- From the Executive Director
- “Choices” Screening
- School Safety Grants
- Safer Schools Task Force
- 2022-23 Consolidated Data Report
- Parent Tips
- SRMP Training
- SAVE Promise Club Youth Summit
- YMHFA Training
- Executive Director Tours
- Calendar of Events
- Follow Us
- Tell Us About It
On 24 January, the Center for Safer Schools was honored to inform 230 public-school units that they were awarded a total of $35 million in 2023-24 School Safety Grants. The funding – generously provided by the General Assembly – will be used for safety equipment, training and services for students in crisis.
The Center received in monetary requests nearly four times the amount awarded. I want to thank the School Safety Grant Committee, who took time out of their busy schedules to ensure that the grant applications were thoughtfully and thoroughly reviewed. I also want to recognize CFSS Assistant Director-Physical Security Karen Everett, who once again coordinated the grant-reviewing process.
Read more about the grants later in this newsletter. Click here for a list of recipients.
On 25 January, the Center held simultaneous screenings throughout the state of the film “Choices” as part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The film highlights the grooming area of human trafficking, and it sparked great conversation. We also received requests about sharing our Educating Kids About Gun and Gang Violence (EKG2) program, which definitely is a plus.
I want to recognize CFSS Social Work Consultant Michelle Guarino and Dr. Stephanie Ellis for their work in developing the presentation that was used in the statewide screenings. The presentation included insightful information on human trafficking. They also created a handout containing valuable resources to help parents talk to their children about human trafficking and how to identify the signs.
Read more about the screenings later in this newsletter. Click here to view the parent handout.
On 31 January, I presented before the N.C. State Board of Education the 2022-23 Consolidated Data Report. Read more about the CDR later in this newsletter.
This month, visit the Center for Safer Schools on social media for posts discussing Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Click here to view my monthly video message on YouTube, which for February focuses on Black History Month.
Thank you for your cooperation to help keep our schools safer.
— Karen W. Fairley
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 ABOVE: Amy Lowder addresses grooming during the "Choices" screening at West Cabarrus High School in Concord on Thursday, Jan. 25. (Submitted photo). BELOW: Center for Safer Schools Social Work Consultant Michelle Guarino speaks about human trafficking during the "Choices" screening at the Education Building in Raleigh. (CFSS photo)
"Choices" Screening
The Center for Safer Schools on Thursday, Jan. 25 held simultaneous screenings throughout the state of the film “Choices” as part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of grooming as it relates to human trafficking.
The screenings at each location were facilitated by a CFSS representative, who introduced the film and led a discussion about human trafficking.
CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley was pleased to see the statewide interest.
"Human trafficking targets people in every demographic. No matter where you are in North Carolina, there is an impact,” she said.
"We plan to continue the conversation and to raise awareness long after the end of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.”
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“Choices” is usually shown on Day 1 of the CFSS’ Educating Kids About Gun and Gang Violence (EKG2) program. EKG2 teaches seventh-grade students about the potential legal, medical and emotional consequences of youth gun possession, substance abuse, sexting and grooming. “Choices” challenges youth to consider safe options when situations arise.
LEFT: Dr. Stephanie Ellis (first row, second from right) stands with attendees at the "Choices" screening at Morehead High School in Eden. (Submitted photo)
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 Attendees at the "Choices" screening at Turlington School Auditorium in Raeford. (CFSS photo)
 Dawn Craft speaks during the "Choices" screening at Brunswick Community College in Bolivia. (Submitted photo)
Two hundred thirty North Carolina school districts and charter schools will benefit from $35 million in safety grants announced Wednesday, Jan. 24 by the Center for Safer Schools.
The funding will be used for safety equipment, training and services for students in crisis. Safety equipment covered by this grant includes items such as cameras, vape detectors, radios and weapons detection systems. Training can include school safety trainings as well as professional development for school leaders to assist students who are experiencing anxiety and/or trauma.
CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley said each application was thoroughly reviewed.
“It is part of the Center’s mandate and mission to give public-school units the tools they need to help keep their schools safer – that includes grant funding,” she said. “We thank the General Assembly for its generous appropriation that enables us to support North Carolina public schools.”
Funding for the hiring and training of school resource officers was a continuation of the $33 million in SRO funding awarded in October 2022 for the 2022-23 school year.
Awards are subject to all administrative and financial requirements, including timely submission of all financial and programmatic reports; resolution of all interim audit findings; and adherence to allowable expenses.
A list of public-school units that were awarded 2023-24 School Safety Grant funding can be found here.
 Deputy State Superintendent of District and School Support Services Dr. Jeremy Gibbs (left) speaks to members of the Safer Schools Task Force during its quarterly meeting Wednesday, Jan. 24 in Raleigh. (CFSS photos)
Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley provided updates to the Safer Schools Task Force during its quarterly meeting Wednesday, Jan. 24 in Raleigh.
Fairley briefed the Task Force on upcoming initiatives such as Alternative Learning Programs and Schools, which was recently assigned to the CFSS. One of her goals is to remove the perception that ALPS is negative, as it is simply “another environment” for students.
“We want to do what’s best for our children,” she said. “This is just a better way for some children to learn.”
Deputy State Superintendent of District and School Support Services Dr. Jeremy Gibbs told the Task Force of his personal connection with school safety, as his wife and two children are in the schools daily.
“Keeping students safe has always been Job 1,” he said. “Being part of the solution is that everybody has to talk about where we are.”
The Safer Schools Task Force serves as an advisory body to the CFSS. Its members are composed of appointed stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers, school administrators, law enforcement, juvenile justice professionals and mental health professionals.
The Task Force’s next quarterly meeting will be held Wednesday, April 24 in Raleigh.
 Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley (left) gives updates during the Task Force meeting.
On Wednesday, 31 January 2024, I presented to the N.C. State Board of Education the 2022-23 Consolidated Data Report (CDR). This report is required by law to be given to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee in the General Assembly.
Although the numbers have increased as it relates to school crime and violence; suspensions and expulsions; and reassignments for disciplinary reasons, we are confident that our public-school units are working toward safer schools. We at the CFSS are here to provide our PSUs with support through training, technical assistance and resources.
When State Superintendent Catherine Truitt offered me the role as executive director of the CFSS, she empowered me to do what was best to ensure ALL students in North Carolina would be and feel safer in an environment conducive for learning. We started our work by looking at the previous year’s CDR and noting that we needed to support PSUs in improving consistencies in incident reporting.
We accomplished this with help from our N.C. Department of Public Instruction Data, Reporting and Privacy Section and some key districts in creating guidance and standard definitions for system codes, producing over 15 hours of recorded videos to walk PSUs through how to enter data; common mistakes made; best practices to avoid under- and over-reporting; and other things that we recognized needed to be addressed.
We recognize that when a PSU implements and uses measures – such as SROs, camera systems and metal detectors – to prevent and detect crime, it probably will impact statistics by making negative behaviors more apparent, thus increasing the number of reportable offenses.
We welcome a true picture of the numbers so we know how best to support our PSUs so that we can achieve everyone’s goal of lower numbers and safer environments conducive for learning.
– Karen W. Fairley, Center for Safer Schools Executive Director
How to support a teenager who has been exposed to violence
- Provide them with a positive adult-teenager relationship.
- Be an open and unconditional listener.
- Encourage them to participate in seeking professional support and making safety plans.
- Find ways to create opportunities for positive and trusting relationships.
- Ask how they are feeling, focus on listening and let them know you are there for them.
- Let them know there are support options available.
- Help them get involved in things they enjoy and that boost self-esteem and mental well-being, such as hobbies, sports and regular exercise.
The Center for Safer Schools will hold in-person and online School Risk Management Plan trainings during the 2024 spring semester.
In-person sessions at the Training Center in Moore County will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 7; Wednesday, March 6; and Thursday, April 4.
Online sessions via Webex will be held from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6; Tuesday, March 5; and Wednesday, April 3.
After completing SRMP training, attendees will be able to:
- Input site-based school data to develop a comprehensive schematic diagram and plans into the SRMP portal.
- Both identify and discuss vulnerabilities and training gaps in their individual plans.
- At least once annually initiate a full schoolwide tabletop exercise on the procedures documented in the SRMP portal.
To obtain the most beneficial training within the SRMP system, charter school personnel should ensure that their school has been loaded into the SRMP and that they have an active NCID and are able to log into SRMP. LEA personnel should make sure they can log into SRMP using their NCID.
If you are not able to log in, click here to try to reset your NCID password first.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop, as they will receive technical guidance to ensure their plans meet the necessary state requirements. All sessions noted above are the same.
For more information on SRMP training, send an email to CFSS Assistant Director-Physical Security Karen Everett.
Sandy Hook Promise will celebrate 35 years of students taking action during the 2024 SAVE Promise Club Youth Summit in Charlotte. The event will be held Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at West Charlotte High School, 2219 Senior Drive.
The annual gathering of SAVE Promise Club youth leaders showcases best practices in preventing violence and helping young people feel connected, and make schools and communities safer with youth-led workshops, peer-to-peer presentations, group activities and guest speakers.
The Youth Summit is a time for youth voices to be heard in workshops and activities that encourage, educate, engage and empower youth with violence prevention strategies.
Click here for more information. Click here to register.
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Are you part of a tribal school or youth-serving organization that wants to implement Youth Mental Health First Aid? Are you implementing Youth Mental Health First Aid in tribal or rural schools or youth-serving organizations and would like instructor support?
YMHFA-related technical assistance and support could look like:
- School-specific or community mentorship and support
- On-site training modeling and mentoring
- Coaching and technical assistance
Technical assistance topics can include:
- Integrating YMHFA into your tribal community, tribal-serving youth organization and/or school
- Understanding the differences between the standard YMHFA course and the Tribal Communities and Indigenous Peoples Community Specific Course
- Resources to market and outreach to tribal leaders, school leaders, youth-serving organizations and programs
- Understanding historical and intergenerational trauma, the resilience of indigenous peoples and the implications of these with YMHFA
- Trauma-informed facilitation skills for YMHFA
- Adult-learning skills for YMHFA
- Navigating Connect: setting up and closing out a course
- Supporting a training group when there has been a community trauma (suicide, loss, etc.)
- Developing your community resource packet for YMHFA
- Developing relevant examples to share in your training (data, etc.)
- Integrating rural data, research and resources into YMHFA within your community
- Resources to market and outreach to rural schools and youth-serving organizations
- Meetings with other communities, schools and/or tribes navigating similar work to share best practices and successes
- Instructor support teaching YMHFA: challenges with timing, specific content, audience challenges, etc.
- Auditing a YMHFA course with a national trainer to gain tips and strategies to add to teaching notes
Start by taking this survey to share more about what your needs are. For program information, send an email to Ruby Brown-Herring with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley will resume her tours of North Carolina school districts and charter schools through mid-May. She would like to see anything public-school units want to showcase regarding school safety. For school districts, this includes stops at an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. Fairley also would like to take time to talk with a small group of students. To request a tour, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.
School Risk Management Plan Training
(Registration is free)
- Tuesday, Feb. 6; 2-4 p.m.: Register
- Wednesday, Feb. 7; 10 a.m.-noon; 3600 Samarcand Road, Jackson Springs: Register
The Center for Safer Schools welcomes newsletter submissions about school safety events from school districts and charter schools across North Carolina. Email your information and photos to CFSS Public Relations Specialist Charles Kinnin.
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