Safe and Sound Schools

10/30/2026

School safety is about more than emergency plans and procedures. It's also about the relationships, preparation, and everyday decisions that help school communities feel supported and ready to respond when challenges arise. From building connections with students to practicing emergency procedures to strengthening partnerships across disciplines, there are many ways this work takes shape.

What's one practice, partnership, or lesson that has made a difference in your school community?

Share in the comments. Your experience might offer another school community an idea they can put into practice.

10/29/2026

School safety is complex, and the work is always evolving. Continued learning helps professionals strengthen their knowledge, exchange ideas, and bring new perspectives back to their school communities. That's why we're thrilled to share two upcoming opportunities to connect with colleagues and continue that work:

National School Safety and Security Summit
December 3–5, 2026 | Phoenix, Arizona
https://nasro.org/digital-safety-and-security-summit/

Prevent Conference
January 6–8, 2027 | Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas
https://safeandsound.swoogo.com/Prevent-Conference-Advancing-BTAM-For-K12-Schools

Whether you're looking to strengthen emergency preparedness, explore advanced concepts in behavioral threat assessment and management, or connect with professionals across disciplines, these events offer opportunities to deepen your learning. Explore upcoming events and find the right opportunity for you: https://www.safeandsoundschools.org/road-to-prevent

10/28/2026

Halloween may feel different this year — and that’s okay. If your kids are still feeling the impact of violence that impacted your community, small changes to traditions can help them feel safer and more in control.

10/28/2026

Behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) is an important part of a comprehensive approach to school safety, but requirements, guidance, and available resources can vary from state to state. Our new BTAM State-by-State Resource brings together information to help school safety professionals, educators, and community partners better understand the landscape in their state and identify relevant resources as they strengthen their practices.

Whether you're building a new process or reviewing the work already happening in your school or district, this resource is a starting point for informed conversations and continued learning.

Explore the resource:

This state-by-state landscape highlights where behavioral threat assessment is required, supported through regulation, or addressed through guidance and best practices.

10/27/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Deputy Chief D.J. Schoeff to the Safe and Sound Schools Speakers Bureau!

D.J. brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement, school safety, and leadership, along with a deep commitment to helping communities create safer schools. We’re excited to welcome him into our network of experts and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make as he partners with school communities and organizations across the country.

Join us in welcoming D.J.!

Learn more about him and this exciting announcement: https://www.safeandsoundschools.org/post/welcome-dj-schoeff

10/27/2026

We’re thrilled that hundreds of school and safety leaders from across the country have joined us for BTAM Foundations over the past two weeks! We’re so close to our goal of representing all 50 states, with just six states to go!

Help us get there! Tag a friend or colleague in:
▫️ Iowa
▫️ Montana
▫️ Nevada
▫️ New Hampshire
▫️ South Dakota
▫️ Wyoming

With more than a dozen training modules led by industry leaders and experts, this free virtual summit offers practical insights and strategies to strengthen school safety.

Know someone in one of these states? Help us spread the word!

Register today at no cost: https://safeandsound.swoogo.com/BTAM-Foundations-Threat-Assessment-Training-Virtual-Summit

10/26/2026

BTAM Foundations: There's still time to learn!

Behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) is an important part of a comprehensive approach to school safety. Building a strong foundation starts with understanding the process, the people involved, and the role each of us can play in supporting safe school communities.

Our free BTAM Foundations Virtual Summit is available through October 31, giving educators, school leaders, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and community partners more time to learn at their own pace.

If you haven't had a chance to participate, there's still time to join us. Register and access the virtual learning library before October 31: https://safeandsound.swoogo.com/BTAM-Foundations-Threat-Assessment-Training-Virtual-Summit

10/23/2026

What does effective Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) look like in action? Our latest blog explores how early identification, collaboration, and timely intervention can help prevent violence and support students.

Want to strengthen your BTAM knowledge? Access to our free BTAM Foundations virtual summit has been extended through October 31! Register today to learn from school safety experts and explore practical strategies for your work.

Read the blog and register here:

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) provides a framework for recognizing, assessing, and managing concerning behavior. When schools and law enforcement have established reporting pathways and multidisciplinary teams that work together, preventing violence is more likely.

10/22/2026

This week we launched BTAM Foundations, a free virtual training series featuring leading experts in behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) and school safety. Our goal? To see all 50 states represented!

If your state isn’t on the map yet, help lead the way. Register, share this free resource with your network, and help more school communities access the knowledge and tools they need to support prevention.

Have you been tuning in this week? Sound off in the comments and tag a colleague who could benefit from this free training opportunity!

Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time! We’re extending access to the BTAM Foundations training library through the end of October so more school communities can benefit from these resources beyond Safe Schools Week.

Register today: https://safeandsound.swoogo.com/BTAM-Foundations-Threat-Assessment-Training-Virtual-Summit

10/21/2026

What happens when a school identifies a concern? And how can teams intervene before it escalates?

Explore five episodes of The Sound Off on School Safety featuring Michele Gay and leading experts on recognizing warning signs, strengthening team collaboration, and connecting students with meaningful support.

Read the blog and find your next listen: https://www.safeandsoundschools.org/post/threat-assessment-podcasts

If you're looking to deepen your understanding of threat assessment in schools, these five episodes of The Sound Off on School Safety are an excellent place to start.