This session will highlight the future of Behavioral Threat Assessments for Texas, including the Sentinel BTA Pilot Program launching this year. There will be ample time to address any questions or concerns you may have, ensuring clarity and confidence as TEA moves forward. TEA is committed to listening and learning from stakeholders like you. Your feedback from this session and the pilot program will refine the Sentinel BTA Module to ensure it meets the diverse needs of all LEA’s statewide.

TEA Office of Safety and Security - Presented by Brooks Straub and Paul Smith

**This session requires pre-registration to attend. After registering for the School Safety and Mental Health Summit, email Michelle Hall at michelle.hall@region10.org to reserve your seat in the BTA Engagement Session.

The School Safety and Security team at Region 10 ESC provides superintendents, campus administrators, campus staff, and district law enforcement with relevant training, guidance, information and resources to improve all aspects of school safety and security.

2024-2025 REGION 10 SAFETY AND SECURITY TRAINING CATALOG

• November 14, 2024 - ISD Police Chief and Security Directors Forum - 11:00 am - 1:00 pm - Session #2661471

• September 1, 2024 | All public school districts and charter schools MUST be in compliance with Minimum School Safety Standards.
• June 2, 2025 | Last Day to Amend SAFE Grant (Cycle 2 )
  
• August 31, 2025 | Grant End Date SAFE Grant (Cycle 2 )

Monthly 1-1:45 pm | 4th Thursday (CDT)

Join the meeting

Meeting ID: 283 320 778 806 | Passcode: 3dYqbX

School Safety Partners,

For those that have not received this notification, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies.

Social media-based and other types of anonymous threats of violence against K-12 institutions are common. According to FBI data, schools were the target of more than 6,000 threats in 2022, most of which were anonymous and posted to social media. These threats can erode trust that schools are safe places, contribute to losses in learning and instruction time, overwhelm school and law enforcement resources and have lasting psychological impacts on school communities.

The K-12 Anonymized Threat Response Guidance was developed to provide K-12 stakeholders with information to both protect school communities and limit the disruption and trauma that can be caused by anonymous threats. By providing guidance to inform decision-making about the urgency and credibility of individual threats, school and public safety leaders may be able to more effectively balance the full range of risks faced by K-12 organizations.

The toolkit emphasizes six key strategies for schools to consider when addressing anonymous threats:

• Build awareness about reporting to detect threats early and deter future threats.
• Develop a partnership structure that will help address threats. This includes school administrators, law enforcement personnel and mental health professionals.
• Engage law enforcement to manage threat situations and decide when to scale response actions up or down.
• Balance initial response steps to ensure the campus is safe. Most critically, treat each threat as credible, and from there, work with necessary partners to determine how to approach an immediate response.
• When appropriate, tap into multidisciplinary threat assessment teams to support interventions and expedite response if the subject who made the threat becomes known.
• Take steps throughout the school year to prepare for threats. Establish a response protocol and practice other types of emergency management activities, such as training exercises for staff.

Today’s release also includes a supplemental reference guide that provides streamlined information for K-12 stakeholders to understand and utilize some of the best practices from the full toolkit. Both products were developed to support the diverse range of K-12 school settings across the United States and are based on current practices of K-12 organizations and law enforcement agencies.

The new toolkit and guide were announced at CISA’s 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security, an annual event that brings together K-12 school leaders and practitioners to discuss and share actionable recommendations that enhance safe and supportive learning environments.

To learn more and access the K-12 Anonymized Threat Response Guidance, please visit cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/k-12-anonymized-threat-response-guidance.

Also, if you should ever need anything locally from CISA please do not hesitate to reach out to Josh and myself. Take care.

Respectfully,

Chad Johnston

Protective Security Advisor-North Texas, Region 6

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Cell: (501) 414-1468 |Email: Chad.Johnston@cisa.dhs.gov

For More Information

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Homepage

Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience

Physical Security - Free Tools & Resources

CISA Tools and Resources

Report a Cyber Incident or call 888-282-0870

Report Suspicious Activity in Texas or call 1-844-643-2251

• Make data-based decisions to improve school climate
• Coordinate with other teams that serve the campus to align MTSS processes
• Ensure that team members have completed behavioral threat assessment training
• Determine the training for staff and students on identifying and reporting concerning behaviors
• Review SSSP data from previous years to improve school safety
• Support the School Safety and Security Committee with planning and implementation of the campus multi-hazard emergency operation plan and safety training for school staff

Resources: Safe and Supportive Schools (PDF Excel Spreadsheet)

Questions: Email safeandsupportiveschoolprogram@tea.texas.gov

School Safety Dashboard Release: Sentinel will serve as the data reporting mechanism and repository for all safety and security-related data submitted by school district, open-enrollment charter school, campuses and other entities to TEA. This dashboard will be similar to last year's Intruder Detection Audit (IDA) Dashboard but all-encompassing for school safety. Login credentials are the same as what you used for the IDA Dashboard. Learn more

(Sentinel Update, June 27, 2024)

• AskTED Reminder: 2024-2025 AskTED update with new district/campus personnel for district programs, such as Business Manager, Counselor, Homeless Liaison, etc.
• The TEA Office of School Safety and Security will now be responsible for the Safe & Supportive School Program (SSSP) data collection due in June each year (data previously submitted to TxSSC). The TEA contact is Casey Stump, School Safety Data Analyst (casey.stump@tea.texas.gov).
• The TEA is committed to supporting LEAs in their efforts to improve the safety and security of school facilities. This TAA provides information related to the technology vendor directory referenced in TEC, Section §48.115.
  
• Texas has amended its education rules to require high schools to record student completion of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training on official transcripts. This change goes into effect on August 1, 2024. Previously, only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training was required to be documented. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript)

• Texas has updated its education requirements to include AED (automated external defibrillator) training in addition to CPR for all students in grades 7-12. This change is effective August 1, 2024. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions, §74.38, Requirements for Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Texas has updated its school safety regulations. The new rules, which go into effect on August 11, 2024, are based on recent state legislation (Senate Bill 838 and House Bill 3) and aim to improve security in public schools. Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter CC, Commissioner's Rules Concerning School Facilities, §61.1031, School Safety Requirements

• House Bill 1525, passed in 2021, temporarily required schools to get written parental consent before providing human sexuality instruction to students. This requirement expired on August 1, 2024. However, even without this specific mandate, schools still have the authority to require parental consent for such instruction under existing Texas law. Also, before a student may receive any instruction related to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking a district must obtain written consent from the student’s parent. TAA: Updated Guidance on Parental Opt-In Requirement

• Adopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 61, Commissioner’s Rules Concerning School Facilities | Effective Date: August 11, 2024 | Changes since published as proposed

Inclusive Emergency Planning Strategies and Resources for K-12 Schools

SchoolSafety.gov’s new issue brief highlights elements of effective K-12 emergency planning, including the value of practicing emergency scenarios and planning for individuals with access and functional needs. The brief also includes a listing of resources, trainings, and guides to support schools in creating comprehensive and inclusive emergency operations plans. Download and share this new brief with K-12 school leaders and personnel to help inform emergency planning efforts that may take place over the summer break or during the upcoming school year.

Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment (September 12, November 20) – These virtual training events, hosted by NTAC, will highlight key findings and implications of NTAC’s research on school violence prevention. Attendees will learn about the background, thinking, and behavior of school attackers and how some schools discovered and stopped plots before violence occurred. This training will also provide guidance on how schools may develop or improve existing violence prevention programs utilizing a behavioral threat assessment model.

• • Distribute Safe Firearm Storage Resource letter to parents/guardians.
  • Schedule fall Safety and Security Committee meeting. (SSSC Committee Guidelines)
    
  • Office of School Safety Regional Contact Information

• Technical assistance sessions
• An action plan will be created by Texas School Safety Center, which will be based on the outcomes of the technical assistance session.
• The Texas School Safety Center will issue an action plans to districts one to two weeks after their session. The action plan will support school districts with improving their threat assessment programming.

The Texas School Safety Center developed the Training and Exercise Toolkit to help school districts and open-enrollment charter schools plan for emergencies. The toolkit includes information from multiple organizations and agencies, such as annex and appendix documents, trainings, resources, and tabletop exercises. The Toolkit will be updated with new resources as more research is done.

• Records Transfers - Click Here for TEA TAA| Guidance Video |TXSSC Guidance Checklist
• See TASB Board Policy - FD (Legal) and FDA (Legal)

• District Audit Reports (DAR) | check status on the completion of the 3 year audit. The 3 Year Safety Audit Cycle began September 1, 2023, and ends August 31, 2026.
• TxSSC analyzed the results from the 2020-2023 DAR reports and created a list of recommendations to further help school districts pursue enhancing their safety and security posture. Download the Report.

EOP Training and Exercise Annex Toolkit

• Released March 2024

TAA Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations for Individuals with Disabilities or Impairments

TEC 37.1086 required TEA to create guidelines that LEAs must follow when adopting/implementing their Emergency Operation Plans.

• Compliance required for All Public School Districts - TEC 37.115(b) and Charter Schools - TEC 12.104 (b)(3)(V) MUST be in compliance with the School Safety Standards by September 1, 2024.

• November 6, 2024 | Region 10 ESC School Safety & Mental Health Summit | Richardson

• Live Virtual Presentations on Targeted Violence Prevention | U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC)
• TCOLE #4064 Trainings | Texas School Safety Center School-Based Law Enforcement (SBLE) Training Division | Free In-person and Virtual
  

The North Texas Fusion Center (NTFC) has provided the attached School Safety Bulletin (SSB) in preparation for the upcoming 2024 school year starting in just a couple of weeks. This document outlines the different resources you can expect to receive from the NTFC and also the guidance on reporting a threat within your school utilizing iWatchTexas. SSBs will be distributed to all of our partners in the education community. While the NTFC will provide a draft email (similar to below), you may copy/paste and distribute the SSB at the your discretion.

Topics included in our SSBs include:

o Suspicious Activity Reporting, iWatchTexas, Indicators and Red Flags

o Special Event Safety

o Social Media

§ Popular Applications/Websites

§ Social Media Trends, Challenges, Dangers

§ Online Safety Tips

o Drugs/Alcohol/Vaping

o Campus/Physical Safety

o Benefits of Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams

o Cybersecurity

We appreciate any suggestions from our partners for future SSB subjects.

If you have received this email and have not heard of NTFC’s SLO program or are interested in participating or receiving information relevant to the education sector, please reach out directly to NTFC Deputy Director Lindsey DeBord at ldebord@co.collin.tx.us.

Finally, we know you are headed into a busy season, we are here to support you, and we appreciate what you do to help keep our students safe. If there’s any way we can be of further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you!

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency School Safety Security Taskforce partnered with the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center to develop the K-12 Bystander Reporting Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to help students and community members report safety and wellness concerns in schools. It provides strategies and guidance for K -12 schools and districts to improve safety reporting programs and encourage bystanders to report any issues they witness.

DEA Resource for Parents, Educators, + Caregivers

• Get Smart About Drugs

The TSHAC has updated both the Health Education for All Texas Students K-12 Grade and the Opioid and Substance Use Prevention Resource for Texas Schools documents, which are now posted online. Visit the Research and Recommendations developed by TSHAC and Resources created by TSHAC webpages to view these documents, alongside all other resources developed and updated by TSHAC.

TxSSC Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Toolkit provides a variety of resources for school districts to educate parents and youth focused on the prevention of fentanyl use.

Crime Stoppers Fentanyl webinar information

• Drugs In A Snap: Our 5 Step Fentanyl Poisoning Prevention Plan | Crime Stoppers Of Houston (crime-stoppers.org)
• Crime Stoppers & TEA SAVE Webinar: Fentanyl Poisoning: Stories of the Lives Lost

Naloxone Texas

Naloxone Texas is a statewide initiative that aims to end the state’s overdose epidemic through medication distribution, public awareness, and workforce empowerment. To access virtual, on-demand, training in evidenced-based strategies for overdose reversal and prevention, visit the training webpage. For questions, please email naloxonetexas@uthscsa.edu.

Free Narcan Order Form: https://naloxonetexas.com/

One Pill Kills Campaign

Texas Health and Human Services Commission shares ample information on Fentanyl and the One Pill Kills Campaign teaching about how to stay away from Fentanyl and drugs. Teachers, staff, and parents can find more information on the campaign webpage.

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Vape-Free Future: Tools and Support for Young People (Truth Initiative)

Truth Initiative, Kaiser Permanente, and the American Heart Association have teamed up to create a free online program designed to prevent vaping among students called Vaping: Know the Truth. Learn more about the program and download the course overview on the curriculum webpage.

Young adults will learn tips to start their own conversations and spot the signs that a friend may be struggling. Watch them on Instagram. To learn more, you can also read AFSP’s news release.

Suicide Safer Schools Roadmap

• Overview Document (click image)
• The Roadmap
• One District's Comprehensive Plan Template

TEA's Mental Health Resources

General School Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Resources Database

Mental Health Best Practice Repository

Proposed Commissioner of Education Rules

House Bill 3 - Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 153, School District Personnel, Subchapter BB, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Professional Development, §153.1015, Mental Health Training | The proposed new rule would implement the mental health training requirement established by House Bill 3, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

• Public Comment Period: July 19, 2024-August 19, 2024.
• Proposed Effective Date: November 5, 2024

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and accompanying Federal Action Plan. The National Strategy outlines concrete recommendations that seek to prevent suicide risk; identify and support people with increased risk through treatment and crisis intervention; prevent reattempts; promote long-term recovery; and support survivors. Suicide is an urgent and growing public health crisis, particularly among youth. In 2021, 22 percent of high school students seriously considered suicide, with nearly 1 in 10 having attempted suicide.

Bullying

• Anti-Bullying Prevention Initiative that Works!
• New TxSSC Video
• • A Guide to Preventing Bullying - TxSSC has created three new student videos (K-2, 3-5, 6-12) to serve as a resource for school districts to use to teach students about bullying. These videos are meant to be used in an educational setting, facilitated by a campus or district staff member. These videos can be used to meet Standard 1 of TEA's Minimum Standards of Bullying Prevention.
  • Helping Kids Thrive, Even in Difficult Times - TxSSC has created a video featuring Joshua Wayne, a counselor with 20+ years of experience, who shares stories, advice, and wisdom to help adults build powerful relationships with young people to become resilient even during the most challenging times.

Know2Protect: Together we can stop online child exploitation

Texas Advancing Suicide SAFER Schools Roadmap

(Clickable Link Below)

• Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Model | CDC Healthy Schools
  

Re-Entry Plans and the Law for school districts that have students returning to campus after hospitalizations or suicide attempts. More information TEC 38.351(i)(5)(A-B) and FFEB legal and local policy.

Suicide Care Texas Toolkit

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health have updated their mental health toolkit. The updates include increased guidance on best practices, practical guidance on implementing the elements of Zero Suicide, and examples from organizations on their implementation plans utilizing this framework. To view the full update, visit the Suicide Care in Texas Toolkit. To view additional resources, visit the resources webpage and scroll to the bottom for downloadable documents.

• TEA Supportive Schools Division and Project AWARE monthly webinars
• Elevating Mental Health & Wellness- May 9th, 2024
• Supporting the Mental Health of Special Populations- June 13th, 2024

• TEA General School Mental Health Resources
• TEA Mental Health Resources Database
• TEA Mental Health Best Practice Registry
• TIVA School Safety State Initiative Mental Health & Safety Resources

• The REMS TA Center’s Emergency “Go-Kits” for K-12 Schools fact sheet
  
• Bomb Threat Checklist
  
• Fentanyl and Opioids: Preventing Overdoses and Related Emergencies at K-12 and Higher Education Campuses
  
• School EOPs In-Depth: Planning for Large Events
  
• Preventing and Responding to Bias and Hate Incidents in K-12 Educational Settings: A Toolkit for School and Community Leaders

SchoolSafety.gov launched its 2024 Back-to-School Campaign, a month-long initiative that highlights resources and guidance K-12 school leaders, educators, staff, and parents and caregivers can use to help prepare for a safe return to school.

• SchoolSafety.gov Back-to-School Checklist
  
• SchoolSafety.gov Back-to-School Reading List
  
• SchoolSafety.gov’s new Facebook page

Nemours KidsHealth provides online safety tools for parents, guardians, and families. This resource is also available in Spanish.

Crime Stoppers team is dedicated to providing free, relevant, and engaging crime prevention programming across the state. View the updated Statewide Menu of Services including these new topics: Fentanyl Awareness; Substance Abuse Prevention; Mental Health; and Prom Safety.

Strengthen Communication Between Schools and Local Law Enforcement

This free resource is designed to help strengthen communication between schools and law enforcement. Watch the recording and learn more about this combined effort from Education Service Center 11, Minaret Foundation, and Crime Stoppers.

These templates are provided as samples only. Districts should contact their legal counsel to determine if this meets their district needs.

REMS are designed to reinforce behaviors and actions that support safe schools.

• Visit the REMS TA Center Calendar to find trainings, web chats, conferences, and other stakeholder activities and events on comprehensive school safety topics for K-12 and higher ed practitioners. All events featured are FREE to participate.
• Parent-School Partnerships: Encourage effective communication between parents and guardians, teachers, and school administrators to contribute to school safety programs.
• Timeless School Safety Strategies Fact Sheet
• Adult Sexual Misconduct in Schools
• More Safety Resources