T4PA School Safety State Initiative
Updates for LEAs—November 16, 2020
LEA-Friendly Newsletter
Top Questions to the State Initiative
We plan to update frequently, so we encourage LEAs to check back often for updated content. Click the image below to preview.
Christoval ISD in Region 15 Recognized by “I love u guys”
Safety Audits / DAR — UPDATED Deadlines & Resources
- Districts' DAR report due to TxSSC on December 31, 2020
- Current audit cycle: September 1, 2017 - October 31, 2020
- Next audit cycle: November 1, 2020 - August 31, 2023
- Mandatory Safety Audits TAA: October 15, 2020
SSSP Team / Threat Assessment
- Districts' SSSP Team Qualtrics Survey Report due to TEA on November 30.
Human Trafficking - School Board Training
TASB and Protect Texas are currently offering approved School Board training. The requirements for school board training can be found in 19 TAC 61.1051.
School Safety Tabletop Exercises
Scenario-based training exercises, often referred to as tabletop exercises, are an effective way to improve campus safety and security. Stakeholders can test a campus’ emergency plans. It forces people to think without having to be in a real situation where it might be too late.
Campus Safety Magazine currently has three scenarios that set the scene for the day and describes the event in detail, along with the actual outcome of the scenario and findings from an after-action review. They are designed to be completed in 10-15 minutes. School districts could use this type of training with SSSP teams, and/or Safety and Security committee, and/or other staff. See tabletop exercises Here.
A brand new 3-minute animate from Texas Christian University that accurately, succinctly, and artfully describes the realities of child sexual exploitation and how we can help survivors heal. Please help us distribute it far and wide to help us educate and empower the public to engage effectively in the fight!
Talking to Children about Child Sexual Abuse
Talking to Children about Child Sexual Abuse
November 19, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EST
Gain an understanding of child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention and review/evaluate different programs available to protect children. Identify what works and what doesn’t in prevention programs and discuss how to talk to children about CSA. Gather new resources for working with children with significant disabilities as well as research on CSA programs.
Click this registration link to get signed up.
National Criminal Justice Training Center
This training is not specific to schools and trafficking but appears to provide an overview of what's effective in sexual abuse prevention education for students.
US Department of Homeland Security
TXSSC Virtual Trainings
All virtual trainings will be provided through the Zoom online meeting/webinar platform.
Campus Safety Conference
Save the Date for Campus Safety Conference Texas 2021!
July 21-23, 2021 | Marriott Rivercenter, San Antonio, TX
Trauma-Informed Training—Project Restore
Participants who watch these videos can receive certificates. These videos will count toward trauma/grief informed training requirements for school staff. Click here to go to the website: Texas Project Restore
SHARS Telehealth Expanded Services
For more information see the TEA School Health and Related Services SHARS Program site.
Eligible telehealth services include:
- Audiology services
- Counseling/ Psychological services *
- Occupational therapy*
- Physician services
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy*
Contact:
TEA - Angela Foote | Financial Compliance Division
(512) 463-6639
The CARES Act Equitable FAQ (11/11/2020) Posted
Federal Program Compliance Division Updates
Save the Date — 2021 ESSA Institute
The 2021 ESSA Institute is scheduled for March 29-30, 2021, from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at the Courtyard by Marriott in Pflugerville, Texas. Program meetings will be held on March 31, 2021, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Registration for the event will be done online through Region 16 ESC.
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Guidance on Documentation for Stakeholder Meetings
In recognition of the need for increased flexibility in how LEAs are to document participation in virtual meetings, the division is including the following statement in its guidance to ESCs and LEAs:
“Given the increased use of virtual meeting environments during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years, participant rosters that include the meeting title, meeting date, and stakeholder names and roles would be acceptable substitutes for the more traditional sign-in sheets. This eliminates the need of a participant signature.”
The Documentation Matrices that are posted on the Random Validation website will be updated accordingly.
U.S. Department of Education Releases Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide
The U.S. Department of Education released a new Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, a resource to help parents and guardians understand how digital tools can provide tailored learning opportunities, engage students with course materials, encourage creative expression, and enrich the educational experience. This is only a resource to share with your LEAs at your discretion.
CARES PNP FAQ Document Posted
TEA’s COVID-19 Support: District Waivers, Finance & Grants page has the most up-to-date CARES ACT Equitable Services FAQ document.
CARES Act Funding and COVID Expense Reimbursement FAQ Document Update Posted
TEA’s COVID-19 Support: District Waivers, Finance & Grants page has the most up-to-date CARES Act Funding and COVID Expense Reimbursement FAQ document.
COVID-19 FAQ Document Posted
TEA’s COVID-19 Support: District Waivers, Finance & Grants page has the most up-to-date Federal Funding and Grants FAQ document.
Resources LEAs and ESCs May Find Helpful
NEW
- YMHFA - Assisting Someone Distressed by the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Supporting Children and Teens during this Holiday Season
- Helping Children with Traumatic Separation or Traumatic-Grief Related to COVID-19
- Holidays, Celebration and Traumatically Bereaved Children
School Safety and Mental Health
- Suicide Prevention
- Early Mental Health Intervention
- Mental Health Promotion
- Substance Abuse Prevention
- Substance Abuse Intervention
- Trauma-Informed & Grief Informed Practices
- Social/Emotional Skills
- Positive Behavior Interventions
- Child Abuse Prevention
- Human Trafficking
- School Safety
- Mental Health and Behavioral Health
- Safe and Supportive School Climate
- Counseling and Mental Health Services of the Coordinated School Health Model
- Health, Safety, & Discipline
Training
COVID-19
Visit Our Websites
Don't forget to go to the password-protected ESC resources page on the School Safety State Initiative website for constantly-updated documents and guidance.
TEA TIV, Part A: School Safety State Initiative
TEA Title IV, Part A: Student Support & Academic Enrichment
Contacts
Nancy Galle, Title IV Part A School Safety Consultant
Taylor Marshall, Intern
Email: rpruitt@esc14.net
Website: https://www.esc14.net/page/t4si
Location: 1850 State Highway 351, Abilene, TX, USA
Phone: 325-675-8600
Copyright © 2020. Texas Education Agency. All Rights Reserved.