training Date: Wednesday March 25, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30pm. Register Here.  

Grant Awardee Feedback

Feedback from Mancos School District:

"The Safety and Security Grant funds provided critical support for improving the physical security and long-term maintenance of our district’s facilities, particularly in Colorado’s oldest continuously operating school district. Through this funding, we were able to replace 50-year-old windows in our oldest buildings, significantly improving both safety and energy efficiency. In addition, the grant allowed us to secure front entrances across district buildings by installing safety glass, controlled pass-throughs, and a buzz-in entry system, greatly enhancing controlled access for students, staff, and visitors.

For a small, rural district with limited local funding capacity, these improvements would not have been possible without this grant. The investment was essential to protecting our students and staff while supporting the ongoing maintenance and sustainability of our aging facilities. Throughout the process, the department staff at the Office of School Safety were efficient, helpful, kind, and easy to work with, which made implementation smooth and successful."

Be Featured in The Grants Corner!

We want to celebrate you! If a grant helped your project take flight, tell us about it. Share a quick success story and a photo for a chance to be featured in our Newsletter.

Our grants team is here to support you. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to schedule a meeting or reach out to our dedicated grant support team.

Stay Connected: oss.colorado.gov/grants-overview

Thank you,

OSS Grants Unit

Crisis Response Unit

The Crisis Response Unit is excited to be offering a PREPaRE Workshop 2 Train the Trainer on April 21-22 at the Colorado State Patrol Academy in Golden. We will be charging a slight fee as well as the cost of materials. Participants will be responsible for the material fee at the time of registration. Please see additional information below regarding the course and registration. We are also happy to announce that we will be offering our Crisis Response Symposium virtually December 10, 2026. Stay tuned for additional information.

Training Opportunities

Become a certified trainer for PREPaRE WS2 

This comprehensive 2-day program (plus a 1- hour online module) provides the materials, practice, and standardized delivery skills needed to independently lead Workshop 2 sessions.

Date: April 21-22

Location: Colorado State Patrol Academy, 15055 S Golden Rd, Golden, CO 80401 

What’s Included:

• 13 hours of in-person, interactive instruction. 
• Full workshop presentation materials.
• Official certificate of completion upon passing the mastery tests. 

Prerequisites for Registration Workshop 2 Completion: 

• Must have finished the 3rd Edition within the last 2 years. 

Required Reading:

• Read School Crisis Prevention and Intervention: The PREPaRE Model. 

Knowledge Mastery: 

• Pass the online Model Content Mastery Test and all pre-workshop activities.

Cost: $355 material and presenter fee|View and distribute this

Register Here

Please remember we are available to assist, for a limited time per incident, in the initial recovery period following a critical incident when additional mental health resources are needed. If your school is experiencing a loss or incident, do not hesitate to reach out directly to Kati Garner via email kati.garner@state.co.us or phone 303-909-3672. We are here to assist you and want to make sure you get connected with the services you need.

Partner Events and Announcements

NEW - CDE provides Prevent School Violence Mini Training Opportunities

The Colorado Department of Education is offering a 45-minute training series designed to provide educators, administrators, and community partners with strategies to prevent school violence and foster supportive environments. This toolkit of virtual sessions focuses on strengthening family partnerships and empowering youth voices to enhance overall school safety.

Date/Deadline: March 4, 2026

Location: Zoom

Register Here: March 4 Training Registration

Date/Deadline: May 13, 2026

Location: Zoom

Register Here: May 13 Training Registration

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NEW - RMVLC provides Title IX Training

The Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center is hosting a training session to address how K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions must respond to sex-based harassment and protect students from discrimination. This session provides an overview of Title IX regulations, including protections for LGBTQIA+ and pregnant or parenting students, while discussing best practices for supporting victims throughout the Title IX process.

Date: April 22, 2026

Location: Virtual

Register Here: Title IX Training Registration

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NEW - CDPHE provides Sources of Strength Training and Funding Opportunities

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is offering free facilitator training and a rural elementary school pilot program to build upstream wellness and suicide prevention resources across the state

Interactive four-day training designed to build skills in facilitating Adult Advisor and Peer Leader sessions while equipping participants to implement the program to fidelity.

Date: May 11-14, 2026

Location: TBD

Register Here.

Two-day refresher and booster training for Colorado Sources of Strength Certified Local Trainers and Provisional Trainers to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Date: June 8-9, 2026

Location: TBD

Register Here.

Reach out to CDPHE_suicideprevention@state.co.us for any questions!

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NEW - Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL) Educational Sessions

Explore Emerging Threats to National Security with Your Students 

The CELL is offering a series of educational sessions for schools at no cost through June of 2026:

• Prevention in Practice: Tackling Online Extremism & Radicalization with William Braniff, Executive Director, PERIL, American University, 
• Strategy Under Strain: Adapting Defense Policy for a Changing World with Dr. Kim Cragin, National Security & Global Policy Expert, 
• From Gaza to Tehran: Global Conflict & Modern Extremism with Dr. Matthew Levitt, Expert on Middle East Security & Terrorism, and
• Without a Cause: Inside the Rise of Nihilistic Violent Extremism with Cody Zoschak, Researcher on Online Extremism & Emerging Threats

View this flyer for more information, and contact VSR@TheCELL.org to arrange your no-cost training.

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NEW - BHA and Kempe Center Provide School Mental Health Support Program

The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration and the Kempe Center offer the School Mental Health Support Program, a statewide initiative providing a toolkit of training, resources, and implementation support. The program is designed to strengthen mental wellness for students and educators in grades 6 through 12, with a specific focus on rural and underserved schools, by helping them build sustainable, trauma-informed mental health systems aligned with the Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework.

School Mental Health Support Program Overview

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NEW - CDPS and DFPC provides Mandatory Reporting for Fire Incidents in Schools

The Colorado Department of Public Safety requires K-12 public schools to report any fire incident occurring on school property, including "cold fire" incidents or discovered remnants of burned material. This reporting process ensures that all fire events in school buildings, playgrounds, or buses are documented through both local fire departments and the official online portal.

State's Online Reporting Form

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CU Cancer Center provides Be Strong for Tomorrow Program

The University of Colorado Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, in partnership with 2Morrow Health, offers a free smoking and vaping cessation program accessible via smartphone or computer. The initiative provides educational presentations for schools and communities, alongside specialized cessation modules for adolescents, adults, and pregnant women to address the health risks associated with nicotine addiction.

Date: Ongoing

Location: Available statewide via smartphone app or computer

Enroll Here.

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CDE Shares Colorado Project AWARE Resource Collection

A comprehensive suite of tools and guides developed to strengthen school-based mental and behavioral health infrastructure. These resources were created in response to statewide needs and align with Colorado’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports to foster wellbeing and belonging in educational settings.

Resources.

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CDE hosts Building Strong Health and Wellness Teams Community of Practice

The Colorado Department of Education and Action for Healthy Kids are hosting a four-session virtual series to assist district and school teams in sustaining wellness programs and implementing policy-aligned initiatives.

Date: February 19 - March 12, 2026

Register Here.

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CDE provides Landscape of Wellbeing and Belonging Training

The Colorado Department of Education is hosting a training series to help schools and districts utilize the Landscape of Wellbeing and Belonging framework. Participants will learn to use self-assessment tools and data to prioritize actionable steps for improving student engagement and educator workforce strength within a multi-tiered system of supports.

Date: March 5, 2026; March 10, 2026; April 15, 2026

Register Here.

Other Events and Trainings

Events and Announcements

NEW - Upstream offers Mental Health Changemakers Fellowship

Upstream is offering a paid professional development fellowship designed to equip educators with Tier 1 Mental Health and Social Emotional Learning tools. This program provides participants with a stipend, a library of ready-to-use lessons, and monthly virtual expert sessions to support student well-being and educator leadership.

Application Deadline: April 6, 2026

Location: Virtual

Application: Upstream Fellowship Application

Note: This opportunity includes a $500 stipend for participants.

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NEW - CDC provides HEART

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the Health Equity Assessment and Resource Toolkit (HEART), an interactive online resource designed to help state and local health departments and their partners examine how their programs and policies contribute to health equity and the prevention of violence.

HEART Assessment Toolkit

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NEW - USSS provides Virtual Training Calendar and Registration

The United States Secret Service provides a virtual training calendar and registration portal to facilitate access to educational sessions and events hosted by the agency. This resource serves as a centralized hub for individuals to sign up for upcoming virtual training opportunities and receive updates regarding scheduled sessions.

Multiple dates available: Register Here

The Office of School Safety

The OSS offers no-cost assistance to all Colorado Pre-K through higher education schools for school safety planning. They provide consultation, resources, training, and technical assistance to help create a safe, positive, and successful school environment. The OSS can customize training for your school's safety and crisis planning teams or staff. Stay updated on school safety information and upcoming trainings by visiting oss.colorado.gov.

Thank you for supporting safe and positive schools in Colorado!

Office of School Safety

700 Kipling Street #1000

Denver, CO 80215 

Phone: 303-239-4435

Email: cdps_oss@state.co.us

Website: oss.colorado.gov