Detect & Connect: From Early Signs to Early Intervention

A new video series designed to empower every adult in your school community is launching soon. Detect & Connect equips staff with tools to help them recognize when a student is struggling and then to connect the student with the support they need.

From the bus to the cafeteria to the practice field, this series supports adults who interact with students in spotting early signs of distress and responding effectively. Short, engaging videos and an easy-to-use facilitator’s guide make this a powerful addition to your professional development.

Prepare your entire team to play a vital role in student wellness.

Stay tuned for the launch of Detect & Connect.

Because everyone has a role in school safety.

Registration Open for 2025 School Safety Academy

Registration is now open for several sessions of the Michigan School Safety Academy. With all new content, school leaders, law enforcement, emergency managers, and mental health professionals are urged to attend this valuable learning opportunity. For an overview of the academy and registration information, visit the OSS website. Please note that online registration is required and space is limited.

Before Posting Back-to-School Photos: Share Smiles, Not Sensitive Info

Note: The following information is intended for schools to share with parents and caregivers before the start of the school year.

As the school year kicks off, social media will light up with proud parents posting first-day photos. It's a heartwarming tradition, but it can also unintentionally expose sensitive information about your child.

Details like school name, grade level, teacher, age, and even physical characteristics may seem harmless, but they can be exploited by predators or scammers targeting your child or family.

Even with strict privacy settings, the safest choice is to limit what you share online. Avoid posting: ❌ School name or location ❌ Age or birthdate ❌ Teacher’s name or classroom ❌ Physical details like height or weight ❌ Personal clues (e.g., answers to security questions) It is worth treating everyday details with the same caution you would give to a password or a PIN. Celebrate safely with fun captions, close ups of backpacks or shoes, or a creative back-to-school sign that does not include identifying information. Let's keep the memories joyful and private.

Warning Signs: Understanding and Identifying Insider Threats in Schools

Many attackers view previous school shooters as role models, often referencing them explicitly or through subtle, easily missed clues, creating a disturbing lineage of violence. Recognizing these indicators is crucial for early intervention. These resources offer a valuable framework for identifying potential threats by equipping schools with crucial insights into concerning indicators and insider references.

• A guide by Dr. Peter Langman, titled "The Guide to Insider References Used by School Shooters and Other Attackers," compiles names, phrases, and symbols linked to previous attackers. This resource aims to help identify potential warning signs by recognizing these references. However, it is crucial to consider the context of such references in any threat assessment. Not every mention indicates violent intent; some may arise from academic work or general interest in school safety.
• The Concerning Indicators and Symbolism Reference Guide for Schools serves as a resource by cataloging significant dates in history, concerning books and written materials, films and media referenced by violent actors, terms, acronyms, ideological symbols, and other content and tools of concern.

These resources provide a helpful framework for identifying potential threats. However, an effective and thorough assessment must always consider the specific circumstances surrounding any red flags, the individual's overall behavioral patterns, and all other available information.

Legislative Update

Effective April 2, 2025, the statutory requirement for schools to report specific crimes to the Michigan State Police Office of School Safety has been repealed. However, schools are still required to report crime and safety data to the Center for Educational Performance and Information.

An Important Reminder - You Can Help Keep Kids Safe! The Michigan Child Protection Law requires certain individuals, known as mandated reporters, to report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect to Children’s Protective Services (CPS). Mandated reporters include school administrators, social workers, counselors, and teachers. With the new school year beginning, schools are encouraged to participate in refresher training for mandated reporters. Training materials, including a training guide, can be found on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website, along with an updated list of trainers by county. It is important to remember that reporting through the OK2SAY student safety tipline is not sufficient. Proper reports must be submitted directly to CPS via the MDHHS Centralized Intake website or by calling 855-444-3911.

School Resource Officer Grant Program Spotlight: Fostering Safe, Welcoming Environments

The MSP OSS remains actively engaged in overseeing the Fiscal Year 2023 School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant Program, which provides support for nearly 200 SROs serving public schools, districts, and intermediate school districts across Michigan. Grantees have shared numerous compelling success stories, highlighting the positive impact these officers are having on students, school safety, and the overall culture within their educational communities.

Deputy Justin Burgess has made such an impact at Oakland Schools Technical Campuses. Deputy Burgess is a steadfast and valued figure on campus who is known for his regular interactions with staff, students, and visitors. Students frequently seek him out to chat – whether to share highlights from their day, talk sports, explore future career goals, or simply connect over life’s ups and downs. Whether he is visiting classrooms, walking the hallways, or connecting with individuals across the school, Deputy Burgess fosters a welcoming environment in which everyone feels at ease.

While some instructors, students, and families were initially uncertain about the role of Deputy Burgess, his steady presence, dedication, and thoughtful engagement have reshaped perceptions. Over time, the relationships he has built have become a testament to his commitment to the school community. Today, his presence is viewed as a cornerstone of the school’s positive and inclusive culture.

We thank Deputy Burgess and all the hardworking SROs in Michigan for being an integral part of our school communities and for continuing to make a positive impact every day.

Bridging the Gap: How SROs and OK2SAY are Building Safer Schools

Featuring: Deputy Shane Helmer, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer for Pine River Area Schools Deputy Shane Helmer's commitment to student safety extends far beyond the traditional role of law enforcement officer. As the SRO at Pine River Area Schools since January 2023, he has become an integral part of the school community by building trust and fostering a proactive approach to safety. "My main responsibilities are the safety and welfare of the students," Deputy Helmer explains. "I also assist staff and administrators with safety planning, drills, and breaking down the perception that law enforcement is unapproachable. I'm here to help students, whether they need assistance inside or outside of school." What Deputy Helmer enjoys most about his job is the ability to connect with students from all walks of life. "I get several students who come in just to talk, to blow off steam," he says. "They might be struggling at home or unsure about their future. I really enjoy being that person they can confide in." OK2SAY: A Proactive Tool for Prevention As a first responder to potential threats, Deputy Helmer recognizes the invaluable role OK2SAY plays in preventing incidents before they escalate. "OK2SAY provides information proactively, allowing people to report concerns without fear of backlash," he explains. "This allows us to investigate and intervene before a situation becomes critical." Real-World Impact Deputy Helmer has witnessed firsthand the effectiveness of OK2SAY in preventing harm. "We had two incidents within a couple of weeks where OK2SAY tips allowed us to intervene before the situation turned tragic," he recalls. "These students were frustrated and talking about harmful actions, but we were able to provide support before it was too late." Building a Culture of Safety and Trust Beyond immediate intervention, Deputy Helmer believes OK2SAY plays a crucial role in building a culture of safety and trust within the school community. "It empowers students to seek help, knowing their identity is protected," he explains. "When they see that the system works and their friends get the help they need, they are more likely to report concerns in the future." A Collaborative Approach Deputy Helmer emphasizes the importance of collaboration with school counselors, administrators, and other staff members when addressing OK2SAY tips. "When a tip comes in, I immediately contact the principal, vice principal, and counselor to gather background information," he says. "We work together to determine the appropriate course of action, whether it's immediate intervention or a planned conversation." This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all relevant parties are involved in addressing safety concerns, fostering a comprehensive and effective response. A Crucial Partnership Deputy Helmer's experience highlights the vital role SROs play in schools and the powerful impact of programs like OK2SAY. By working together, they are creating safer and more supportive environments for students. "The students we've helped through OK2SAY are now more likely to come talk to me directly," Deputy Helmer shares. "This demonstrates the trust that's being built and the positive impact of these collaborative efforts." Deputy Helmer's dedication underscores the importance of having SROs in schools building relationships and fostering trust. OK2SAY serves as a crucial tool in this effort, empowering students to seek help and creating a safer school community for everyone.

Featuring: School Resource Officer Jason Ferguson, City of Eaton Rapids SRO Jason Ferguson of the City of Eaton Rapids Police Department is strengthening trust with students and promoting school safety one locker at a time. Through a creative and impactful sticker initiative, Officer Ferguson is bringing vital safety resources directly to students while fostering a culture of awareness and communication. Brightly colored and easy to spot, the custom-designed stickers are placed inside student lockers and feature two important tools: information on OK2SAY, Michigan’s confidential student safety tipline; and Crime Stoppers Fast 50, a program that offers rewards of up to $50 for tips that lead to arrests in school-related incidents. “Students don’t always know where to turn when something doesn’t feel right,” said Officer Ferguson. “These stickers serve as a silent but powerful reminder that help is always available, and there are safe, confidential ways to speak up.” With positive feedback from students and staff, Officer Ferguson hopes to expand the initiative to more schools across the district and continue his mission to make safety visible and accessible to all.

🚨OK2SAY 2024 Annual Report: Record-Breaking Tip Volume Reflects Rising Student Safety Concerns

The 2024 OK2SAY Annual Report reveals a dramatic increase in student safety tips submitted across Michigan, signaling heightened awareness and engagement in protecting youth. Michigan’s student safety tipline received a record-breaking 11,671 tips in 2024 – a 20% increase over the previous year and the highest volume since OK2SAY’s launch in 2014. This milestone highlights the program’s growing importance in fostering safe school environments.

📊 Top Safety Concerns Reported

Tips spanned 25 distinct categories, with the five most frequently reported issues being:

• Bullying – 2,005 tips
• Suicide – 1,608 tips
• Other (anxiety, stress, depression, harassment) – 1,376 tips
• Drugs – 1,301 tips
• Sexual assault, misconduct, or exploitation – 1,059 tips

🛡️ Real-World Impact

OK2SAY tips led to meaningful interventions that directly improved school safety:

• 25 tips resulted in the confiscation of weapons.
• 228 tips led to the seizure of drugs or alcohol.
• 343 schools conducted a comprehensive behavioral threat assessment and/or a suicide assessment because of an OK2SAY tip.

These outcomes demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in identifying and addressing threats before they escalate.

📞 OK2SAY Emergency Contact Public Act 401 of 2020 requires every Michigan public and nonpublic school to provide the Michigan State Police (MSP) with at least one school official's emergency contact information biannually. This after-hours contact information allows OK2SAY technicians to efficiently communicate with school personnel about potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, employees, and schools.

The contact information is kept strictly confidential and is only accessed by technicians in the event of an after-hours emergency involving imminent danger to the safety or well-being of a student.

If your school has not yet done so, please provide this critical emergency contact information immediately by visiting the OK2SAY website and navigating to the Register School Contacts section.

The Michigan State Police Grants and Community Services Division, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention (IFIP), invite you to the 2025 Michigan Gun Violence Intervention Summit.

This two-day summit, dedicated to advancing gun violence intervention strategies in Michigan, will be held October 7 and 8, 2025, at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing. A networking event hosted by the University of Michigan IFIP will be held at the end of day one.

Event Registration and Accommodations

• Registration is free for the summit and includes breakfast and lunch both days.
• Room blocks have been secured at two area hotels for the nights of October 6 and 7, 2025. Paid parking is offered at both hotels.
  • Courtyard by Marriott – Call 517-367-6677 or use this link, to receive the discounted group room rate of $98 per night. Guests should use the group code MSPG when booking rooms. The cutoff date for reservations at this hotel is September 1, 2025.
  • Doubletree by Hilton – Call 833-904-2206. Guests should identify themselves as part of the MSP DIVISION MEETING group and provide reservation code 91C to receive the discounted group room rate of $98 per night. The cutoff date for reservations at this hotel is September 6,2025.
• The MSP team is working to obtain proper approvals for attendance to count toward continuing education units for teachers, and MCOLES continuing education credits for law enforcement.
• Questions can be emailed to Brittany Jeffers or she can be contacted at 517-614-0975.

Contact the Office of School Safety

Email:  MSP-SchoolSafety@michigan.gov

Website:  www.michigan.gov/officeofschoolsafety