|
|
|
Your one-stop solution for all school safety needs.
Winter NEWS 2025-2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Susan Peng-Cowan | Behavioral Health Navigator
|
|
|
|
|
Corina McEntire | Comprehensive School Safety-Public Health Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Don Lawry | Threat Assessment Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Travis Effinger | Threat Assessment Coordinator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you in search of training opportunities? Check out pdEnroller for Regional School Safety Center Events
|
|
In-person and online training options are available now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your Regional Partner in
School Safety and Wellness
|
The Regional School Safety Center (RSSC) was established in response to state legislation aimed at improving both mental health systems and physical security in schools. As one of nine centers across Washington, ESD112’s center serves as a regional hub for prevention, intervention, and coordination — helping schools prepare for emergencies, respond to threats, prevent and address suicide, and promote positive school climates.
|
|
Our RSSC team is led by a team of educators, mental health professionals, and safety experts with deep experience in school systems, counseling, and crisis response. We work closely with school districts, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), statewide safety partners, law enforcement, and community mental health providers to create safe, supportive environments for students and staff. Below please read about each of our programs.
|
|
|
|
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR
|
|
|
|
|
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
|
|
NEW! SWACH Training Grant
|
Opportunity for educators in Skamania, Klickitat, or the rural communities of Clark County. If your district is in need of funding or educator contract hours for a training in the area of Mental Health or Social Emotional Learning, please contact our BHN for potential funding opportunities for rural areas. This can include current trainings you are considering or new ones. Contact Susan.peng-cowan@esd112.org
|
|
|
|
High Leverage Practices in Social Emotional Learning 2025-2026
|
NEW! An online, asynchronous option is now available on Canvas – 6 clock hours available
|
In September, we hosted a live, 3-part professional learning series which explored high leverage practices that build resilience. Resources and tools to support educators in working with their students were discussed and shared.
|
By the end of the series, participants were equipped with a variety of tools and interconnected strategies that support a resilient, inclusive classroom and school community.
|
Register here for this unique opportunity. Course is provided free of charge for those school staff in the ESD112 region.
|
|
|
|
Well-Being & SEL School-Based Network Launch
|
|
Calling all educators working in K-12 SEL roles! Join the launch of the Well-Being and SEL network.
|
|
|
|
NEW! Educator training: Ready-to-Use School Curricula: Mental Health, Substance Use Prevention, and Opioid Education
|
|
We hosted a virtual training for educators in ESD112 region – if you missed it and would like more resources, please see the resource sheet here
|
|
|
|
QPR Training for ESAs
|
|
|
Suicide prevention trainings are offered regionally for ESAs needing PESB certification
|
Here are the offerings for the 2025-2026 School Year!
|
All courses held 9am-12noon
|
|
|
|
|
|
SMART
|
School Mobilization Assistance Response Teams (SMART) are available in all our districts in our region. SMART responds to schools during a traumatic event that emotionally impacts students 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.
|
|
|
|
Save the date! We will hold the SMART “Leads” training for the 2025–2026 school year on November 21 for designated district leads. Register here - free for Clark County and Woodland schools, please contact susan.peng-cowan@esd112.org if your district needs support to attend.
|
|
SMART “updates” for existing members will be held on 2/6/26 (virtual) and 6/5/26 (in person). Registration coming soon for updates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BHN CONSULTATION re: RCW 28A.320.127:
|
Development of comprehensive suicide prevention and behavioral health supports for students. Your 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).
|
Our BHN has collaborated with numerous districts to create these plans or formalize existing procedures into a cohesive strategy. We 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 following link to book an appointment: Behavioral Health Navigator 112 bookings
|
|
|
|
NAMI SW resources
|
The following are presentations that NAMI can present to your schools.
|
- Ending the Silence (ETS) - 50-minute presentation intended for students, but can be given to school staff and parents as requested. The presentation offers an introduction to mental health topics, suicide prevention, and resources. The last portion of the presentation features a Young Adult speaker who tells their personal story of mental health recovery.
- YouTalk Washington – NAMI is our new website and social media page that does outreach for students whose parents or siblings live with a mental health condition.
- CALM presentation and Stigma Free are for adults, and can be adapted for school staff and parents as needed. Both are intended mostly for workplaces and adults, CALM being a de-escalation training should a member for staff working with customers or the public enter your place of business and is experiencing a mental health crisis, and Stigma-Free being about workplace mental health support and working with HR teams to help employees understand their EAP benefits or other offerings.
|
NAMI SW is having an Open House coming up on December 11th from 12-3, see website for details: https://namiswwa.org/
|
|
|
|
NALOXONE ACCESS
|
Naloxone (Narcan) is a fast-acting, easy-to-use medicine that can reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl, and save lives. View our PDF on accessing and using Naloxone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STUDENT THREAT ASSESSMENT
|
|
Register now for upcoming in-person threat assessment trainings: 1/26/26 or 4/17/26 from 8:30–11:30 am at the ESD 112 conference center. Also, online threat assessment training dates include: 4/6/26 from 8:30–11:30 am. All administrators, principals, and school counselors are encouraged to attend, and any interested school staff are welcome too! Three CEUs are offered. You can find the trainings at RSSC - PD Enroller.
|
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 staff member in each building is trained in threat assessment. Remember, level 1 threat assessment forms are only to be used by those who have been formally trained in the SK Cascade Threat Assessment model. 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!
|
|
|
|
News to Know
|
|
|
Safety Dog Pilot Program
|
|
Kelso School District has partnered with Charon K9 Solutions introducing a Safety Dog Pilot Program for the 2025-26 school year. Charon K9 is dedicated to enhancing school safety through innovative canine detection methods. The Safety Dog Program aims to create a secure learning environment by preventing firearms and contraband from entering school campuses.
|
|
|
|
|
The program includes options for dual-purpose and single-purpose safety canines. Dual-purpose canines are certified in both firearm and narcotics detection. Single-purpose canines are certified solely in firearm detection. In addition, all canines can be certified as therapy dogs. When not engaged in active detection duties, students can have scheduled access to interact with the therapy dog promoting mental well-being and comfort in the school environment. The Safety Dog Program offers a comprehensive solution to deter firearms and contraband ensuring the health, safety, and academic success of all students. Charon K9 is offering a free 1-month/4-search pilot program to districts interested in exploring this safety solution.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Protocol Updates
|
|
John Van Dreal, the developer of the SK Cascade Threat Assessment model, has joined with the Public Consulting Group, and recently revised the preventive behavioral threat assessment and management level 1 protocol, the level 1 ancillary documents, and the level 2 Investigation. The new edition has been informed by the feedback of leaders and practitioners in education and youth serving organizations, vetted by experts in the field, then configured into a more visually pleasant and user-friendly template. The new forms will take a few months to acquire and implement. Expect to see them rolling out in early 2026.
|
|
|
|
COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY
|
|
OSPI Comprehensive School Safety Plan Reporting
Beginning November 3, 2025, school districts will be required to report on the implementation of their Safe School Plans in accordance with RCW 28A.320.125. District superintendents will receive an email containing a link to the online reporting form, which should be completed by the staff member most knowledgeable about the district’s safety planning and procedures. Submissions are due no later than December 5, 2025.
|
|
This marks OSPI’s second statewide collection of data on Safe School Plan implementation, following the first collection period held between March 2022 and February 2023.
|
|
What are the requirements of a Safe School Plan?
|
View our new infographic to make sure your Safe School Plan meets these standards:
|
|
After School Special: School Safety Webinar Series
|
|
|
This *new* webinar series is designed to deliver relevant and top-of-mind safety training in partnership with experts from the field.
|
- Nov 19: Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events with Sgt. Rick Lagerquist, Vancouver Police Department
- Dec 3: Lockdown Drills: Safe and Effective Practices with Shane Gardner, Evergreen Public Schools
- Dec 10: Internet Safety for Students with Julie Peay, Homeland Security Investigations
- Jan 7: Sex Trafficking Education and the YES! Project with Nikki Van Wagner and Laurie Dils, OSPI
- Jan 28: You Don’t Need to Fly the Coop When Writing Your COOP with Anna Piasecki, CRESA
|
|
|
|
Click the link below to find registration and class details:
|
|
Monthly SRP+SRM User’s Group Meeting Series
|
|
|
Whether you are new or seasoned - this regional school User's Group is for everyone! Hear important updates, learn about what others are doing, and ask your burning questions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
