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Your one-stop solution for all school safety needs.
WINTER NEWS 2024
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Susan Peng-Cowan | Behavioral Health Navigator
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Corina McEntire | Comprehensive School Safety-Public Health Coordinator
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Don Lawry | Threat Assessment Coordinator
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Travis Effinger | Threat Assessment Coordinator
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Looking for training opportunities? Search pdEnroller for Regional School Safety Center Events
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In-person and online training options available now.
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STUDENT THREAT ASSESSMENT
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Upcoming Threat Assessment Training
All administrators, principals, and school counselors are encouraged to attend our upcoming trainings, and any interested school staff are welcome too! Two CEUs are offered for the following events.
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HOSTED BY: ESD 112 Conference Center
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- January 27, 2025
- April 25, 2025
If you would like to schedule a threat assessment training for your district, or even just your building, please contact us. We would love to do that for you! Best practice means at least one member of staff in each building is trained in threat assessment.
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Updated Webpage
The ESD 112 Threat Assessment webpage has been updated! Come check out new resources that have been added to include safe firearm storage, bullying prevention, targeted violence warning signs, and the National Institute of Justice school shooting facts sheet.
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Always Here for You
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If you have a situation in which you are uncertain if a threat assessment is indicated, or you just want to talk through a concern you’re having with a student, we are happy to help you!
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Firearm Detection Canines
The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory in 2024 that firearm violence in America is a public health crisis. Since 2020, firearm-related injury has been the leading cause of death for U.S. children and adolescents ages 1-19. Adding to this issue is the fact that the rate of firearm incidents on school grounds has reached an all-time high. The most recent five school years has unfortunately reflected a substantially higher number of firearm incidents per year than the prior twenty years.
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Not only does firearm violence have an initial profound negative impact on the community, it also has long-term negative effects including elevated stress levels, mental health challenges, and threatening the sense of safety in the entire community. Among many youth, fears and worries regarding school shootings are the unfortunate reality. A nationally representative survey found that half (51%) of 14–17-year-olds in the U.S. worry about school shootings and nearly six in ten report that they “have recently thought about what would happen if a person with a gun entered” their school or a school nearby.
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In order to combat this public health crisis, firearm violence prevention strategies need to be put in place to reduce firearm-related incidents. One such prevention strategy that is proving successful in schools is firearm detection canines. Canines are trained specifically to scent detect firearms/ammunition/magazines that may be present on school grounds. The canines provide a deterring effect and also help alert school staff to potential danger. While these canines have the benefit of providing safety to the school, they can also be dual purposed as emotional-support animals. Therapy dogs have been shown to improve attendance and behavior, calm students, and boost confidence. A single dog can be a win-win for a school providing both safety and therapy to students and staff. For more information on dual-purpose canines, please contact Threat Assessment Coordinator Travis Effinger (travis.effinger@esd112.org).
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SCHOOL SAFETY & PUBLIC HEALTH
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The Standard Reunification Method
In addition to the Standard Response Protocol adoption, schools across our region are adopting the Standard Reunification Method (SRM). Developed by the I love u guys Foundation, the SRM outlines a clear process for how to successfully conduct reunification with students and families after an evacuation. Districts are also formalizing how schools and emergency responders work together within a regional framework. Want to learn more?
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Spark Discovery: National School Psychology Week November 11-15, 2024
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This week celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. School safety teams should include school counselors and other behavioral health professionals in the safety planning process. Learn more with these resources:
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Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents
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ESD 112 is hosting a statewide training offered by the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium. Rural schools, law enforcement, and other emergency responders are often limited in resources. It is imperative that all potentially affected parties collaborate on planning, preparing, communicating, responding, and recovering from a school-based incident. This course is DHS/FEMA-certified and open to all school personnel, first responders, and community stakeholders.
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We are offering naloxone to all public high schools in partnership with DOH.
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Stay up to date on respiratory illness trends
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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR
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Learn more about our Behavioral Health Navigator services on our website.
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Please provide input on WA SEBMH screening survey
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Each Washington state superintendent and principal have been sent a link to a survey from the UW SMART Center to complete to help inform policy and funding action regarding Universal SEBMH screening in our state. Initial findings will be shared with the legislature in early December 2024. Your input is critical – please support this important work by finding and completing your survey no later than Tuesday, November 12. You can find the e-mail by searching for the subject line: “WA Universal Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Screening Survey”
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SMART trainings
- School Mobilization Assistance Response Teams (SMART) is available in all of our districts in our region. SMART responds to schools during a traumatic event that emotionally impacts student and staff. In addition to crisis management services, SMART provides comprehensive training to help prepare your school and staff in the event of a crisis of any magnitude.
- SMART initial and leads training were held in September and November. Let us know if your district needs further training. Another SMART initial training will be held on February 12 at ESD112.
- SMART updates will be held quarterly for those who been trained in the past. They will be held on November 15, 2024, February 7, 2025, and May 2, 2025.
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Consultation re: RCW 28A.320.127:
Development of comprehensive suicide prevention and behavioral health supports for students. Susan Peng-Cowan, the regional Behavioral Health Navigator, is available to assist districts with creating district plans. RCW 28A.320.127 requires all K-12 school districts to adopt a plan to screen, recognize, and respond to indicators of Social Emotional Behavioral Mental Health (SEBMH).
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At a minimum, the plan must address:
- Identification of training opportunities for recognizing, screening, and referring students
- How to utilize district staff trained in recognition, screening, and referral processes
- Guidelines for staff on responding to suspicions, concerns, or warning signs of emotional or behavioral distress in students
- Identification and development of partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) and agencies for student referrals, including establishing at least one memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a CBO
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Susan has collaborated with numerous districts to create these plans or formalize existing procedures into a cohesive strategy. I invite you to schedule a time to discuss developing your district’s SEMBH plan and address any questions you may have. You can use the link below to book an appointment: Behavioral Health Navigator 112 bookings.
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QPR Training for ESAs
District-curated Trainings
For district-specific training, contact Behavioral Health Navigator Susan Peng-Cowan to discuss your district’s needs. The most requested topics include Mental Health Literacy, Suicide Prevention, and MH curriculum training. Customized Mental Health training courses can also be developed.
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Ongoing and self-paced trainings
Asynchronous trainings on school mental health and related topics are available at healtheknowledge.org, a resource connected to the Mental Health Transfer Center.
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- Cultivating compassionate school communities that respond to trauma effectively
- Building capacity of school personnel to promote positive mental health in children and youth (self-paced)
- Classroom WISE: Well-being information and strategies for educators
Mental Health Referral Service - Seattle Children’s
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