 September 2026
Latest News
September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month, observed each September, highlights the importance of preparing for emergencies and building community resilience. This year’s campaign outlines proactive steps schools can take to strengthen preparedness, including by understanding risks, making emergency plans, and working with community partners. Explore K-12 emergency planning resources on SchoolSafety.gov and find additional materials and information on Ready.gov.
U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance on Education Technology
The U.S. Department of Education released new guidance to help states, districts, educators, families, and education technology providers make informed decisions about the responsible use of technology in classrooms. The guidance encourages a focus on instructional value over recreational engagement when selecting and using technological tools in school environments. Read the full guidance.
Bomb Threat Prevention and Response Resources
The back-to-school season can be a time when schools and districts experience an increase in bomb threats and other anonymous threats. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Office for Bombing Prevention provides a range of resources to support bomb threat preparedness and response efforts, including a quick reference guide and checklist, comprehensive planning guidance, and a variety of training programs. The Bombing Prevention Assistance for K-12 Schools two-pager summarizes these and other relevant products, tools, and trainings available to state, district, and school personnel.
Connecting Students to Mental Health Services and Crisis Support
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about and share resources that support suicide prevention. Take time this month to learn about the warning signs of suicide risk and remind students and educators about the mental health services available to them during difficult times. This includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7 confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Learn more and find additional school mental health resources on SchoolSafety.gov.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Grants and Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Deadlines
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program - Local Formula (Deadline: October 9)
Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (Deadline: October 15)
Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Grants Finder Tool for additional school safety funding opportunities.
Events, Webinars, and Conferences
Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment (November 18, January 20) – These virtual training events will highlight key findings from research on school violence prevention and provide guidance on how schools can develop or improve existing violence prevention programs using a behavioral threat assessment model.
Visit the SchoolSafety.gov Events Page for additional school safety webinars, conferences, and trainings.
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School Safety Resources
After-Action Reports: Capturing Lessons Learned and Identifying Areas of Improvement
This fact sheet provides information, best practices, and resources to assist schools and districts in creating after-action reports following an emergency event or exercise.
Back-to-School Toolbox
This one-pager outlines resources, tools, checklists, and guides to inform or enhance school safety efforts.
Helping Youth Navigate Online Sextortion and Exploitation
This guide identifies key threats involving online exploitation and abuse and provides information and resources to support prevention and response.
Empower Vape-Free Youth Campaign
This campaign encourages middle and high school educators to speak with students about the risks of e-cigarettes, nicotine addiction, and how to avoid or quit vaping.
How to Talk About Mental Health: For Educators
This webpage provides information for educators on student mental health, including what to look for in student behavior and ways to support students and their families.
K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations: Getting Started Guide
This guide describes prevalent K-12 cyber threats and outlines four foundational steps that schools and districts can take to develop and improve their cybersecurity programs.
Visit SchoolSafety.gov for additional resources to support school safety and security.
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If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future School Safety Community Bulletins, please contact us at SchoolSafety@cisa.dhs.gov.
SchoolSafety.gov Disclaimer
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Education (ED), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) do not endorse any individual, enterprise, product, or service. DHS, ED, DOJ, and HHS do not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described in this communication. DHS, ED, DOJ, and HHS do not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information outside of those respective Departments, and the opinions expressed in any of these materials do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of DHS, ED, DOJ, and HHS.
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