This Week in School and Campus Safety

Good morning,

This Weekly Update by the Illinois School and Campus Safety Program links to suicide prevention resources in honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, shares information on the upcoming IJOA free training day and 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

National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. The Illinois School and Campus Safety Resource Center has K-12 and Higher Ed pages of resources on suicide prevention.

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.

Effective Communication Principles Before, During, and After Critical Incidents on October 15th in Charleston

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of Effective Communication Principles Before, During, and After Critical Incidents class will be held on October 15th in Charleston, IL.

This training provides attendees comprehensive education on the subject of communications. Throughout the training, attendees will learn about the importance of building relationships with the media and the community through routine communications. The training will also provide guidance on how to prepare for a crisis communications event and what to do should that day happen. Finally, instruction will wrap up with discussion on how to effectively communicate after a critical incident.

 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 will be held 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.

Advanced Digital Threat Assessment® on November 10th via Zoom

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Advanced Digital Threat Assessment® class will be held on November 10th via Zoom.

Building upon the Digital Threat Assessment® class by Safer Schools Together, Advanced Digital Threat Assessment® advances participants' understanding of finding and curating relevant digital information consistent with real-life digital threat assessment data gathering scenarios. Significant engagement and hands-on practice will take place. 

For more information and to register, click here.

Campus Threat Assessment and Management Nov. 30th-Dec. 1st in Lake Forest

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Campus Threat Assessment and Management class will be held Nov. 30th-Dec. 1st in Lake Forest, IL.

This two-day workshop for institutions of higher education will help participants to better understand the dynamics of targeted violence and to develop and enhance strategies for early identification, assessment, and intervention with concerning situations.

For more information and to register, click here.

Trauma-Informed Safe and Caring School Communities on December 9th via Zoom

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program is pleased to announce a session of the Trauma-Informed Safe and Caring School Communities class will be held on December 9th via Zoom.

Trauma-informed practices help create environments where the brain is able to learn rather than existing in a state of hyperarousal. By understanding trauma and its effects, school staff can respond to challenging behavior in a way that supports the students, families, and staff alike.

 For more information and to register, click here.

Registration closed for a class you are interested in?

Contact le-black@wiu.edu about waiting list options!

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.

Illinois Juvenile Officer's Association Free Training on Oct. 12th, 2026

The Illinois Juvenile Officer's Association is holding a free training day on October 12th in Bartlett, IL. Training sessions include Partnering with the Children's Advocacy Center: A Guide for Juvenile Officers, Juvenile Probation and Community Resources, and Emerging Unregulated Substances and Trends on Overdose Deaths.