Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Safe Schools Start with All of Us.

Interactive learning

2026 Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Our workshops offer interactive, hands-on learning led by experts in education and safety. Participants explore real challenges, share experiences, and take away practical strategies they can apply directly in their schools and communities.

Date

Wednesday, July 8 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

What Schools Need to Know Now: Campus Substance Abuse – 2026 Update

Substance use continues to evolve, and schools are often the first place where its impact is felt. From declining academic performance and rising mental health concerns to increased safety risks, student substance use presents complex challenges that demand informed, proactive leadership.

This timely session equips school administrators and decision-makers with a clear, up-to-date understanding of substance use trends affecting campuses in 2026. Attendees will gain practical insight into the substances (both legal and illegal) most commonly encountered in school settings, how they appear, and the warning signs that may be overlooked.

Beyond awareness, the session focuses on action. Participants will explore how substance use disrupts the learning environment, increases liability and safety concerns, and affects long-term student outcomes. The presentation will also highlight proven prevention and intervention strategies that schools can realistically implement, helping leaders strengthen policies, support staff, and foster safer, healthier school communities.

Designed for administrators who need clarity, confidence, and current information, this session delivers what schools need to know now to stay ahead of emerging risks.

Presenter: Christopher Sanders, ABD, MBA, DRE – Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Wednesday, July 8 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

The Trust Shift

America is experiencing a fundamental trust shift. Confidence in institutions, public servants, and systems designed to keep people safe has declined to historic lows, creating real operational risks—especially in schools. Campuses are no longer static environments; they are complex ecosystems with constant movement of staff, substitutes, volunteers, vendors, parents, and first responders. Yet most schools still rely on visual identification, paper badges, or visitor logs that cannot confirm whether a person is truly authorized to be there at that moment.

In today’s environment, it is no longer sufficient to trust what is presented. A badge, uniform, or driver’s license may confirm identity, but it does not verify role, authorization, employment status, guardianship, or official purpose. This gap exposes schools to safety risks, emergency response failures, and significant liability.

Modern school security must reflect the reality of a zero-trust world—where verification replaces assumption. Real-time confirmation of identity and official capacity allows schools to know, with certainty, who belongs on campus, why they are there, and whether they are currently authorized. This approach strengthens daily operations, improves crisis response and reunification, and visibly restores confidence among parents, educators, and the community.

Verification is not about distrust—it is about accountability, clarity, and protecting what matters most.

Presenter: Murphy Robinson, CEO – SurePass (CO)

Wednesday, July 8 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

“It Won’t Happen to Me “Understanding the Grooming Process

Sex trafficking and sextortion of minors are two of the fastest growing crimes in the world. And yet, EVERYONE thinks it won’t happen to them. During this session, we will examine tactics of how predators, access, groom, recruit and exploit young people. We will explore real cases of how young girls, especially, are targeted for sex trafficking and why and how intervention is so important. We will look at specific cases of financial sextortion of males, and the psychology used by predators that make them vulnerable to blackmail. We will explore how the Dark Net and Bulletproof hosting is used by global pedophiles and where those “nudes” go when a young person is seduced into sending illicit materials online. Most important, we will explore prevention and intervention tactics for parents and educators to keep kids safe from predators.

Presenter: Opal Singleton Hendershot, President & CEO – Million Kids

Wednesday, July 8 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Enhancing School Cybersecurity: Preparing Schools and Districts for Cyber Threats

This session will focus on CISA’s newly released K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Product, which serves as an easy-to-use reference for any K-12 community members looking to strengthen their school’s or district’s cybersecurity postures.

As K-12 schools and school districts continue to adopt advanced technologies that facilitate learning and make schools more efficient and effective, these same technologies have introduced new and heightened risks. Join representatives from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency School Safety Task Force to explore evidence-based practices to address the evolving security risks that K-12 schools face. The presenter will share research-informed strategies and recommendations that enhance safe and supportive learning environments through collaborative, holistic and actionable approaches. This session will focus on the resources and tools that school leaders can use to address systemic cybersecurity risks and strengthen their cyber posture. School leaders, educators, parents, community members, and even students can take steps to strengthen cybersecurity both at home and within schools. The presenters will also provide a collection of resources designed to assist K-12 schools in applying industry-leading best practices, guidance, and free resources designed for K-12 leaders to apply leading cybersecurity standards. These resources aim to help schools and school districts build or mature strong cybersecurity programs by providing cost-effective, practical, and tailorable steps to improve cybersecurity controls and responses. This session is highly interactive, with speakers soliciting input from the audience throughout the discussion.

Presenter: Andrew Dominic, Program Specialist – DHS/CISA School Safety Task Force (VA)

Wednesday, July 8 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Safety Challenges for Muslim Students in Our Schools

As Islamophobia continues to rise nationally and statewide, Muslim students across California report feeling unsafe and unsupported in their school environments. This session would present findings from our 2025 Bullying Report “Invisible Wounds – The Hidden Struggle of Muslim Students in California”, based on quantitative survey data and qualitative narratives collected from Muslim students ages 11–18 across 48 counties in California.

The data reveals that one in two Muslim students experiences bullying at school due to their religious identity. Yet for many students, these experiences go unheard. A staggering 67% of students who were bullied did not report the incidents to their school, pointing to a deep lack of trust in school reporting systems and support structures. Qualitative findings further illuminate the barriers students face when seeking help, including fear of not being taken seriously and experiences of bias from peers—and at times educators and school counselors.

Designed for educators, administrators, and community partners, this session uses data-driven insights to examine how Islamophobia manifests through hate, bias, and discrimination in everyday school settings and why existing reporting and response practices often fall short. Grounded in the report’s findings, participants will leave with practical, evidence-informed strategies to reduce barriers, rebuild trust, and create safer, more inclusive environments for BAMEMSA (Black, African, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian) students. The session will also share training models and resources that support culturally responsive and trauma-informed schools.

Presenter: Bayanne Kanawati, Program Manager – Center for the Prevention of Hate & Bullying

Wednesday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

When Different is Mistaken for Danger: Autism and School Safety

This presentation examines school safety through a disability studies lens, with a particular focus on students with autism, challenging dominant narratives that conflate disability-related behavior with risk or danger. In many school safety frameworks, behaviors associated with autism—such as repetitive movements, atypical communication styles, sensory sensitivities, emotional dysregulation, or social withdrawal—are frequently misinterpreted as warning signs of violence or disruption. Such misinterpretations can lead to unnecessary disciplinary action, exclusion, or even involvement of law enforcement, disproportionately harming autistic students.

The presentation offers practical and ethical guidance for distinguishing between dangerous and benign behavior by emphasizing context, pattern, and intent. Benign behaviors are often self-regulatory responses to sensory overload or stress and tend to be predictable, non-directed, and de-escalatory when properly supported. In contrast, genuinely dangerous behavior is rare, typically involves clear intent to harm others, and cannot be accurately identified through disability markers alone. The session highlights the importance of collaborative assessment involving special educators, disability-affirming mental health professionals, and the students themselves.

Ultimately, this presentation presents a reflection on how school safety can include autistic students rather than positioning some behaviors as threats. By centering disability expertise and lived experience, schools can develop safety practices that reduce harm, prevent misclassification, and foster inclusive environments grounded in care, understanding, and justice.

Presenter: Dr. Gregory Barraza, Executive Director – High School Equivalency Academy

Wednesday, July 8 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Chronic Absenteeism and School Climate Components, Correlations for School Leaders

This research looks at the relationship between student chronic absenteeism and the school climate variables of bullying and school violence. This study used turbulence theory in its approach to examine the correlation between the variables of chronic absenteeism, violence rates, and bullying rates. School violence has a socio-ecological theoretical foundation, and bullying has a theoretical foundation in group socialization theory. This research addressed two research questions. The first was: Is there a statistically significant relationship between violence rates and chronic absenteeism rates in New Jersey public schools? The second was: Is there a statistically significant relationship between bullying rates and chronic absenteeism rates in New Jersey public schools?

To answer these questions, data from the 2018–2019 school year were pulled from the archived New Jersey Department of Education database and analyzed.

Presenter: Dr. Thomas Johnson, Vice Principal – Neptune Middle School (NJ)

Date

Thursday, July 9 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Mental Wealth: Investing in Student Wellness

This session explores how student mental wealth thrives when schools embed the six pillars of comprehensive school safety—school climate, mental health, physical health, law enforcement and safety, emergency operations plans, and policy—creating secure, supportive environments that foster resilience and academic success.

Student mental health is foundational to comprehensive school safety. This session highlights how prioritizing “mental wealth,” a proactive approach to wellness, can transform learning environments and build resilience. Participants will learn strategies for early identification, upstream prevention, and trauma-informed practices that support students before crises occur. The training emphasizes collaborative systems of care and positions schools as wellness hubs for students, families, and staff. By embedding mental and behavioral health into safety frameworks, educators create environments where students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn.

This workshop will also highlight innovative statewide initiatives focused on suicide prevention, sustainability, and comprehensive mental health systems. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to strengthen school safety through mental wellness, improve climate and culture, and build partnerships beyond the classroom. Designed for school leaders, mental health professionals, and educators committed to creating safe, thriving educational communities.

Presenter: Rebecca Astorga, Director School Safety Partnerships and Health Programs – Arizona Department of Education

Thursday, July 9 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Stress, Trauma and Moral Injury. When the Helpers need the Helping

Working in threat assessment is rewarding work but often comes at a cost. Many of our cases and much of our work can involve stress, trauma, and moral Injury. As helpers, we need to understand what affects us and how it affects us so that we can manage the effects appropriately and sustain a healthy personal and professional life.

This presentation will define stress, trauma and moral injury and provide context for why these circumstances manifest because of our work. We will discuss which parts of the brain are impacted, namely the limbic system, and its relation to the symptoms of “not being okay”. We will also discuss what can be done about it and provide some tangible takeaways and interventions that are successful it is mitigating the damage the job can do to us and our relationships.

Presenter: Dr. Cherylynn Lee, Police Psychologist – Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office

Thursday, July 9 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Understanding and Combatting Financial Sextortion: Legal Challenges and Solutions

Sextortion is a threat to share embarrassing or sexual images unless payment is made. Financial sextortion is a new take on this crime where predators engage with a target online, get the target to send sexually explicit photos to them, and then threaten to release the photos to the victim’s family and friends if the victim does not send them money. Sometimes the images are real, but AI deep-fakes make anyone a potential target of online blackmailers. Threats of financial sextortion can inflict serious damage on reputations, mental health and career aspirations of students and staff alike. Do you know what to do if someone in your district is targeted? The presenter will guide you through legal and communication challenges and solutions of this growing problem.

Presenter: Nicole Tucker – Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Thursday, July 9 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

The Prevention & Preparedness Blueprint: Early Warning, Compliance, & Student Support

As youth mental health concerns rise and student behaviors escalate, schools must be prepared to act quickly, consistently, and in compliance with safety requirements. Effective prevention today requires not only early identification and intervention, but also clear protocols, documented processes, and compliant emergency preparedness practices.
This session highlights a streamlined prevention and preparedness framework that enables schools to identify students in crisis early, respond with precision, and maintain compliance with safety mandates including safety plans, drills, safety audits, threat assessment protocols, and documentation before situations escalate.
You’ll learn how to:
-Identify early warning signs and intervene effectively with students in crisis
-Align prevention efforts with compliance requirements for safety planning, drills, and reporting
-Use integrated prevention and threat detection tools to improve response, documentation, and reduce liability
-Implement a whole-child approach that unifies Suicide Awareness & Prevention, Behavioral Threat Assessment, and Universal Student Support

This session is ideal for school and district leaders seeking a practical, prevention-first model that strengthens readiness, compliance, and student well-being.

Presenter: Thom Jones, Sr. VP of Threat Detection & Prevention – Navigate 360

A former middle school administrator with more than 19 years of experience, Thom has extensive knowledge in school operations and safety needs. He brings together district needs and industry expertise to help shape the direction and development of impactful solutions designed to help create safe learning environments — physically, socially and emotionally.

July 10, Thursday, 8:30 am – 9:45 am

Equipping Students, Not Just Policing Behavior: A Teaching-Focused Approach to Bullying

Bullying prevention efforts often focus on what adults should stop, rather than what students need to be taught. This session shifts that focus by outlining clear, teachable targets that equip students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to recognize and respond to bullying and conflict. Participants will learn how to explicitly teach students the difference between rude behavior, conflict, and bullying, and how to build appropriate attitudes around self-advocacy and peer pressure. The presentation highlights practical instructional targets, including emotional regulation, assertiveness, boundary setting, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Emphasis is placed on moving beyond telling students what not to do and instead teaching, modeling, practicing, and reinforcing effective behaviors such as reporting, restraint, and help-seeking. Designed to align with PBIS and existing school routines, this session provides school-ready strategies that can be implemented at the classroom, small-group, or schoolwide level to strengthen student skills, reduce bullying incidents, and create more consistent responses across staff.

Presenter: Eric Landers, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Special Education Chair – Georgia Southern University

Thursday, July 9 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Admin 911

In today’s ever changing world, school administrators are sometimes thrust into different leadership roles when an emergency or disaster occurs. Whether it is an active killer event, a severe earthquake, a student/staff suicide or sudden death (on or off campus), a campus fire or gas leak, or bomb threat, administrators need to be prepared. School Leaders often should make quick and appropriate decisions. However, these responses also apply to district administration, superintendents and school board members.

First Responders, local, state and federal agencies are going to expect district leadership to follow the ICS (Incident Command Systems) which is required in the district Emergency Operations Plan and be prepared to act within a unified command structure. This seminar gives a quick summary of the ICS structure, as well as changing leadership roles at the district office and on the campus. This seminar will also cover being prepared, having the proper response, applying the appropriate recovery plan and how to be effective with continuity of operations.

The seminar is led by Brent Hull who has thirty years of experience in school administration and operations. He is a certified EMT in the state of California, an active member in the federal and state medical strike teams. He has also worked at FEMA in the disaster response unit, as well as served at fire departments. He is a graduate of the San Francisco Police Academy.

Presenter: Brent Hull, MPA, EMT, CSRM

Thursday, July 9 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Rules Without Relationships Bring Rebellion: A People-Centered Approach to Safer Schools

School safety is strengthened not only by physical security measures, but by the quality of daily interactions, visibility patterns, and predictable routines that shape how students experience their environment. This presentation introduces a people-centered safety model grounded in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and enhanced by relationship-building, staff presence, and practical de-escalation strategies. Drawing from more than 20 years of law enforcement and school-based leadership, Dr. Lawrence E. Smith demonstrates how the human environment—adult visibility, trust, communication, and behavioral cues—functions as a critical but often overlooked layer of campus safety.

Through real case studies from urban school settings, attendees will see how small changes in staff positioning, supervision flow, greeting protocols, and relational engagement reduce hotspots, prevent conflict, support early reporting, and improve overall climate. Participants will learn a simple “before, during, and after” model that can be adapted to any school, regardless of size or resources.

This session provides concrete tools, including a relationship-mapping template, visibility and presence checklist, de-escalation script, and a 30-day implementation plan that schools can use immediately. By connecting CPTED with relational safety practices, this presentation equips educators and leaders with actionable strategies to build safer, more connected learning environments.

Presenter: Dr.Lawrence Smith, CEO –UrbanEdge Educational and Safety Consulting Firm LLC

Date

Thursday, July 9 | 9:45 am – 11:00 am

Systems Approach – Examining the Behavioral Background of the Marysville Pilchuck High School Attacker

For over 25 years, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) has conducted research on the thinking and behaviors of those who commit acts of targeted school violence, to prevent future acts from occurring. Key findings from this research indicate that establishing multidisciplinary threat assessment teams and encouraging school communities to report concerning behaviors are critical steps in the prevention of targeted violence.

This case study utilizes the Systems Approach based on an attacker who perpetrated the 2014 school attack at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, WA. The Systems Approach is an effective way to gather information as part of a threat assessment, as it identifies sources (e.g., law enforcement, employment, community, family, etc.) that may have information on the individual of concern’s actions, stressors, changes in their life, and behaviors that may have concerned others. In utilizing post attack interviews and open-source information, this case provides a plethora of information about the attacker in the weeks and days leading up to the attack. The information collected from the attacker’s systems provide insight as his feelings, thoughts, and behaviors grew more concerning in the week before the attack. Additionally, this case highlights the importance of collecting information from multiple sources and corroborating the information, as some sources had contradictory information (e.g., some observed nothing out of the ordinary with the attacker, whereas others stated they noticed significant changes in his actions and thoughts). When gathering information for a threat assessment, it is essential for public safety professionals to be able to identify these systems, use their training and knowledge on the best information to collect, and recognize potential opportunities of support within these systems.

Presenter: Arlene Macias, Domestic Security Strategist – U.S. Secret Service, National Threat Assessment Center

Thursday, July 9 | 9:45 am – 11:00 am

Addressing School Safety through Supporting Student Mental Health and Emotional Safety

School tragedies are preventable. In four out of five school shootings, at least one other person had knowledge of the attacker’s plan but failed to report it due to lack of trust or positive relationships with adults at the school. Most students feel more comfortable talking with their peers than to counselors or teachers when stressed, sad, or depressed. Training and supporting students to recognize warning signs, empowering them to be advocates to improve school climate, and supporting student-led wellness activities on campus would strengthen the school’s capacity to promoting student mental wellness and emotional safety. This workshop will discuss how schools can implement peer-led mental health clubs to train students to be mental health advocates, reduce stigma, and promote student mental wellness. Come hear about how you can start and sustain peer-led mental health clubs on campus, learn about different club activities, and take advantage of an opportunity to apply for club stipends to fund student activities.

Presenters: Hilva Chan – California Department of Education and Marielle Luhdorff – NAMI California

Thursday, July 9 | 9:45 am – 11:00 am

Is Your School Safe? A discussion on School Safety

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly progressed in recent years, with remarkable advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, voice cloning, and a variety of additional services. AI is increasingly used in ways that directly impact University/College campuses, school communities, corporations, and law enforcement.

For Safety/Threat Assessment (S/TA) teams, these developments present both opportunities and new challenges. High risk and vulnerable individuals, detached from their environment and seeking connection in the digital world, may turn to digital platforms and form “synthetic relationships.”” These relationships could appear to be other users, but may in fact be AI-driven or even maliciously designed chatbots. Furthermore, when AI is used to generate Deep fake intimate images/videos or of weapons, it poses an immense danger to all. To gain deeper insight into the power and capacity of AI, S/TA teams must stay up to date with quickly evolving AI technology.

This session will provide a practical overview of how AI is being used today, what S/TA teams need to be aware of, and how to best recognize the risks associated with its use.

Presenter: Colton Easton, Director of Project Development – Safer Schools Together

Thursday, July 9 | 9:45 am – 11:00 am

Safety Is a Nervous System: The Hidden Science Behind Student Behavior and School Climate

School safety is often addressed through policy and crisis response, yet behavior and climate are shaped by something more fundamental: the nervous system. This session reframes safety as a biological and environmental condition leaders can intentionally design across entire systems.

Using accessible neuroscience and real-world examples, Kenneth Bourne provides a scalable blueprint for reducing escalation, strengthening adult capacity, and improving school climate at the district level.

Presenter: Kenneth Bourne Jr., Founder/CEO – Bourne Anew LLC (PA)

Thursday, July 9 | 9:45 am – 11:00 am

Prevention Through Education and Advocacy: Empowering Communities to Protect Children

Child safety—including sexual abuse prevention, human trafficking prevention, digital safety, and bullying prevention—remains a critical and urgent issue across the United States. Research shows that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will experience abuse before graduating high school; however, up to 95 percent of abuse is preventable through education and awareness.

This presentation explores how lived experience can drive survivor-informed prevention, policy change, and educational programming. Drawing from her personal journey as a childhood sexual abuse survivor turned Florida Senator, Lauren Book demonstrates how survivor voice, public awareness, and evidence-based curriculum can strengthen school safety and empower communities.

Participants will examine classroom, parent, and community-based resources that help children build safety skills, promote disclosure, and foster healing. The session will also address best practices for evaluating and selecting abuse prevention curricula, including criteria for developmental appropriateness, compliance with national and state requirements, and the importance of repetition, skill-building, and ongoing practice.

Attendees will leave inspired, informed, and better equipped to advance prevention initiatives that reduce stigma, engage families, and create safer learning environments for all children.

Presenter: Lauren Book, M.S. Ed, Child Advocate, Former Classroom Teacher, Best-selling Author, and Former Florida State Senator – Lauren’s Kids Foundation

Thursday, July 9 | 9:45 am – 11:00 am

Gangs 101: Keeping Our Schools Safe

This workshop will provide in-depth information on gang awareness and school-based strategies. The offers a comprehensive approach to addressing gangs and drugs in schools. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of gang culture, its impact on our students, and what schools can do to better address the issue.

Gangs Awareness 101, identifies common warning signs of gang involvement, including changes in behavior, the use of specific colors, symbols, hand signs, tattoos, and graffiti, all associated with gang activity. The workshop will address risk and protective factors, providing school-based prevention and intervention strategies for schools to address concerns related to gang and violence.

Presenter: James Franklin, National Gang Center, Safety Manager – Riverside County Office of Education

Thursday, July 9 | 9:45 am – 11:00 am

Protecting Youth Through Prevention and Awareness: School Safety, Human Trafficking, and the Pathway to Violence

This session will include discussions on the statutory requirements for California’s Human Trafficking Prevention Education and Training Act (HTPETA), creating age-appropriate curriculum, and common misconceptions surrounding trafficking along with free resources provided by the Cal OES School Security Program and recently published school safety advisories.

Located within the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit of the State Threat Assessment Center (STAC), the Cal OES School Security Program coordinates a K-12 program incorporating physical security, behavioral threat assessment and management training, and interagency partner collaboration to uplift resources to recognize, prevent, and mitigate school violence. The Cal OES School Security Program also partners closely with the STAC’s Human Trafficking Liaison to highlight California’s Human Trafficking Prevention Education and Training Act (HTPETA), an act that requires human trafficking prevention education training for both teachers and students. This session will involve discussions on the statutory requirements of HTPETA, translating concepts into age-appropriate curriculum, and addressing commonly held misconceptions on trafficking/exploitation along with providing clarity on what the crime entails and how it is likely to manifest in our communities. Additionally, this session will cover different services offered by the Cal OES School Security Program, recently published school safety advisories, and ways to identify warning signs and how early, informed intervention can disrupt potential school violence.

Presenters: LeAnn Gajunia, Comprehensive School Security Specialist and Christina Derungs – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) / State Threat Assessment Center (STAC)

Date

Thursday, July 9 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Building Safer Schools Through Tiered Supports and Whole-Child Partnerships

Westminster School District (WSD) has strengthened its reputation as the Safest Orange County Elementary School District through a comprehensive, proactive approach to school safety, student well-being, and attendance recovery. This session will highlight WSD’s 2025–26 professional development initiative, in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, where over 80 staff members, including counselors, specialists, psychologists, site administrators, and district leaders were trained in threat assessment and coordinated response practices.

Participants will learn how these trainings, combined with tiered systems of student support and targeted attendance recovery initiatives, have enhanced the district’s ability to respond to student needs during the school day and in after-school programs. WSD’s attendance recovery work is intentionally aligned with whole-child practices, focusing on early identification, relationship-based interventions, and removing barriers to attendance so students feel connected, supported, and engaged in their school communities. Additionally, the session will explore real-world examples of whole-child and family-centered initiatives that directly support attendance and engagement, including sustainable family resources such as the WSD family pantry, Westminster PD, and partnerships with community organizations like the Westminster Family Resource Center (WFRC) and the Boys & Girls Club of Westminster. These supports reinforce safety and stability while addressing essential needs such as food security, extended learning opportunities, and after-school supervision factors that have contributed to improved attendance rates and stronger student-school connections across WSD.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the impact of professional development and cross-agency partnerships on school safety and threat assessment capacity.
Describe how tiered systems of support during and after school contribute to student well-being and connectedness.
Examine the role of family engagement in promoting safety, equity, and access to resources.
Identify practical strategies for creating sustainable, whole-child support programs in schools.
Learn how integrated safety, support, and family partnerships lead to improved student outcomes, including attendance and engagement.

Panel Presenters: Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D. Superintendent; Manuel Cardoso, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services; Michelle Watkins, Chief Academic Officer; Elsie Briseno Simonovski, Director, Whole Child and Family Engagement; and Laura Urquhart – Westminster School District

Thursday, July 9 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

The Connection-First Method: How to Get Students to Listen, Engage and Actually Care

Before you decide if this session is for you, ask yourself:

How can I help my students tune in the moment I begin teaching or redirecting?
How can I spark enough curiosity and connection that I’m not competing with phones, stress, or apathy?
How can I build quick, meaningful rapport — even with tough or resistant groups?
How can I pass up a workshop where I will learn, laugh and walk out with practical tools to assist youth?

If you’ve ever tried to talk to a student who seemed far more captivated by their hoodie strings or the classroom window than by your words, you’re not alone. Students don’t check out because your content isn’t good — they check out because their brains need connection before they can meaningfully absorb information.

In this lively, practical session, national speaker Ray Lozano introduces The Connection-First Method, a simple, science-backed approach that helps students listen, lean in, and genuinely care. You’ll learn how emotional safety opens the doors to learning, why tone and energy matter more than we realize, and how quick micro-connection moments can dramatically shift student behavior and engagement.

Presenter: Ray Lozano, CEO/National Prevention Speaker – Prevention Plus, LLC

Thursday, July 9 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Is Your Emergency Operations Plan Operational or Just Compliant?

Many organizations meet legal requirements yet still struggle to respond effectively when a critical incident occurs. Compliance alone does not ensure readiness.

This interactive breakout session will explore:
-When and how to activate your Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
-Understanding roles and responsibilities- The differences between Incident Command Post, Emergency Operations Center, Policy Group, and Board responsibilities
-Executive decision-making under pressure
-Training beyond drills
-Building institutional confidence and operational capability
-Common leadership mistakes made during emergencies

Presenter: Jason Vickery, Senior Advisor – IMReady

July 10, Thursday, 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm

Living Through the Unthinkable: A Student’s Perspective

In this deeply personal and emotional presentation, Reichen Posey shares his story of surviving the Sandy Hook tragedy—offering a rare and powerful perspective from someone who lived through it as a child. At just seven years old, Reichen was inside a first-grade classroom when the unthinkable happened. Now as a young adult, he reflects on that day, the long and difficult path of healing, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Reichen opens up about what it was like to experience fear no child should ever know, how trauma shaped his childhood, and the ongoing journey of recovery. He offers an honest look at what helped him most—supportive community, mental health resources, and the unwavering love of his family—and shares insights into what young survivors need as they heal.

This is more than a story of survival—it’s a story of resilience, hope, and purpose. Reichen brings a compelling voice to the conversation around school safety and mental health, urging us all to prioritize not just physical security, but the emotional well-being of every student.

Attendees will leave with a renewed commitment to creating safe, compassionate environments where children can thrive—and a reminder that even after tragedy, healing and hope are possible.

Presenter: Reichen Posey, National Speaker – Carly Posey Speaking

Thursday, July 9 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Uncovering and Preparing for Threats in Schools

From active shooter incidents to severe weather emergencies, threats to schools are all around us. Each threat requires a different level of engagement and preparation. Your students and communities expect their learning environments to be protected and secure. Your teams must conduct thorough and accurate safety and risk assessments to identify where improvements are most needed. In fact, a typical comprehensive risk assessment covers more than 300 individual safety and security points across every building involved, ensuring nothing critical is overlooked. Identifying threats and creating procedures that ensure physical security will enable your school community not only to stay safe, but to devote themselves fully to thriving mentally, emotionally, and academically.
This session will walk through:
-How to first identify the different risks that can affect your students, staff, and community and most importantly, how to prepare for them.
-Why preparation must be people-focused, not just centered on physical security measures.
-How an effective approach requires structure, order, and implementation at every level of the organization.
-Why a plan alone is not enough you must plan, practice, and prepare.

Presenters: Ryan Sladek, Regional VP Sales and Shawn Groat, Sr Consultant, Risk Assessment
– Navigate 360

Ryan Sladek is an education and safety leader with more than a decade of experience supporting schools through leadership development, student engagement, and behavioral intervention. He currently serves as Regional Vice President at Navigate360, partnering with school districts to strengthen safety, well-being, and student success through proactive, people-centered solutions. Based in Colorado, Ryan works closely with district leaders to align strategy, culture, and operations.

Previously, he spent nine years with Aurora Public Schools, most recently as Dean of Students at Rangeview High School and Campus Security Supervisor, where he led behavior and attendance initiatives, mentored teams, and supported school safety efforts. Earlier, Ryan served as a high school Social Studies teacher and department chair.

Shawn Groat, PSP, is a seasoned security professional specializing in executive protection, risk management, and crisis response. As Senior Risk Consultant with Navigate360, he conducts comprehensive safety assessments and develops Emergency Operations Plans for schools, corporations, and government agencies. Shawn helped establish Emergency Response Teams and protocols for U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, managing high-risk incidents and coordinating evacuations. A former Director of International Operations and Advance Team Leader, he has led complex global security missions in austere environments. Shawn holds multiple industry certifications, including ASIS PSP, TCCC, BPATS, NFPA, and FEMA, demonstrating his commitment to operational excellence and safety leadership.

Thursday, July 9 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Turning Awareness into Action: Leveraging Up-standers to Mitigate Targeted Violence in Schools

This presentation highlights strategies to empower students, staff, families, and community members to identify early warning signs and respond safely and proactively. Through awareness training, clear intervention pathways, and ongoing support, it turns passive observation into decisive prevention. By fostering a culture of responsibility and collaboration, this approach equips upstanders to act before threats escalate, help reduce targeted violence and build safer, stronger, and more resilient school communities.

Presenter: Jeffrey R. Cugno, CEO – SOS Global Consulting, Inc. (retired FBI Special Agent)

Thursday, July 9 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Suicide: A Systemic Framework for Digital Safety and Hope

Behind every notification is a heartbeat. Behind every scroll is a search for connection- or cry for help. As the digital landscape evolves, so must our framework for youth suicide prevention. Social media use is an integral part of youth interactions, peer relationships, and connectedness and can be leveraged to enhance mental health. This session provides a research-based foundation for understanding pathways and mechanisms that increase risk as well as those that mitigate risks within the digital ecosystems within an Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). For many educators, social media platforms are often viewed through a narrow lens of risk—cyberbullying, social comparison, screen time, and sleep deprivation. However, to truly support the modern student, we must adjust the aperture to capture a more comprehensive picture of the digital experience. By doing so, we can move beyond reactive monitoring to find genuine hope and systemic safety in a digital world.

This session will highlight legislative initiatives and demonstrate how multi-disciplinary school teams can identify and interpret the “digital footprint” of a student at risk. This proactive approach equips leaders, educators, and mental health professionals with key considerations for utilizing multi-source data to identify mental health needs and evaluate risk in the digital sphere. Participants will gain actionable
strategies and tools to intervene before, during, and after life-threatening behaviors occur and foster a culture of safety, connectedness, and hope in a digital world.
Learning Objectives

Learn about the prevalence of suicide and current legislation to address mental health and suicide
prevention.
Explore the key components of the digital landscape of youth at risk of suicide.
Enhance suicide risk screening and assessment protocols with multi-sources of data.

Presenter: Dr. Margaret A. Sedor, NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee, Senior Trainer Safer Schools Together, Safe and Sound Schools

Dr. Margaret A. Sedor is a nationally recognized school psychologist with over 30 years’ experience within schools, alternative education settings, residential facilities, and graduate programs. As a national expert, she facilitates training in MTSS, mental health, wellbeing, restorative practices, suicide and threat assessment, and crisis management and response. As a senior consultant she works with district leadership teams to create systemic framework for suicide prevention, crisis management, psychological safety, and well-being. She serves on the NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee, CASP Legislation and Mental Wellness Committee, and Safe Spaces work group with the California Department of Public Health and Education Department. She was recognized as the 2025 National Association of School Psychologists of the Year.

Thursday, July 9 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Holistic School Safety: Creating Safe & Supportive Learning Environments

From acts of violence to severe weather, a coordinated effort among school personnel, local responders, and the broader school community is essential to building a safer school environment. This session will focus on the latest federal resources available on a range of school safety topics.

Enhancing school safety requires a community-based, comprehensive, and holistic approach, in which a wide range of school community members play a role. Join a representative from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency School Safety Task Force to explore the latest federal resources for creating and sustaining safe and supportive school environments. The presenter will share research-informed strategies and recommendations that enhance safe and supportive learning environments through collaborative, holistic and actionable approaches.

This session will also cover common elements and evidence-based practices schools should consider in developing and implementing a holistic approach to school safety. Additionally, this session will discuss what schools are doing to prepare for potential acts of violence and other threats by improving their campuses’ physical security and involving school personnel who are trained to prevent, recognize, and respond to threats of violence as well as implementing other prevention, protection, and mitigation strategies. By integrating these various elements – and applying them to their individualized and unique needs, challenges, and settings – schools can create safer campuses year-round. This session is highly interactive, with speakers soliciting input from the audience throughout the discussion

Presenter: Andrew Dominic, Program Specialist – DHS/CISA/ School Safety Task Force

Date

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Preventing Bullying Through Better Systems: How Small Changes Can Produce Schoolwide Results

Nearly 20% of students report being bullied at school within the past year. Bullying is linked to lower attendance, poorer physical health, and increased depression, creating serious consequences for students. It also places a burden on schools, requiring staff time for investigations and sometimes resulting in financial costs. Addressing bullying in an effective and efficient way can both protect students and reduce strain on school resources.

This presentation introduces the Problem Analysis Triangle as a practical framework for understanding and reducing bullying in schools. This model explains that bullying occurs when three factors come together: an offender, a target, and an opportunity. If schools can disrupt even one of these factors, bullying incidents can be reduced. The framework also highlights key influencers within the school environment. Handlers influence student behavior, guardians protect potential targets, and managers control locations where bullying is more likely to occur. When these roles are strengthened, they can limit opportunities for bullying and support safer school environments.

Participants will learn how these elements interact and how school staff can apply targeted, school-ready strategies to enhance their effectiveness. The session offers practical guidance for improving supervision, responding to bullying behavior, and supporting students in ways that are realistic and sustainable for schools.

Presenter: Eric Landers, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Special Education Chair – Georgia Southern University

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Navigating Online Harms

This workshop offers an innovative solution to help students develop critical thinking skills in the context of avoiding viral risky/deadly online content. We train teachers how to successfully tackle this topic with their students and help them understand why it is hard to make good decisions, empowers them to say “No” online harms, and reinforces peer pressure strategies. Data and verbal student feedback demonstrates its success.

The material is meant to be taught by any professional (teacher/counselor, etc.) who is comfortable with teaching risk resiliency topics. It is fully scripted and easy to follow. We train your trainers … and your trainers teach your students. We know the material – your trainers know your students.

The topic of online challenges is the used as an “example” of a dangerous online harm because very few – if any – digital safety program discusses challenges although they proliferate everywhere and are equally as deadly as the other harms. (After which is a menu of additional topics which can be chosen from and the program customized to fit your schools’ needs, including cyberbullying, predators, sextortion chatbots and harmful algorithms.) All of our services are free of charge.

Presenter: Judy Rogg, MSW, Director – Erik’s Cause

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Schools in Disaster: A Changing Landscape

With the changes in public education funding and recent disasters, better collaboration between government agencies is necessary. Join CDE and Cal OES to learn how CDE and Cal OES are partnering to assist K-12 schools before, during, and after disasters. New emergency management initiatives and publications to assist administrators in bridging resource gaps, new legislation, and lessons learned from the 2025 Los Angeles Fires will be discussed in this breakout session.

• Collaboration between Cal OES and CDE to address the resource gap from the loss of the U.S. Department of Education Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA Center).
• Overview of new and emerging emergency management and safety legislation impacting schools.
• Discussion of funding opportunities for districts and schools.
• 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires – Lessons Learned and Best Practices.

Presenters: Danielle Chapman, Emergency Services Team Manager, CDE; Carlos Garcia, Emergency Services Team Specialist, CDE; Vanessa Vazquez, Emergency Services Coordinator, Cal OES; Abby Tirapelle, Emergency Services Coordinator, Cal OES

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

What Schools Need to Know Now: Campus Substance Abuse – 2026 Update

Presenter: Christopher Sanders, ABD, MBA, DRE – Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Strengthening School Safety through Mental Wellness

Across school settings, including continuation, alternative educational schools, and juvenile hall, educators, counselors, and administrators are facing rising anxiety, behavioral escalation, and safety concerns rooted in early Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, and chronic stress. When students have experienced instability, loss, or unmet needs at a young age, correction- or compliance-driven responses often escalate behavior rather than support regulation or learning.

Connection Before Correction integrates Partners4Wellness’ trauma-informed, life-skills and resilience framework, grounded in the Ten Dimensions of Wellness, with existing SEL, MTSS, PBIS, and YPAR systems. Using a concierge-style mental wellness approach and structured Second Responder follow-up after behavioral incidents, staff learn how to intentionally rebuild trust, strengthen coping and decision-making skills, and reinforce accountability. Participants leave with practical strategies to better support high-need students and strengthen school climate and safety by leading with connection first.

Presenters: Phillip Falcetti, MPH, Mabel Salvador, MS, & Bryn Desmarais – Partners4Wellness

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Operationalizing School Safety (OSS)

“You have the what and why—now we’ll show you the how.” This interactive breakout introduces school and district leaders, safety teams, and community partners to the practical steps of building and strengthening school safety systems. Participants will get a taste of our scenario-driven, hands-on approach that moves beyond theory to action.

Through short tabletop scenarios and real-world examples, we’ll explore:
· Building Your Crisis Team – how to define threats and assign roles by capability, not just title.
· Communication in Crisis – tested strategies for internal and external messaging under pressure.
· Foundations of Safety Systems – what it means to operationalize an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in everyday practice.
· School & District Roles in Action – how responsibilities shift when seconds matter, from classroom-level response to district command.

Why Attend:
This session gives a preview of our full-day training, showing how your team can gain the tools, confidence, and practical exercises to operationalize school safety at every level—school, district, and community. If you want to transform your Emergency Operations Plan from paper to practice, this is the session that will make you want the full experience.

Presenter: Andy Arnold – Circle of Trust Training Systems (NV)

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Leading the Shift: Practical Strategies for Embedding Restorative Practices in Schools to Enhance School Safety

This session focuses on how schools can enhance safety and belonging by embedding restorative practices into daily routines and schoolwide systems. As schools continue to address rising behavioral concerns and the need for stronger relationships, restorative practices offer a proactive, research-based approach that strengthens community and reduces reliance on punitive discipline. Participants will explore practical strategies for leading this cultural shift moving from traditional models of punishment toward approaches that emphasize accountability, empathy, and repair of harm.

Through real-world examples, participants will learn how to implement tiered restorative systems, engage staff and students in dialogue circles, and integrate restorative language into classroom management and school policies. The session will also highlight how restorative practices directly contribute to safer schools by improving trust, reducing repeat incidents, and fostering a climate of respect and shared responsibility.

Whether you are just beginning the restorative journey or refining an existing model, this session will provide tools and frameworks to sustain the work. Participants will leave prepared to lead the shift toward restorative school cultures that prioritize safety, connection, and long-term positive outcomes for all members of the school community.

Presenter: Dr. Amelia Owen, Assistant Head of School & Director of School Counseling – Boca Prep International School (FL)

Thursday, July 9 | 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Suspend or Support? Dealing with Highly at Risk Male Students

Suspend or Support? Dealing with Highly At-Risk Male Students challenges educators to critically examine traditional discipline practices and explore more effective, restorative responses to student behavior. Across schools, the students most frequently suspended or expelled are disproportionately male, students of color, often carrying anger, trauma, and the impact of fatherlessness. Punitive systems alone fail to address the root causes driving these behaviors and can unintentionally deepen disengagement and hopelessness.

This dynamic breakout session invites participants to confront a common question faced by school leaders and staff: If we don’t suspend, then what do we do? Grounded in evidence-based practices and real-world experience, this presentation offers practical alternatives that balance accountability with support. Participants will explore mentoring models that intentionally address fatherlessness, identity development, and the need for positive male role models, as well as restorative responses that repair harm while preserving dignity and connection.

Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to foster a school climate rooted in trust, structure, and high expectations—without sacrificing compassion. This session is designed for educators committed to interrupting cycles of exclusion and building environments of hope, belonging, and long-term success for our most vulnerable male students.

Presenter: Carlos Guillen, Principal, Orange Grove High School – Corona-Norco Unified School District

Date

Friday, July 10 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Understanding and Combating Gang Influence in Schools

This workshop provides educators and school staff with essential knowledge to identify and address gang activity, disruptive groups, and their impact on school safety. Participants will gain insight into Orange County-specific gangs, tagging crews, and the threats they pose to students and staff.

Key Topics Covered:
Identifying Local Gangs & Tagging Crews – Recognizing signs of gang affiliation and their influence on campus.
Understanding Youth Involvement – Why students are drawn to these groups and how schools are prime locations for recruitment.
Mitigating Gang Presence on Campus – Strategies for intervention and prevention, including the role of staff relationships and monitoring social media.
Social Media & Gang Activity – How online platforms are used for recruitment and coordination.
Building a Proactive Approach – The critical role of School Resource Officers (SROs) and maintaining open lines of communication among staff, students, and families.
Legal Considerations – Overview of juvenile laws, including Welfare and Institutions Code 625.6, to understand law enforcement’s role in juvenile intervention.
This session equips school personnel with practical tools to identify and combat gang activity, ensuring a safer learning environment for all students.

Presenters: Deputy Cameron Griggs and Deputy Janiel Gonzalez – Orange County Sheriff Gang Enforcement Team

Deputy Cameron Griggs brings extensive law enforcement experience with a strong background in gang enforcement and narcotics suppression. He is currently assigned to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department South Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) and has served in a variety of roles throughout his career.

Custody Operations – Intake Release Center (2019-2023)
Patrol Operations – San Clemente (2023-2025)
Target Reduction Investigation Prevention (TRIP) Team (2024-2025)
South Gang Enforcement Team (2025-Present)
Orange County Gang Investigators Association Member (2024-Present)

Deputy Griggs is dedicated to combating gang-related crime through suppression and intelligence-driven investigations, enhancing community safety and law enforcement collaboration

Deputy Janiel Gonzalez has a comprehensive background in law enforcement with a focus on Gang Enforcement, Proactive Policing Strategies, and Narcotics Enforcement.

Custody Operations – Theo Lacy Jail Facility (2018–2023)
Patrol Operations – San Juan Capistrano Police Services (2023–2026)
South Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) Deputy (2026–Present)
Member – Orange County Gang Investigators Association (OCGIA)
Member – California Narcotics Officers’ Association (CNOA)

Deputy Gonzalez is committed to public safety, gang suppression, and intelligence-driven investigations to enhance community safety and collaboration with law enforcement

Friday, July 10 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Comprehensive School Safety Plans: Improve Climate, Reduce Damages, New Laws

This class will discuss the components of a CSSP including methods to improve school climate and physical environment and answer frequently asked questions about items such as due dates, what year is the plan developed for and is there a recommended template.

A CA State Auditor report concerning schools’ readiness for emergencies found that districts, county, and state agencies have provided schools with weak oversight, resulting in an environment that may put students and staff at risk. Schools are required to revise their CSSP every year, including the creation of social and physical climate goals. The CSSP is an analysis of the school/district/charter’s safety practices procedures, and policies that promote a safe learning environment and improve emergency/disaster response. Does your school conduct a systematic evaluation, gap analysis to ensure best practices are used? A gap analysis is designed to identify potential weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and areas for improvement, allowing schools to take corrective measures to prevent incidents, improve the social and physical environment, and create a safer learning environment. A CSSP enhances the culture of safety and helps schools develop and implement an action plan. This class is based on the Educator’s Guide to Comprehensive School Safety Plans, the legislative intent for developing CSSP’s, we will discuss the components of a CSSP, including methods to improve social climate and physical environment, answer FAQ’s about items such as due dates and templates and discuss legislative updates.

Presenter: Thomas Steele, Director of School Safety – Campus Safety Group

Friday, July 10 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

The Secret: Navigating Available Resources and Services, for the Safety of our Students

As the landscape of school safety funding and available resources currently continues to evolve for all of us, it is critical that we receive information relative to trusted and reliable sources. To that end, we will be supplying direct information to you regarding the National Education Safety and Security Initiative (NESSI), UCLA, Fielding School of Public Health to discuss and offer assistance.

NESSI provides multiple services to school districts, county offices of education, community colleges, and charter schools. Services include safe schools’ assistance and information, child welfare, attendance, staff development, job descriptions, Security Chief/Director qualifications and in-service training. *Specializing in School Security Courses for both Administrators and Security Staff.

Presenter: Bryan Astrachan, Coordinator, National Education Safety and Security Initiative (NESSI) – UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Friday, July 10 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

From Clinic to Classroom

This workshop will outline practical ways school personnel and mental health professionals can collaboratively support student mental health. Participants will learn about the continuum of care, including the types of support students may receive in clinical settings and how those supports translate into school environments. Presenters will clarify roles, responsibilities, and boundaries, emphasizing appropriate communication, confidentiality, and consent. Drawing from their respective professional experiences, the presenters will identify the critical need for collaborative care, especially in historically underserved communities.

Presenters: Carly Anderson, Assistant Principal – Jefferson Elementary School and Dr. Dane Anderson, Licensed Professional Counselor (CO)

Friday, July 10 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Building Safer, Smarter, and Healthier Schools: Broward County’s Comprehensive Approach to Student Mental Wellness

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has taken a proactive, district-wide approach to promoting student safety and mental wellness through integrated prevention and education initiatives. This presentation will highlight how BCPS utilizes Lauren’s Kids – Safer, Smarter Schools lessons, Mental Health Wellness Fairs, and other evidence-based programs to foster resilience, empowerment, and emotional well-being among students.

Through collaboration with community partners and mental health professionals, BCPS provides students and staff with resources, tools, and strategies to recognize and respond to emotional and safety concerns. The presentation will explore how prevention-focused lessons, interactive school-wide events, and targeted mental health supports help create safer, more compassionate learning environments.

Attendees will learn how these initiatives align with state mandates, life skills and wellness competencies, and the districts commitment to building trauma-informed, inclusive school communities. The session will also share student feedback and best practices that guide continuous program improvement. Participants will leave with practical strategies and adaptable resources to strengthen mental health awareness, increase student engagement, and build a culture of care and safety in their own schools or districts.

Presenter: Kimberly Young, Coordinator – Broward County Public Schools (FL)

Friday, July 10 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

The Conversations We Don’t Have… And Every Child Deserve

Schools are working tirelessly to keep kids safe — yet prevention often begins too late. The statistics are staggering with one in four girls and one in six boys experiencing contact sexual abuse before turning 18. The Body Safety Box is a research-based, evidence-driven lesson series that equips elementary schools and families with the language and skills children need to help refuse and report abuse.

Grounded in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research, this session transforms how adults understand and teach Body Safety. Participants discover how equipping kids with developmentally appropriate safety language and skills reduces vulnerability to abuse and online exploitation while strengthening connection and help-seeking behaviors.

Through simple, school-ready lessons, adults learn how to facilitate compassionate, clear conversations children remember and use. The Body Safety Box supports school-family connections so prevention isn’t isolated — it is reinforced at home, at school, and everywhere a child shows up.

Attendees leave with practical Body Safety scripts, easy-to-deliver lesson routines, and a step-by-step roadmap for launching comprehensive prevention education on their campuses. Most importantly, participants gain a renewed sense of confidence and purpose: knowing they can help safeguard every child’s story, protect their future, and bring urgent prevention work to life — before harm strikes.

Presenter: Dr. Missy Gryder – The Body Safety Box (AZ)

Friday, July 10 | 8:15 am – 9:30 am

Lessons Learned in Lockdown

This session explores how involving key stakeholders and using modern communication tools can strengthen school lockdown preparedness while reducing trauma for students and staff.

School lockdowns are more than just sounding the alarm and checking doors. This session will examine the importance of involving stakeholders and leaders in lockdown drills to build emergency preparedness capabilities and relationships. We will discuss how new training and communication tools can help care for students and staff during lockdowns, creating less trauma and helping them feel more informed and empowered. The session will also demonstrate how combining the use of HOLD and LOCKDOWN directives with new communication technologies can improve school preparedness, public safety response, tactical operations, and physical and psychological safety during lockdown events.

Presenter: Ian Lopez, Director of Safety and Security – Cherry Creek School District (CO)