September 2024 Newsletter

The Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation at Western Connecticut State University is funded from appropriations through the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Office of Higher Education.

Director's Corner

Dear School Safety Partners,

I hope you had some time for self-care over the summer months. We are excited to provide you with some updated data from the work of our Regional School Safety Coordinators.

• We were able to provide professional development to 180 participants through our four Regional School Safety Summer Conferences. (Please see some of the great photographs of the events throughout the newsletter).
• There has been a significant increase in the services provided to Connecticut schools across the state in the past three years. The graphs illustrate Regional Crisis Team (RCT) activations, direct consultations to school districts, and professional development. 

It is extremely fulfilling to be a part of the school safety infrastructure across the state. Please remember that we are dedicated to serving you in all of your school safety needs. 

Your partner in school safety,

Amery

Amery Bernhardt, D.M.

Director CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation



Department of Emergency Services

and Public Protection

Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

From the DEMHS State School Safety Program Desk

Dear School Safety Partners,

Welcome back, I hope everyone had a great summer. By now you should have received the 2024-2025 school safety documents including the 14 plan standards, and the all-hazards plan template. The only change this year is the addition of a Special Education department representative to each school safety committee. I have made the appropriate changes in the document to add the special education representative where school safety committee members are listed. The changes can be seen on the document change page near the beginning of the plan.

This change came about because Tanya Iacono and I were invited to sit on a Ad Hoc Committee for Special Education. The panel included but was not limited to parents of special education students in Connecticut. The parents expressed the need for special education representation in the planning of school drills and emergency response. The parents want their children to be trained and included in the drills but since their needs and abilities are different than the overall student population, this creates the need for a subject matter expert in the planning piece. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Your partner in school safety,

Bill Turley

Manager Training and Exercise

School Safety Program Lead

State of Connecticut

Department of Emergency

Services & Public Protection

Division of Emergency Management

and Homeland Security

1111 Country Club Rd

Middletown CT 06457

Office 860-685-8556

Cell  860-250-6158

William.turley@ct.gov

(Front) Dr. Manohar Singh, President (Interim) WCSU, State Senator Julie Kushner, Dr. Kimberly Myers, Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation; (Back) Gregg Crerar, Interim VP of Institutional Advancement-WCSU, Robert L. Berry, Chief of Police-WCSU, Dr. Amery Bernhardt, Director-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation

The North Central Regional Suicide Advisory Board (RSAB) supports the overall vision of the CT Suicide Advisory Board, the goals and objectives of the CT Suicide Prevention Plan. The RSAB coordinates training opportunities and offers guidance on evidence based activities and planning for mental health promotion, and suicide prevention, intervention and response. The board meets on the 2nd Tuesday bimonthly starting in October from 1-2pm at the Amplify Community Room.

• When:  10/8/24 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Where:  Amplify Community Room
• Who Should Attend: Meetings are open to all.
• RSVP at Link
• Please Save the Dates for future RSAB meetings: Meetings held the 2nd Tuesday bi-monthly; from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (12/10/24, 2/11/25, 4/8/25, 6/10/25, 8/12/25)

Region 1 Gambling Awareness Team consists of community stakeholders working toward raising awareness and developing prevention and treatment capacity in the region. We host gambling awareness trainings and webinars. The team meets quarterly to review gambling trends, needs, gaps, and access to treatment.

• When:  10/8/24 from 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Where: In-Person at the Burroughs Community Center
• Who Should Attend: Meetings are open to all.
• RSVP to Dena Miccinello by emailing Dmiccinello@catalystct.org for more information and to receive the zoom link.
• Please Save the Dates for future Region 1 Gambling Awareness Team meetings: Meetings held the 2nd Tuesday of the month, Quarterly; from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. (1/14/25, March - no meeting to celebrate PGAM, 4/8/25, 6/10/25)

The Region 2 Gambling Awareness Team focuses on raising awareness and promoting prevention, treatment, and recovery from problem gambling and gaming across the lifespan. All are welcome to attend our meetings and get involved. We meet bimonthly and host events, trainings, and attend regular outreach events. Our next meeting is:

• When: TBA
• Where: Virtually
• Who Should Attend: Meetings are open to all.

For additional information, please contact Brailee Whan at bwhan@bhcare.org.

The DEMHS Region 2 School Safety & Security Group Meeting 

• When:  TBA
• Where: Virtually
• Who Should Attend: This meeting is for Administrators, Facility Directors, Business Officials, SRO's, Security Personnel, Emergency Management Personnel, Mental Health Professionals, Technology Leaders, etc. As always, we ask others to share our group and meeting information with their respective school safety and security partners. Please share my contact information as well.
• Those who are interested in being part of our group are encouraged to email their contact information to Jeff Nielsen at Jnielsen@milforded.org. Group membership includes receiving correspondence related to meeting announcements and information related to school safety/security.

Region 2 South Central Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization

Alliance for Prevention & Wellness / A Program of BHcare

Regional Suicide Advisory Board (RSAB) Meetings

• When:  10/1/24 at 10:30 a.m.
• Where: Virtually
• Region 2 RSAB supports the overall vision of the statewide CT Suicide Advisory Board, the goals and objectives of the CT Suicide Prevention Plan, and provides the local and regional infrastructure for activities.
• Who Should Attend: For those within Region 2's territory: Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Derby, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Haven, Essex, Guilford, Haddam, Hamden, Killingworth, Lyme, Madison, Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Orange, Portland, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, Westbrook, West Haven, Woodbridge.
• For more information, please contact Taylor Gainey, MHA, at Tgainey@bhcare.org.
• Please Save the Dates for future RSAB meetings. All meetings will be held on the first Tuesday, bi-monthly. Meetings: 12/3/24

The DEMHS Region 3 Capitol Emergency Management Meeting

• When: TBA
• Where: In-Person
• Who Should Attend: This meeting is for Administrators, Facility Directors, Business Officials, SRO's, Security Personnel, Emergency Management Personnel, Mental Health Professionals, Technology Leaders, etc.
• RSVP to Claudia Nardi at Cnardi@cantonschools.org or call 860-693-7704 if you plan on attending or sending a representative.

The DEMHS Region 4 ESF-5 School Safety Sub-Committee

• When: 9/4/24 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Where: Hybrid (Both Zoom and In-Person) In-Person held at East Lyme Public Safety Complex located at 277 West Main Street, Niantic, CT.
• Who Should Attend: For those organizations within Region 4’s territory: Ashford, Bozrah, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Mansfield, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Salem, Scotland, Sprague, Sterling, Stonington, Thompson, Union, Voluntown, Waterford, Willington, Windham, Woodstock. Attendance/membership for this group could include, but not be limited to: Any school staff who are responsible for school safety planning in their districts; SROs; Emergency Managers; Public Safety Chiefs/Department Heads; Public Health Officials; any others with vested interest.
• RSVP if you are interested in attending: Please send an email with your interest to Julie C. Wilson at Jwilson@eastlymepolice.org in order to be added to the meeting email distribution list, and to receive the Zoom Link. Please save the dates for future School Safety Subcommittee meetings. All meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and will be Hybrid on Zoom and In-Person. Meetings: 10/2/24, 11/6/24, 12/4/24, 1/1/25.

The DEMHS School Reunification Planning Committee (Note: meets (Hybrid) immediately after the Region 4 ESF-5 School Safety Sub-Committee Meeting)

• When: TBA
• Where: Hybrid (Both Zoom and In-Person) In-Person held at East Lyme Public Safety Complex located at 277 West Main Street, Niantic, CT.
• Who Should Attend: For those organizations within Region 4’s territory: Ashford, Bozrah, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Mansfield, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Salem, Scotland, Sprague, Sterling, Stonington, Thompson, Union, Voluntown, Waterford, Willington, Windham, Woodstock. Attendance/membership for this group could include, but not be limited to: Any school staff who are responsible for school safety planning in their districts; SROs; Emergency Managers; Public Safety Chiefs/Department Heads; Public Health Officials; any others with vested interest.
• RSVP if you are interested in attending: Please send an email with your interest to Julie C. Wilson at Jwilson@eastlymepolice.org in order to be added to the meeting email distribution list, and to receive the Zoom Link. Please save the dates for future School Reunification Planning Committee Meetings. All meetings will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and will be Hybrid on Zoom and In-Person.

The DEMHS Region 5 School Safety and Security Working Group

• When: 9/25/24 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Where: Virtually
• The mission of this group is to provide a school safety and security network consisting of school resources who can share lessons learned and quality information pertaining to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our schools.
• RSVP if you are interested in attending:  please email your interest to John Field at John.field@ct.gov. 
• Please Save the Dates for future School Safety and Security Working Group Meetings: 10/24/24, 11/28/24. 

The Western Regional Crisis Team Meetings (covering the RESC regions of EdAdvance & CES)

• When:  9/17/24 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
• Where:  Virtually
• Topic: During our first meeting, we will review RCT protocols including how to activate the team during a crisis. I will also be discussing general updates from the Center. Thank you for your continued involvement on this team.
• Who Should Attend:  These meetings are geared towards the mental health professionals servicing our K-12 students.
• For more information or to join the Team: please email Tanya Iacono at Iaconot@wcsu.edu.
• Please Save the Dates for future RCT Meetings: 10/22/24, 11/12/24, 12/17/24, 1/14/25, 2/25/25, 3/18/25, 4/15/25, 5/13/25, 6/3/25 - Planning Meeting.

The ACES Regional Crisis Team Meeting (Covering the RESC South Central Region)

• When: 9/19/24 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Where: Virtually via Zoom
• Topic: Our first meeting in September will begin with an overview of the process to activate the team following a crisis. We will talk about goals for the school year and what worked well in districts last year that we can carry over. Please do not be modest, other districts will find your input valuable. I emailed everyone an attachment of the SOAR Model. We will review the SOAR model (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results). Please take a look at that. This will help guide our discussion. Additionally, if you attended any trainings over the summer that you would like to share, please feel free to do so in this space. I will share the Center updates as well.
• Who Should Attend:  These meetings are geared towards the mental health professionals servicing our K-12 students.
• For more information or to join the Team:  please email Sadie Witherspoon at Witherspoons@wcsu.edu.
• Please Save the Dates for future RCT Meetings: 10/17/24, 11/21/24, 12/19/24, 1/16/25, 2/20/25, 3/20/25, 4/17/25, 5/15/25, 6/12/25 - Planning Meeting.

The North Central Regional Crisis Team Meeting (Covering the RESC Capitol Region Education Council)

• When: 9/11/24 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Where: Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 870 9664 2732, Passcode: 856200
• Topic: We will have a presentation / discussion on Human Trafficking from the HART Team, the most recent statistics for CT, efforts for awareness and prevention of child sex trafficking, reporting, personal stories from victims, and services for victims of domestic sex trafficking. Our September 11th meeting will go till 11:00 a.m. instead of 10:30 as the training does fulfill the 2 hr. statewide training requirement. Due to seeing a rise of incidents in this area as well as our region., I thought this would be a good way for all of us to receive excellent information in the start of a new school year.
• Who Should Attend: These meetings are geared towards the mental health professionals servicing our K-12 students.
• For more information or to join the Team: please email Kimberly Myers at Myersk@wcsu.edu.
• Please Save the Dates for future RCT Meetings: 10/9/24, 11/13/24, 12/11/24, 1/8/25, 2/12/25, 3/12/25, 4/9/25, 5/14/25, 6/11/25 - Planning Meeting.

The Northeastern Regional Crisis Team Meetings (Covering the EASTCONN RESC Region)

• This team will meet jointly with the Southeastern Regional Crisis team for the remainder of the 2024/2025 academic year.
• When: 9/11/24 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Where: Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 870 9664 2732, Passcode: 856200
• Topic: Welcome back! My colleague, Kimberly Myers, (in the North Central Region) has scheduled a presentation and discussion on Child Trafficking from the HART Team on September 11th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. As this important conversation is scheduled to occur at the same time as our usual meeting, I'm inviting all Eastern CT Regional Crisis Team members to attend this event in lieu of our regular meeting. Please note the change in the end time for this meeting only., This conversation is based on the Intro to Child Trafficking in CT curriculum. This training is typically offered in a 3 hr. format, but has been abbreviated to 2 hours while still meeting all of the statewide training requirements in order to meet the needs of this group. The training assists participants in identifying victims of child trafficking as well as receiving tips on how best to respond and support identified trafficking victims. Participants will learn definitions, federal and state legislation related to human trafficking, prevalence of child sex and labor trafficking in CT and more. CEUs are available.
• Towns: Andover, Ashford, Bozrah, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Franklin, Griswold, Hampton, Hebron, Killingly, Lebanon, Lisbon, Mansfield, Marlborough, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sprague, Stafford, Sterling, Thompson, Tolland, Union, Voluntown, Woodstock, Willington, Windham
• Who Should Attend: These meetings are geared towards the mental health professionals supporting our K-12 students. 
• For more information or to join the Team: please email Kiley Young at Youngki@wcsu.edu.
• Please Save the Dates for future RCT Meetings: 10/9/24, 11/13/24, 12/11/24, 1/8/25, 2/12/25, 3/12/25, 4/9/25, 5/14/25, and a brief planning meeting in June TBD.

The Southeastern Regional Crisis Team Meetings (Covering the LEARN RESC region)

• This team will meet jointly with the Northeastern Regional Crisis team for the remainder of the 2024/2025 academic year.
• When: 9/11/24
• Where: Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 870 9664 2732, Passcode: 856200
• Topic: Welcome back! My colleague, Kimberly Myers, (in the North Central Region) has scheduled a presentation and discussion on Child Trafficking from the HART Team on September 11th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. As this important conversation is scheduled to occur at the same time as our usual meeting, I'm inviting all Eastern CT Regional Crisis Team members to attend this event in lieu of our regular meeting. Please note the change in the end time for this meeting only., This conversation is based on the Intro to Child Trafficking in CT curriculum. This training is typically offered in a 3 hr. format, but has been abbreviated to 2 hours while still meeting all of the statewide training requirements in order to meet the needs of this group. The training assists participants in identifying victims of child trafficking as well as receiving tips on how best to respond and support identified trafficking victims. Participants will learn definitions, federal and state legislation related to human trafficking, prevalence of child sex and labor trafficking in CT and more. CEUs are available.
• Towns: Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Lyme, Essex, Groton, Guilford, Haddam, Killingworth, Ledyard, Lyme, Madison, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Preston, Salem, Stonington, Waterford, Westbrook
• Who Should Attend: These meetings are geared towards the mental health professionals supporting our K-12 students. 
• For more information or to join the Team: please email Kiley Young at Youngki@wcsu.edu.
• Please Save the Dates for future RCT Meetings: 10/9/24, 11/13/24, 12/11/24, 1/8/25, 2/12/25, 3/12/25, 4/9/25, 5/14/25, and a brief planning meeting in June TBD.

• September 20th |The Madison Holleran Foundation Presentation on "What Made Maddy Run The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of An All-American Teen" with Speaker: Carli Bushoven (Maddy's Sister) -Hosted by SERAC (Southeastern CT Regional Action Council). This Virtual event will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00pm via Zoom. If you need more information or have any questions, please contact Mark Irons at mirons@seracct.org. Also see Flyer.

• September 23 & 24, 2024 | Intro to Child Trafficking in Connecticut: Training of Trainer - hosted by the Connecticut Children's Alliance. The Introduction to Child Trafficking in Connecticut Training of Trainer (TOT) is a 2-day In-Person training for those that are interested in being certified to teach the curriculum to schools, service providers, and the general public. Pre-requisite: Participants must have attended the Introduction to Child Trafficking in CT training prior to the date of the TOT. This training will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• September 25-26 | 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security - For the 3rd year in a row, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will host the National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security. This Virtual event brings K-12 school leaders and practitioners to discuss and share actionable recommendations that enhance safe and supportive learning environments. This FREE event is open to anyone with a passion for improving school safety but will be of particular interest to K-12 school and district administrators, principals and superintendents, school-based law enforcement, teachers and school staff, mental health practitioners, first responders, federal, state, local, tribal, territorial government partners, and other school safety and security professionals.

• September 26-29 | NARACES 2024 - North Atlantic Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. This conference will be held at the Sheraton in Atlantic City, NJ. The Keynote speaker will be Dr. Amanda L. Giordano, Ph.D., LPC. Dr. Giordano, PhD, LPC is an associate professor at the University of Georgia who specializes in addictions counseling. She is the sole author of a clinical reference book titled, A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions and co-author of a textbook titled, Addiction Counseling: A Practical Approach. Dr. Giordano also created two online credential courses with Mental Health Academy that focus on clinical work with behavioral addictions, and clinical work with substance use disorders. As a scholar, Dr. Giordano works to advance the counseling field with rigorous research and has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. In 2018, she received the Addictions/Offender Educator of Excellence Award from the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors and in 2024 she was awarded the Garry R. Waltz Trailblazer Award from the American Counseling Association in recognition of her work with behavioral addictions. To Learn More, please click HERE.

• October 24-25 | Northeast School Safety Summit 2024. Join Safe and Sound Schools for an inspiring two-day event designed to rethink comprehensive school safety! This impactful summit will engage and educate law enforcement, school safety specialists, multidisciplinary teams, K-12 administrators, and community stakeholders from across the Northeast region. Be sure to check out the details and share this opportunity with your networks! Learn from nationally recognized speakers, explore best practices, discover innovative programs, and gain actionable insights for the school year ahead and beyond. View the Agenda and Register Today!

• November 15 & 16 | CABE/CAPSS Convention hosted by the Connecticut Associate of Boards of Education. The CABE/CAPSS Convention provides Connecticut board of education members and superintendents the opportunity to acquire knowledge through general sessions and workshops that can help them prepare students to be successful in the 21st Century. The Convention will be held at the Mystic Marriott Hotel in Groton, CT. Attend the Convention and experience a day focused on student growth. Hear from top-level education thought leaders on the latest educational initiatives, celebrate Connecticut's talented students, network with school leaders from throughout the State. To Learn More, please click HERE.

• November 19, 2024 | CASBHC 2024 Annual Conference - Hosted by the CT Association of School Based Health Centers. Save the Date! Join us at our Annual conference this fall as we cultivate a culture of caring. This conference will be held at the Heritage Hotel & Conference Center in Southbury, CT from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Robert Keder who will be presenting on Clinical Approaches to Navigating Bullying for School-Based Professionals. This dynamic and digitally interactive session addresses the topic of bullying from the ground up. Participants will consider different lenses through which to view bullying. We will discuss what bullying looks like in 2024 and the roles of involved children. Participants will be introduced to developmental risk and resilience factors affecting these children and develop strategies to support them both in clinical and school contexts. Save the Date! Registration information to follow. To Learn More - Click Here

• February 16-18, 2025 | 8th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference - Largest Gathering of Trauma-Informed Educators - Building Resilience & Improving Children's Outcomes. Hosted by Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN). The Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia. It will also be virtual Feb. 20-21, 20225. Join the largest gathering of Trauma Informed Educators dedicated to building Trauma-Responsive Schools gathering in Atlanta, GA. Registration will open soon! Early-bird registration expires Dec. 15th. To Learn More - Click HERE

• Incident Command System (ICS) in Schools - An Overview of ICS for Connecticut School Systems -Sponsored by the State of CT Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. This program is designed to introduce you or re-introduce the concepts of ICS and how they apply to school systems in Connecticut. The program will also cover several resources available to schools. The course is generally delivered as a 2-hour in person program. Please see Flyer for more information. If you have any questions, please contact DEMHS Training Points of Contact: Michael Paradis, Trainer, email: Michael.Paradis@CT.Gov.

• The Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) is a three-hour introductory training focusing on a behavioral approach to violence prevention. The TERO raises awareness about the risk factors, triggers and stressors, and warning behaviors that could impact a person's decision to commit an act of targeted violence. Further, it outlines the mitigating factors that could help prevent acts of targeted violence, while emphasizing the importance of community involvement in seeking help for individuals, and respecting their privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. If you have any questions, please contact DEMHS Training Points of Contact: DEMHS.TrainingandExercise@CT.Gov.

• The Basic Threat Evaluation and Reporting Course (B-TERC) is a one-day training that teaches participants how to assist in preventing acts of targeted violence, such, but not limited to, terrorism, school shootings, or mass attacks in public spaces, by identifying those threats or observable behaviors that may indicate the potential for violence. Participants are equipped with the tools to identify and report threats or observable behaviors that may concern others, as well as recognize intervention strategies to move individuals off a pathway to violence. If you have any questions, please contact DEMHS Training Points of Contact: DEMHS.TrainingandExercise@CT.Gov.

• The Threat Evaluation and Reporting Course (TERC) is a three-day course that will teach participants how to apply Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) best practices to assist in preventing acts of targeted violence, such as, but not limited to, terrorism, school shootings, or mass attacks in public spaces, by identifying those threats or observable behaviors that may indicate the potential for violence. The TERC teaches students to utilize a four-step BTAM model to identify, investigate, assess, and manage individuals who display threats or observable behaviors that may concern others. If you have any questions, please contact DEMHS Training Points of Contact: DEMMHS.TrainingandExercise@CT.Gov.

Resources by SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

September is National Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.

During September, and throughout the year, we can care about suicide prevention; connect to community, culture, data, and research; and collaborate with others to address this public health problem that has impacted millions of Americans.

How You Can Help

Educate yourself and others about suicide prevention:

Learn the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, how to support someone considering suicide, and familiarize yourself with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): Each year, the SPRC creates a resource full of ways to get involved in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Here is the resource for 2024!

Read and share the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan. To Learn More, please click HERE.

• For additional suicide prevention information and resources, please visit Prevent Suicide CT.
• For health and behavioral health systems, please consider joining the CT Zero Suicide Learning Community.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or in CT 2-1-1.



This publication offers guidance for law enforcement agencies in planning and preparing for remembrance events commemorating the victims of mass casualty events. Focusing on incident management, it covers considerations for operational and communications plans, identifying and working with stakeholders, and the trauma impact of such events on the public and on first responders. A detailed checklist of public safety planning considerations is included.

LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately likely to face homelessness, are vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking, and encounter institutional barriers which hinder their access to services. This publica­tion, Human Trafficking in LGBTQ+ Youth, was developed as part of the Partnerships to Address Labor Trafficking project, designed to improve awareness, responsiveness, and accountability on labor trafficking among law enforcement, businesses, communities, the courts, and other stakeholders. It provides steps criminal justice and social service agencies can take to serve this population and links to resources providing further information and assistance. Click here for the publication.

Resources provided by the CT Human Anti-trafficking Response Team

• Internet Safety Guide for Caregivers Resource Guide
• Suicide Prevention Booklet for Email-English
• Suicide Prevention Booklet for Email-Spanish

Resources shared by NASRO

Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the K-12 School Security Guide Companion Product for School-Based Law Enforcement and School Resource Officers, a new resource to help school-based law enforcement and school resource officers support physical security planning and implementation efforts in K-12 communities.

School-based law enforcement and school resource officers work with school officials and community-based organizations to protect K-12 schools from a range of safety and security threats. They can also serve in important roles in assisting K-12 stakeholders with creating and implementing physical security plans.

Using key concepts and principles from CISA’s K-12 School Security Guide, this new resource assists school-based law enforcement and school resource officers in understanding and applying physical security guidance and best practices as it relates to their role in K-12 communities. The companion product includes examples of how school-based law enforcement and school resource officers can support the five core elements that comprise a school’s physical security system, participate in the school security planning process, and leverage the School Security Assessment Tool to help assess vulnerabilities across a K-12 campus. It also includes a series of next steps and accompanying resources to help school-based law enforcement and school resource officers support physical security planning and improvement initiatives within their K-12 communities.

This new product was developed as a companion to the broader K-12 School Security Guide Product Suite, which provides K-12 districts and campuses with resources, tools and strategies to improve school physical security. Today’s release is the first in a series of school safety companion products that will be developed by CISA over the coming year. These products serve as streamlined and tailored guides for specific stakeholders within the K-12 and school safety communities to help them better understand and act upon key principles and guidance available through CISA’s school safety resources.

Learn more and download the new companion product and access the full K-12 School Security Guide Product Suite at cisa.gov/k-12-school-security-guide-product-suite.

Resources provided by SchoolSafety.Gov

The SchoolSafety.gov Back-to-School Campaign highlights resources and actions to help K-12 schools create and sustain safe and supportive learning environments for students and educators. Amid your back-to-school preparations, consider these five actions you can take today to help prepare for a safe school year.

1. Explore the Back-to-School Reading List to find ten resources that provide insights and guidance on timely school safety issues.
2. Review the Back-to-School Checklist to identify seven actions that can help inform comprehensive and holistic school safety programs.
3. Use the SchoolSafety.gov Safety Readiness Tool to create a customized school safety action plan.
4. Sign up for the School Safety Community Bulletin to receive monthly updates on resources, funding opportunities, news, and events.
5. Connect with SchoolSafety.gov on Facebook and X to learn about timely school safety issues and announcements.

You can also explore more than 650 resources available through SchoolSafety.gov’s Resource Library to help support the safety actions and needs of your K-12 community during the back-to-school season and beyond.

If you are interested in sharing information about the SchoolSafety.gov Back-to-School Campaign and its resources with your K-12 community, you can find ready-to-use social media and website/newsletter content in the Campaign Communications Toolkit. All campaign materials are also available on the campaign webpage.

If you have any questions, please contact us at SchoolSafety@hq.dhs.gov.

Tanya Iacono, DSW, LCSW, Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation

(L-R) Ardian Shajkovci, Ph.D., Co-founder/Director of the ACTRI (American Counterterrorism Targeting & Resilience Institute and Amery Bernhardt, D.M., CEM Director-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation

Speakers from the U.S. Department of Justice United Against Hate (UAH) Program. Federal prosecutors, CT State Police Detective Investigators, FBI and Gabriel I. Lomas, Ph.D., Founder-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, Amery Bernhardt, D.M., CEM Director-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, Robert L. Berry, Chief of Police-WCSU, Speakers from the U.S. Department of Justice and (far Left) Dr. Kimberly Myers, Regional School Safety Coordinator, and Kiley Young, M.S., Regional School Safety Coordinator - CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation

(L-R Back) Kiley Young, LCSW, Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, Sadie Witherspoon, M.S., Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, Marc LaFrance, Supervisory Special Agent, CTM FBI New Haven, BAU and Threat Management Coordinator, Dr. Kimberly Myers, Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, Amery Bernhardt, D.M., CEM Director-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, (Front) Trooper First Class James White, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Statewide D.A.R.E. Coordinator

Michele Gay, M.Ed., Educator and Co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools

(L-R) Kiley Young, LCSW, Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, Sergeant William Chapman, Newtown Police Department, Michele Gay, M.Ed., Educator and Co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, Amery Bernhardt, D.M., CEM Director-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation, Dr. Kimberly Myers, Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation

(L-R) Felipe Reyes, Overdose Prevention Navigator, New Haven Health Department, Captain Daniel Papoosha, Connecticut Statewide Security Risk Group Coordinator, Security Division Dept. of Corrections, Sadie Witherspoon, M.S., Regional School Safety Coordinator-CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation & Participants at the Conference.

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