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May, 2023
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Safety + Mental Health Newsletter for LEAs
May, 2023
Zoom with TxSSC - An Honest Conversation About Student Mental Health with Joshua Wayne + Free Vaping Prevention resources | May 22 | 3-4:30 PM | Register now to secure your spot!
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit including social media content, best practices, and promotional materials. Click Here
Texas School Mental Health Website Click Here & Toolkit
TxSSC Mental Health Resource Toolkit Click Here
(TEA) Tiered Interventions Using Evidence-Based Research (TIER) Resources Click Here
Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for High Schools Click Here
NEW RESOURCE - When the Unthinkable Happens
Senseless tragedies have an impact on each of us, our children, our schools, and our communities. This resource list is intended to provide educators and parents with resources to provide hope and healing to those who have been traumatized. Remain vigilant and supportive. Click Here.
Title IV, Part A Compliance
Use of Funds
The TIVA Allowable Use of Funds Notebook revamps the TIVA FAQ document and focuses on ways that LEAs have used Title IVA funds in the past. We included SNS language to warn that just because the scenario was deemed an allowable use of funds, all decisions depend on each LEAs situation. See Notebook here.
Report Timelines
Guidance found at ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports Resources
Connect 20 (TEA Virtual Training Series)
May and June 2023 - The TEA Federal Program Compliance Division is announcing a series of statewide virtual training opportunities for LEAs, ESCs, and the public related to federal grants administered in the Division. Training will take place in May and June 2023 and there is no cost. Links to Webpage & Registration Flyer
Safety Related Required Submissions
Click Here for more information on the following required submissions:
- SSSP Data Collection - Report to TEA by CAMPUS . TAA released May 4.
- 2020-23 K-12 School Districts Safety Audit Cycle - Report to TxSSC - August 31
- Title VIII, School Choice Option - PR6200
- Gun Free Schools Compliance Report - June 29 - now available under the Compliance Reports tab on eGrants
- School Health Survey - June 2
- Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative (PFAI) Deadline - June 9
- Summer PEIMS Submission - Discipline Codes
- TxSSC EOP Reviews - September 2023
ALERT! Spam Text Message Threat
Released by SST: "Safer Schools Together (SST) has been informed and is aware of a text message circulating containing school shooting threats. The original threat on a Reddit post which was shared by a user from Palm Beach County in Florida around 3:00 p.m. PST on May 4, 2023. The same text message has been circulating and distributed to school districts in Florida and Texas. SST's Threat Analysts are noticing it is beginning to circulate across North America.
Given the mass distribution combined with the signature on the text message - 'Sincerely Devyn' - as well as language used, we are confident this is a spam text message. Our Threat Analysts will continue working closely to address concerns raised and will continue to monitor our email addresses. We have seen a significant increase in the number of ‘Swatting’ Threats directed towards school communities. We discussed swatting and doxing during our February 2023 Current Online Behavioral Trends & Updates Sessions. This sessions was recorded and is available here."
School Safety Information + Safety Grants
Intruder Detection Audits
Intruder Detection Audits will continue through May. Texas School Safety Center will produce a final report with aggregate results in June.
TIVA State Initiative - Safety Grants Website
This website aims to outline safety requirements and associated funds for local educational agencies. LEAs should be aware of federal Supplement, not Supplant issues that may arise when using state funds. See website here.
Texas School Safety Center Annual Conference
June 18-22, 2023 - Register - TxSSC Safety Conference | | "Developing School Safety Leaders"
Texas Stronger Connections Grant Opportunity
Especially Safe: An Inclusive Approach to School Safety Preparedness in Educational Settings
July 27 | 9-12 pm
Join Safe and Sound Schools for a virtual workshop led by Co-founder and Executive Director Michele Gay. This training will explore Safe and Sound School's newest program, Especially Safe: An Inclusive Approach to School Safety Preparedness in Educational Settings. This training is open to public ISDs, open-enrollment charter schools, junior colleges, school-based law enforcement, and state agencies that support Texas schools.
Webinar: The Role of Athletic Directors in School Safety Efforts
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET.
Register on the REMS TA Center Website to participate in the Webinar!
Behavioral Threat Assessment
Training Options
Reminder to replace Team members if you have turnover in your district. See Safe and Supportive School Program Team information and requirements here.
In person training: Contact your regional ESC for in person summer training dates.
Virtual: TxSSC Training June - August: Register
Exploring the powers and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Free Webinar: A discussion on the current challenges causing concern among threat assessment teams. May 23rd, 2023 | Zoom | 10-11 am PCT. Register.
- Understanding deepfakes and how they are created
- How to identify fake or manipulated posts on commonly used social media platforms
- Understanding ChatGPT and how the service is being used by today’s youth
- Snapchat’s new AI bot and potential concerns
- Trends SST Threat analysts are seeing
SWATTING: A Serious Threat to Our Schools and Communities
Article from Crisis Go on the importance of working with first responders to understand what they recommend you do when confronted with a possible SWATTING incident so that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them during these events. Since these can happen at any time, you should be on the phone with them now!
Parent Engagement
Building Protective Factors - Introduction to Parent Cafes Webinar
Texas System of Care is pleased to host a webinar – Introduction to Parent Cafes. Friday, May 19 at 8:30-9:30 AM | Registration Here
Title I - Parent & Family Engagement Statewide Conference
Mental + Behavioral Health
June 14 - Final in TEA's 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Webinar Series
A series of monthly webinars in school mental health topics, substance use/abuse prevention, school and community partnerships, parent engagement, and school safety. Held 2nd Wednesday of each month from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (CST) via Zoom. Register at June 14, 2023 | Topic: Parent and Family Engagement in Mental Health Awareness. To review recordings and shared resources from the previous webinar sessions visit: https://schoolmentalhealthtx.org/webinars/
Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium 2023
June 13-15 |New Braunfels | Registration
AS+K? and CALM Workshop Leader Refreshers will be available to those attending in person.
Email admin@texassuicideprevention.org and we'll help you out!
2:00-3:00 AS+K? Refresh (Classroom) | 3:30-4:30 CALM Refresh (Classroom)
ASCA Suicide Informational Questionnaire Released
Having a caring conversation about Mental Health and Suicide
Talk Away the Dark webpage - Find information on common risk factors and warning signs, and newly designed #RealConvo Guides sharing practical guidance on how to have a caring conversation about mental health and suicide. The webpage, which will be updated throughout the month, will also include blogs and conversation starters allowing people to amplify the campaign and spark conversations of their own. We are excited to share that the PSA will be captioned in Spanish, and translated #RealConvo Guides will also be available on the website.
A Fresh Perspective on Challenging Behavior – Part 1 Constant Curiosity
In the first episode of a three-part series focused on challenging behavior, host Kathy Hart
discusses how to look at behavior through a trauma-informed, resilience-focused lens.
Restorative Discipline
Bullying
New Release - Minimum Standards for Bullying Prevention
TEA has released new mandates for Bullying Prevention. Please see the minimum standards for districts here.
Child Abuse | Human Trafficking | Exploitation
DHS Releases Updated Fact Sheet on Efforts to Combat Child Exploitation and Abuse
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) latest fact sheet details the Department’s efforts, support, and resources in fighting child exploitation and abuse and outlines what you can do in your school and community. Read the full fact sheet here, and find school-specific resources and information to prevent child exploitation on SchoolSafety.gov.
Substance Use
Vaping
The virtual summit will feature fun and interactive conversations and activities led by Say What! Teen Ambassadors as they discuss the physical and mental health effects of using vapes… If you’re a student or work in a school setting, host a watch party in every Home Room, Health, Elective, or P.E. class period on May 17 or any day after until school ends! The summit is timed perfectly for a 45-minute class period….
Website to Help People Find Support for Issues with Mental Health, Drugs, or Alcohol
FindSupport.gov, a new user-friendly website, designed for the general public, to help people identify available resources, explore unbiased information about various treatment options, and learn how to reach out to get the support they need for issues related to mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
School Counselors
The 80% rule!
Updated Scholar Website
Updated Scholar website https://www.txscholar.org/
88th Legislature News
Legal Disclaimer: This information in this newsletter is intended solely to provide general information and guidance and reflects the Title IVA School Safety State Initiative current understanding of the topics and applicable state and federal guidance. The content is subject to change as a result of additional information and guidance provided by state and federal agencies with regulatory oversight. ESCs and LEAs may choose to seek legal counsel regarding the information and guidance.