April 2025 Newsletter

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



Dear School Safety Partners,

I hope this message finds you well as we transition into Spring. We are excited to share the preliminary findings from our Armed Security Officer (ASO) study, as well as key insights from our Artificial Intelligence and School Safety Conference. You can find these findings in this issue of our newsletter.

Additionally, we will be coordinating working groups focused on AI and school safety. If you are interested in participating, please email me (Bernhardta@wcsu.edu), we would love to have your input as we explore these critical topics.

Thank you for your continued dedication to keeping our schools safe.

Kind regards,

Your partner in school safety,

Amery Bernhardt, D.M.

Director

CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation

Preliminary Findings from our Armed Security Officers (ASO) Study

This preliminary report provides a snapshot of the data collected on ASO training needs. Given the relevance of the topic in the current legislative session, the research team released these early findings to help inform school communities and state leadership. A forthcoming comprehensive report will provide a deeper analysis of the data.

The initial analysis identified 24 training categories. Table 1 provides an overview of the top 10 categories, organized into three sections. Each category includes its frequency and the average rating score provided by survey participants.

• Top 10 by Frequency: Categories are ranked in descending order based on how often they were mentioned.
• Top 10 by Score: Categories are ranked by their average rating score.
• Top 10 Overlap – Frequency & Score: This section combines frequency and score to highlight the most well-rounded priorities. The top 16 categories (by frequency) were first identified, then ranked by score, with the top 10 listed in this section.

The initial findings provide valuable insight into what the school community values in ASO training requirements. Based on frequency, the top 10 training categories are led by active shooter training, de-escalation training, and legal updates. However, when considering participant ratings, Trusted Adult/Mentoring emerges as an especially valuable topic to survey participants.

A combined analysis of frequency and rating scores reveals a well-rounded set of training priorities that could enhance the ASO’s impact in schools. The top five overlapping categories include Trusted Adult/Mentoring, Threat Recognition, De-escalation, Active Shooter Training, and Emergency Procedures. Notably, while Active Shooter Training and De-escalation—both reactionary skills—were the most frequently mentioned, participants assigned the highest value (by score) to Trusted Adult/Mentoring and Threat Recognition. This suggests a strong preference for proactive and relationship-based approaches across different regional and community classifications.

Inaugural AI and School Safety Conference

Our preliminary report compiled by ThoughtExchange provides an initial overview of our findings, summarized using the artificial intelligence features of the platform. To access the full report, please click here. A more comprehensive and detailed report will be released in the near future, offering deeper insights and further analysis.

To our Sponsors:

Your generous support allowed us to create a memorable experience and provide valuable resources to help us host this event. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. 



www.clpsconsultants.com

www.raptortech.com

www.YCEI.org

www.flocksafety.com

www.saferschoolstogether.com

www.zeal-ed.com

www.novusinsight.com

www.thoughtexchange.com

www.zeroeyes.com

To our Participants:

Thank you for your enthusiastic participation and dedication. Your presence and contributions made the event truly special, and we appreciate your time and effort. We hope you enjoyed the event and found it valuable.

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.

• When:  4/8/25 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
• 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 pm - 2:00 pm (6/10/25, 8/12/25)

Region 2 Suicide Advisory Board (R2SAB) - Alliance for Prevention & Wellness / A Program of BHcare includes representatives from healthcare, local prevention councils, prevention professionals, school social workers, and individuals with lived experience, including suicide attempt and loss survivors. Our goal is to integrate and coordinate prevention, intervention, and response activities across multiple sectors and settings to reduce non-fatal suicide attempts and suicide in CT. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of the statewide CT Suicide Advisory Board and establishes local and regional frameworks to facilitate these activities.

• When:  4/8/25 from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
• Where: Meridan Public Library, 105 Miller St., Meriden, CT
• RSVP at Link
• Who Should Attend: Meetings are open to all and 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, MS, at Tgainey@bhcare.org.

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:   6/10/25 from 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
• 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 pm - 4:00 pm (March - no meeting to celebrate PGAM, 6/10/25)

DEMHS Region 2 School Safety & Security Group Meeting 

• When:  4/30/25 from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Where: Virtually via Google Meets
• Who Should Attend: If you have any interest in joining the group, please email Jeff Nielsen at Jnielsen@milforded.org to be added to the group's distribution list. In addition to meetings, school safety and security-related content is forwarded to the membership. Please share my contact information with you school security partners to expand our membership.

DEMHS Region 3 Capitol Emergency Management Meeting

• When: TBD
• Where: In-Person at the West Hartford Town Hall, 4th Floor
• 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. Please save the dates for future Capitol Emergency Management Meetings. All meetings will be held in-person from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

DEMHS Region 4 School Safety Sub-Committee and Reunification Planning Group will immediately follow regular meeting

• When: 4/10/25 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
• 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 am - 11:00 am and will be Hybrid on Zoom and In-Person.

Western Regional Crisis Team Meetings (Covering the RESC Regions of EdAdvance & CES)

• When: 4/29/25 from 8:30 am - 10:30 am
• Where:  Virtually
• Topic/Presenter: At this meeting, Dr. Daniel Rector, D.M., C.E.M, Certified Emergency Manager and Homeland Security and Emergency Consultant, with Zeal Education Group, will be presenting on reunification after a crisis.
• 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: 5/13/25, 6/3/25 - Planning Meeting.

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

• When: 4/24/25 from 9:30 am - 11:00 am
• Where: Virtually
• Topic/Presenter: At this meeting, our speaker, Victoria Adams, M.Ed., CPAHA-Tobacco Treatment Tobacco Program Coordinator from Health and Human Services at Southern Connecticut State University will bring us information on Youth Vaping. This is a requested topic that districts have many concerns about, so please bring your questions and any experiences that you would like to share.
• 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: 5/15/25, 6/12/25 - Planning Meeting.

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

• When: 3/12/25 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
• Where: Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 870 9664 2732, Passcode: 856200
• Topic/Presenter: At this meeting, Dr. Diana Perry, Regional Trauma Coordinator with CREC, will take about 30 minutes to go over a few tools that can be used to explore neurodiverse students, or students with active stress responses, through a trauma-informed lens. When working with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and neurodiversity's, well-intentioned adults may inadvertently overlook or misunderstand their unique strengths and challenges, potentially perpetuating inequitable outcomes or social dynamics. While these tools may not solve the problem, they may be useful in exploring difficult moments and identifying appropriate interventions. 
• For more information or to join the Team: please email Kimberly Myers at Myersk@wcsu.edu.

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: 4/9/25 from 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Where: Virtually on Zoom
• 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: 5/14/25, and a brief planning meeting in June TBD.

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: 4/9/25 from 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Where: Virtually on Zoom
• 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: 5/14/25, and a brief planning meeting in June TBD.

April 4 | Beyond Compliance Series: Beyond the Physical Walls: Recognizing, Responding, & Creating Psychological Safety in Schools - This Virtual Training is provided by  Dana M. Bossio, (bio) Regional Trauma Coordinator & School Psychologist, Behavioral Psychology & External Professional Development, Cooperative Educational Services (CES). Held from 10 AM – 11:30 AM EDT. This training is intended to build awareness and support individuals in any role in recognizing and responding to individuals who have been exposed to adversity and trauma. Discussions will center on the repercussions of trauma and toxic stress on neurological development, and the results implications for self-regulation, relationship development, and learning. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of a trauma-informed care framework (e.g., the 4 Rs and 6 principles of trauma-informed organizations), and how it can be applied to developing psychologically safe practices in schools. Participants will reflect on traditional practices targeting physical safety in schools (e.g., active supervision, predictability and routines, discipline, fire drills, lockdowns), and identify trauma-informed practices to support feelings of psychological safety for all stakeholders in schools.

Intended Audience: This training is appropriate for anyone involved in school safety including but not limited to educators, school and district administrators, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, security, facility managers, and school resource officers.

Cost: FREE! Extended Registration Deadline is April 2, 2025

May 9 | Beyond Compliance Series: Taking Fear Out of School Threats - This Virtual Training is provided by Scott Appleby, CEM, Director of the Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security/Emergency Communications, City of Bridgeport. Scheduled from 10 AM – 11:30 AM EDT. Various threats can impact our schools daily which can cause chaos, fear, and anxiety. This training is designed to assist school staff and administration on how to slow things down, assess the information, and make good decisions.

Intended Audience: This training is appropriate for anyone involved in school safety including but not limited to educators, school and district administrators, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, security, facility managers, and school resource officers.

Cost: FREE! Registration Deadline is April 28, 2025

May 20 | Beyond Compliance Series: Pilot Training on the Electronic and Telephonic Threat Intake Form - This Virtual Training is provided by the CT Center for School Safety Staff. Scheduled from 10 AM – 11:30 AM EDT. We are excited to announce a pilot training session on the Electronic and Telephonic Threat Intake Form. This session is highly recommended for all administrative and front-line staff, including those who answer phones and receive emails within the school district.

What You'll Learn:

• Understand the structure and components of the Electronic and Telephonic Threat Intake Form.
• Learn how to accurately document threats received via phone, email, and online platforms.
• Develop best practices for capturing critical threat details, including caller information, exact language, and identifying factors. 
• Discuss real-life scenarios and learn how to respond appropriately to different types of threat reports.

Intended Audience:  

This pilot training is recommended for: 

• School administrators
• Front office and reception staff
• Anyone responsible for handling calls or emails regarding potential threats 

Your role is important in ensuring timely and accurate threat assessment and reporting. By participating in this 

pilot session, you will play a key role in shaping future training efforts.

Cost: FREE! Registration Deadline is May 9, 2025

*Continuing Education Credit is available for most of our training courses, please contact the schoolsafetycenter@wcsu.edu for more information.

April 2 | Healthy Teen Relationships: How School-Based Health Center Providers Can Support Students - Hosted by the School-Based Health Alliance The National Voice for School-Based Health Care. Please join the School-Based Health Alliance for a 60-minute webinar focused on how school-based health center (SBHC) providers can promote healthy relationships among their patients. Our colleagues from Futures Without Violence will share findings from a national survey of adolescents on the prevalence and impacts of teen economic abuse, including education interference. They will describe the dynamics of teen economic abuse and offer strategies SBHC providers can use to support their patients.

ALICE Training is a program that teaches proactive options-based strategies that empower individuals to participate in their own survival in the face of violence. ALICE Training is supported by published research, more than 4,200 law enforcement agencies around the country and complies with the standard of care recommended by the Federal Department of Education for schools, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This 2-day course prepares you to teach others to be proactive and increase the survivability of individuals who encounter acts of violence. To learn more please visit www.alicetraining.com. The next training session held in Connecticut is listed below.

April 28 & 29 | ALICE Active Shooter Response Certification Training - Hosted by the Torrington Police Department. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training is the leading program for response to violent critical incidents. This certification is a 2-day train the trainer class on civilian, active shooter response options to enable you to empower others to survive violence. Attendees will range from law enforcement, local school officials, and area businesses leaders. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be a Certified ALICE Instructor and will have the knowledge and resources to train others in your community. This course will be held at the Litchfield County Regional Fire School. to register, please click HERE.

April 16 | Preventing Mass Attacks in Our Communities- Hosted by: The US Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC). In this virtual training event, NTAC researchers offer virtual training presentations on preventing mass attacks in our communities.

Intended Audience: School Administrators, Educators, and other school safety stakeholders. Additional dates include 6/18/25 and 8/20/25.

May 21 | Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment - Hosted by: The US Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC). In this virtual training event, NTAC researchers offer virtual training presentations on Enhancing school safety in our communities.

Intended Audience: school administrators, educators, and other school safety stakeholders

Additional dates include: 7/16/25 and 9/17/25.

May 22 | 2025 Annual CSCA Conference will be held at Trinity College in Hartford. This premier event brings together K-12 grade school counselors from across the state, representing urban, suburban and rural districts. Some of our goals are to share experiences, perspectives, insights, and the latest trends in the counseling and educational related field.

Registration Coming Soon!

For more information click HERE.

Additional Training

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.

Grants

DEMHS is pleased to announce that we have opened the second round of applications for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP).

Applications must be submitted to DEMHS.SLCGP@ct.gov by May 12, 2025.

This is a federal program, administered by DEMHS with partnership and consultation from the Connecticut Cybersecurity Planning Subcommittee, which consists of relevant stakeholders in the cybersecurity discipline, including the state chief information officer, the state chief information security officer, representatives from municipalities and the Regional Emergency Planning Team, institutions of public education, public health representation, and representatives of rural, suburban, and high-population jurisdictions.

The purpose of the program is to provide grants to eligible entities to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems that are owned or operated by, or on behalf of, state, local, and tribal governments. Eligible entities as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the program requirements include:

• A county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments, regional or interstate government entity, or agency or instrumentality of a local government;
• An Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization; and
• A rural community, unincorporated town or village, or other public entity.

The targeted projects for the FY 2023 funds, which has a period of performance end date of 11/30/2027, includes the following:

• End Point Detection and Response (EDR)
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Internal Vulnerability Scanning
• Reconstitution of Backups
• Eliminate Known Fixed Passwords

This program has a cost-share match requirement that changes with each fiscal year. For the current application round (fiscal year 2023 funding), the federal share of any activity cannot exceed 80%. Connecticut has been allocated $5,465,875 in federal funds to allocate to eligible sub-entities and sub-applications.

For application information and a full overview of the program, please visit:



portal.ct.gov/demhs/grants/state-and-local-cybersecurity-grant-program.

Questions about the grant program can be directed to DEMHS.SLCGP@ct.gov

The FBI BAU has released a new PSA on "Violent Online Networks Target Vulnerable and Underage Populations Across the United States and Around the Globe

Resource for your School Safety Annex: "Emergency Action Plan for Athletic Events"

Report shared by the Center for Internet Security CIS

2025 CIS MS-ISAC K-12 Cybersecurity Report: Where Education Meets Community Resilience.

Published on March 6, 2025

The CIS Report "2025 CIS MS-ISAC K-12 Cybersecurity Report: Where Education Meets Community Resilience," shares their analysis of more than 5,000 K-12 organizations between July 2023 and December 2024. It shows that K-12 schools are prime targets of cyber attacks.

Main Findings:

• 82% of reporting K-12 schools experienced cyber threat impacts
• 14,000 security events during the reporting period
• 9,300 confirmed cybersecurity incidents in that same timeframe

Their report also conveys a significant increase in threat actors’ sophistication and timing. We all know that K-12 schools serve as essential community infrastructure, and it appears threat actors have also begun to more heavily exploit this fact, as schools provide not just education but vital services like:

• Nutritional support through breakfast and lunch programs
• Safe spaces for children of working parents
• Mental health and counseling services
• Special education and developmental support
• Community gathering spaces and resources

When cyber attacks disrupt these services, the effects ripple throughout the community. A parent missing work to care for a child during a school closure creates economic impact. A student missing meals due to cafeteria system outages affects their health and ability to learn. The loss of access to counseling services during critical times can have lasting effects on student well-being.

This publication informs K-12 schools of the top threats facing them and how this threat landscape is changing. It also explores how K-12 organizations are responding to these challenges through collaboration, preparation, and a deep understanding that cybersecurity in education is fundamentally about protecting people, not just technology.

Resources shared by Safe and Sound Schools

Especially Safe: An Inclusive Approach to Safety Preparedness in Educational Settings

April is World Autism Month, with World Autism Awareness Day recognized on April 2. We encourage all school safety leaders to learn how you can plan, prepare, teach, and train to meet the special needs of students, staff, and visitors in your school community. From developmental disabilities to communication challenges, medical needs to mobility challenges, and more, Safe and Sound Schools' Especially Safe program can help you create a culture of safety and security for all.

Download for Free

Practical School Safety Solutions to Support Individuals with Special Needs

This World Autism Month, The Sound Off dedicates a special episode to supporting students with autism and other special needs. Join us for a discussion with inspiring advocate Jeff Snyder and Nick Savarise from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation.

Discover strategies for creating sensory-friendly drills, fostering a culture of inclusion, and individualizing safety plans to meet the unique needs of every student. This episode is essential listening for educators, parents, and anyone committed to creating safe and supportive school environments.

Listen to the Full Episode Today

Using Tech for Good: Empowering School Safety with Jake Leichtling

How can technology simplify and supercharge school safety? In this episode of The Sound Off, Michele Gay and Jake Leichtling, Product Director at Verkada, explore the transformative potential of technology to address safety challenges thoughtfully and effectively. Listen to the full episode now to discover practical solutions to cultivating a campus where students and staff feel safe, confident, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Listen Now

Artificial Intelligence & School Safety Conference Sponsors

ThoughtExchange is the leading K-12 survey and engagement platform that enhances and simplifies how education leaders collect and analyze data—from planning and funding to attendance and enrollment. We work with districts of all sizes and partner with both national and state associations to innovate how leaders connect with their communities.

Our AI-powered engagement and data analysis significantly speed up community engagement initiatives and provide better data for leaders to act on. With industry-leading data security, a commitment to student privacy, robust AI governance, and top-tier customer support, we’re the platform education leaders trust most.



Website: www.thoughtexchange.com

Contact: James Haga

Phone: (416) 830-0713

CLPS is a Software as a Service Threat Management Consulting firm. The unique and proprietary Threat Assessment and Management Software Platform (TAMSP) includes features unlike any other solution on the market. Our artificial intelligence solution provides 24/7/365 threat screening of dark and deep websites and open-source social media. AI threat reports are screened by human security analysts from a 24/7 intelligence center, and prioritized based on actual data, to ensure the intelligence provided to end-users is viable and actionable. TAMSP is the only A-Z Hazard and Threat Management Communication Solution.

No other platform offers a single solution that includes emergency planning, reunification, incident command system, training, drilling, safety auditing, compliance tracking, vulnerability surveying, threat assessment, and real-time data analytics. Our proprietary threat assessment feature allows for comprehensive assessments of outsider threats, insider threats, school and workplace threats, community-based threats, and homeland security threats. Our solution allows real-time push-to-talk communication from end-users within private talk groups and immediate threat reporting. The cutting-edge solution integrates video management systems, access control systems, public address systems, automatic locking systems, and digital 3D mapping. The unique TAMSP sets CLPS apart from other products on the market.

Website: www.clpsconsultants.com

Contact: Dr. Matthew Miraglia, Email: Matthew@clpsconsultants.com

Safer Schools Together (SST) specializes in enhancing school safety by providing comprehensive training, services and tools that address both digital and behavioral threats. 

Our expert team works closely with educational institutions, law enforcement, and community partners to develop and implement proactive strategies for violence prevention. SST’s holistic approach ensures that schools are equipped to handle the complexities of modern safety challenges, fostering secure and supportive educational environments.

Website: www.saferschoolstogether.com

Contact: Lauren LaJambe

Phone: (604) 560-2285, Email: Lauren.lajambe@saferschoolstogether.com

ZeroEyes is founded by a team of Navy SEALs and elite technologists with a mission to stop active shootings / gun violence in schools, commercial enterprises and non-profit organizations across the United States.

ZeroEyes is a DHS Safety Act designated AI gun gun detection platform that uses clients' existing digital cameras to detect visible, brandished firearms and dispatch human verified alerts to on-site security and first responders in as-fast-as 3-5 seconds. 

Website: www.zeroeyes.com

Contact: Jonathan Norton

Phone: (860) 575-2998, Email: Jon@zeroeyes.com

The Raptor integrated suite of school safety software and services along with the SchoolPass automated attendance and dismissal products covers the full spectrum of school safety.

Our team of safety software experts and our suite of industry-leading solutions provide schools with confidence in their safety and student wellbeing programs so they can focus on teaching. School safety is a journey, and Raptor’s trusted professionals support customers across all dimensions ensuring

sustainable programs to address today’s challenges and tomorrow’s threats. Driven by our mission to protect every child, every school, every day™, Raptor customers mitigate risks from prevention to preparedness and through reunifying families. Visit raptortech.com to learn why 60,000+ schools globally, including 5,300 U.S. districts trust us for their school safety needs.

Website: www.raptortech.com

Contact: Brittni Tracy

Phone: (931) 338-7630, Email: Brittni.tracy@raptortech.com

To solve and eliminate crime – you need evidence. Protect your community, business or school 24/7 with coverage that never sleeps. Empower your law enforcement agency to prevent and solve crime faster with Flock’s city-wide safety platform.

Website: www.flocksafety.com

Contact: Joe Rosenberg

Phone: (914) 203-3281, Email: Joe.rosenberg@flocksafety.com

Zeal Education Group is a top national consulting firm committed to partnering with schools and districts to solve their most vexing challenges. Our diverse team of over 100 experts—including superintendents, directors, principals, professors, authors, and thought leaders—brings unparalleled expertise across every critical area of education.

From school security, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence to curriculum development, financial audits, special education, family and community engagement, strategic planning, and professional development, Zeal offers comprehensive services designed to ensure students thrive. Whatever the challenge, Zeal delivers customized, results-driven solutions that enable schools and districts to excel.

Website: www.zeal-ed.com

Contact: Dr. Jeff Melendez, CEO

Phone: (203) 885-6011, Email: Jeff@zeal-ed.com

Novus Insight is a technology consulting and advisory services company with headquarters in East Hartford, Connecticut and an office in Jacksonville, Florida at the Jessie Ball duPont Center that serves clients throughout the United States. Starting in 2010, as a part of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), the team that would form Novus Insight worked on technology consulting and advisory services for municipalities, K-12 districts, nonprofits, and libraries. Novus Insight emerged from CCAT in 2018 and continues this mission today as a for-profit company.

Novus Insight’s ongoing efforts include regional initiatives in cloud services, shared technology infrastructure, regional cyber security programs, and community fiber/broadband access initiatives. Today, Novus Insight has approximately 70 staff with deep “hands on” technical experience. A subset of the Novus team are experienced strategic consultants who are trusted to bring solutions to communities who struggle with their technology reliability, usability, sustainability, and security. Our unique partnerships with municipal organizations and state entities foster solutions to some of the biggest challenges around social services, education, and government. These efforts are core to our mission of transforming the organizations that serve our communities through technology.

Website: www.novusinsight.com

Contact: Melanie Harrison

Phone: (860) 282-4917, Email: Mharrison@novusinsight.com

The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence at Yale University conducts research and offers training to help people of all ages develop emotional intelligence. RULER is a research-based professional development offering for educators and a preK-12 curriculum that improves school climate and enhances student and educator performance, engagement, and well-being. 

Website: YCEI.org

Contact: Erin Brough

Phone: (203) 804-1606, Email: Erin.brough@yale.edu

Photos from the Inaugural AI and School Safety Conference

Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT

March 26, 2025

To view more Photos - click here

From all of the interns here at the center, a special thank you to Mary for putting so much great work into the newsletter and our most recent conference!

CONTRIBUTE to our NEWSLETTER

If you have content such as meetings, trainings, resources, and/or research to include in the next issue of our newsletter, please email Mary Pupazzoni at Pupazzonim@wcsu.edu no later than the 15th of the month prior.