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Michigan School Safety Academy
(Mi-SSA)
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Office of School Safety (OSS) has hosted two out of the six school safety academies planned during fiscal year 2024. Prominent subject matter experts have engaged and inspired attendees by enhancing their knowledge and skills in school safety.
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Please visit the MSP OSS website for details about the four upcoming academies. Please note that registration must be completed online and space is limited. |
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The Michigan School Safety Academies are funded through a fiscal year 2023 appropriation to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission and provided to the MSP, Grants and Community Services Division, OSS.
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New Gun Safety Laws
February 13, 2024
In an effort to protect Michigan families from tragic gun violence and unintentional firearms injuries, the “Secure Storage Law” requiring safe storage of firearms went into effect on February 13, 2024. Public Act 17 of 2023 amended the Firearms Act by adding MCL 28.429, making it a crime to improperly store or leave a firearm unattended on a premises under an individual's control when that individual knows or reasonably should know a minor is, or is likely to be, on premise. Unattended firearms must be unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container. A guide to responsible gun ownership, safe handling, and secure storage can be found here.
To help defray the cost of purchasing firearm safety devices, additional legislation made these devices exempt from sales and use taxes through December 24, 2024. Free gun safety locks can be obtained through the Project ChildSafe program’s law enforcement partners across the state. Michigan residents can visit their local MDHHS office to request one of the free gun locks while supplies last, and they can also check with their local health department, some of which will have gun locks available. MDHHS staff who make home visits will also be able to access gun locks if a client has a need or wants to request one. Free gun locks can also be obtained through any Michigan State Police post or Project ChildSafe police partners across the state.
Gun lock installation instructions are included within the product’s packaging and available on the Project ChildSafe website.
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Cybersecurity
Resources for K-12 Schools and School Districts
SchoolSafety.gov released a new cybersecurity infographic that highlights information on the K-12 cyber threat landscape and strategies and resources school personnel can use to prevent and protect against cyberattacks and digital threats.
Cyberattacks on K-12 schools and school districts can expose sensitive and confidential data, disrupt school operations and learning, and have substantial financial impacts. Educational institutions can be a lucrative and vulnerable target for malicious cyber actors because they:
- Maintain extensive amounts of student and staff data and personal information.
- Utilize multiple forms of networking technologies and systems to facilitate learning.
- Often lack resources to put in place a comprehensive cybersecurity program.
How can K-12 schools and school districts protect themselves? There are a number of low-cost proactive measures that schools and school districts can take to minimize exposure to common cyberattacks and strengthen their cybersecurity posture. Some of these strategies include:
- Practicing and providing training to school staff, educators, and students on good cyber hygiene.
- Establishing a cyber incident response plan outlining what should be done before, during, and after a cyber incident, and exercising and testing these plans regularly.
- Staying informed on the cyber risk environment and connecting with K-12 cyber partners who can help provide strategic and cost-efficient cybersecurity actions.
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School Resource Officer Training
The MSP OSS has developed a series of six online professional development courses on school safety and mental health. These free courses will provide school resource officers (SROs) and school safety personnel with the tools needed to promote a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. The goal is to provide position-specific standards, policies, and training on behavioral cues and potential indicators of a mental health crisis. The project was completed in partnership with Michigan State University and supported by Grant No. 2019-YS-BX-0098 awarded to the MSP Grants and Community Services Division (GCSD), by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice.
Use the following link to register for free, self-paced, SRO training.
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Michigan
School Resource Officer Grant Program
Highlights
In July 2022, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $25 million to fund SRO positions in Michigan K-12 public schools, school districts, and intermediate school districts, to be administered by the MSP GCSD OSS. In January 2023, the Governor’s office announced the grant awards which funded nearly 200 new SRO positions across the state.
SROs work to improve school safety and promote a positive school climate. Often, this happens one student at a time. Edwardsburg Public Schools recently shared the following meaningful success story:
“Officer E has integrated himself with the staff, students, and community to build relationships with all. He has become a member of our safety teams for the district and provided trainings for staff and education for students around school safety. Officer E is an integral part of the team updating our EOPs and building threat assessment teams. It has been amazing to watch Officer E build rapport with students. He has taken every opportunity available to be visible and engaging. He even went so far as to get a Paw Patrol Lunch box to take to the lunch tables with him and his wife made sure to take a "First Day of School" picture to share. I think he is getting as much enjoyment out of this position as the students are. What a great asset. Students and staff both appreciate his presence and the ’safe feeling‘ they get when he is around.”
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The MSP OSS is proud to report on the impactful work of SROs across the state.
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OK2SAY
OK2SAY Can Be a Helpful Resource
OK2SAY, Michigan’s school safety program, plays a crucial role in empowering students to confidentially report potential threats or concerning behaviors that could harm themselves or others. The program is specifically designed to help foster a safe and secure learning environment for students, both within and beyond the school premises.
Schools can be a lifeline when it comes to increased violence and trauma for teens. Schools that actively promote OK2SAY give their students the opportunity to act and voice their concerns regarding their safety or the safety of others. That is vital for Michigan schools, communities, and families.
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