ESC Region 12 Safe & Healthy School
8/17/21 The More You Know
Region 12, Safe and Healthy Schools Training Dates
September 8, 9-4, session #246127
Heartsaver CPR/AED and First aid for school staff
September 9, 9-12, session #245601
Elementary Counselor Best Practice Institute: Childhood 2.0, SEL, Culture & Diversity
September 9, 1-4, session #245606
True Colors Training for Educators and Counselors
September 9, 9-12, session #249187
Heartsaver CPR/AED for school staff
September 10, 9-1, session #236004
Diabetes training for unlicensed school personnel
September 13, 9-11, session #245753
Diabetes Revies for UDCAs
September 21, 9-11, session #248319
Safe and Healthy Schools Series + Office Hours
September 21, 1:30-3:30, session #233643
EOP Workday
September 27, 12-1, session #248466
School Board Human Trafficking
October 5, 9-11:30, session #239275
Human Trafficking for Superintendents
Online, On-Demand Courses
- Human Trafficking for Superintendents, session #252332
- Human Trafficking for School Boards, session #252323
- SB 11: The Omnibus School Safety Bill Canvas Course, session # 252334
- School Crisis Response & Communication During the Pandemic: Canvas Series, session #251154
*Watch our live calendar at https://tinyurl.com/23d8cp2r
Training available to schedule on-site:
- Behavior Threat Assessment (to train your Threat Assessment/Safe and Supportive Schools Team)
- Digital Responsibility & Social Media Safety (to train your students)
- True Colors (offered for students and staff as a team-building/self-awareness opportunity)
- AS+K Suicide Prevention (to train staff)
- Youth Mental Health First Aid (to train staff)
- Trauma-Sensitive Schools (to train staff)
*Contact us for pricing and to schedule.
WORTHY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WORK
1. The ESCs have released A Guide to Statutory Professional Development/Training for Texas Public School Employees 2021.
This had been posted at https://www.esc14.net/page/t4si_District_LEAs under the Required Training Tab.
TASB should be releasing their guide later this month.
2. Cyberbullying in Schools: Meta-Analysis Finds That Tailored Programming Protects Students
Schools are in prime position to help stop cyberbullying of or by students. But not all school-based bullying programs have the same impact.
An NIJ-funded meta-analysis of 90 independent interventions found that programs specifically designed to prevent or curb cyberbullying are better at reducing cyberbullying than general anti-bullying programs.
3. The National Center for School Safety is pleased to announce the release of our new school safety podcast: Progress Report.
Progress Report is a school safety podcast covering the latest best practices, evidence-based programs, and other topics of interest to the school safety community. In our first podcast series, guests describe the importance of having a Comprehensive School Safety Plan, explain different perspectives on school safety, and highlight the connections between school safety strategies. The first episode, “What is School Safety?” is available now. In episode one, we ask guest speakers what school safety means to them and then have a conversation with National Center for School Safety Co-Directors.
Episode 1 Guest Speakers:
- Nicole Hockley, Sandy Hook Promise
- Danny Carlson, National Association of Elementary School Principals
- Katherine Schweit, Attorney, Retired FBI Agent, & School Safety Expert
- Chris Melde, Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice
- Justin Heinze, National Center for School Safety
- Marc Zimmerman, National Center for School Safety
4. From Texas Trauma Sensitive Schools....
- Classroom WISE - Free online training for educators about Mental Health Literacy developed by MHTTCs and the NCSMHI.
- ABC Summit Registration Link - Free online Conference in partnership with TEA, South Southwest MHTTC, HHSC, & Juvenile Justice. The summit will occur each Thursday in September from 10:00-1:00. Please share with your ESC colleagues and LEAs. Everyone is invited.
5. From the Department of Education Office of Safe and Supportive Schools....
Community Violence Intervention Webinar Series
The recording and slides of the second webinar, “Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Webinar Series Part 2: Place-based Approaches to CVI,” are now available. During this webinar, presenters discussed CVI efforts in the context of a place-based approach. Framed in the social ecological model, place-based approaches can reduce and prevent community violence and crime by enhancing and maintaining the physical characteristics of settings where people come together in order to foster social interaction, strengthen connectedness, and increase collective efficacy (e.g., shared trust among residents and willingness to intervene). Presenters highlighted the importance of community engagement within place-based approaches and discussed how incorporating community revitalization efforts, such as increasing green spaces and addressing abandoned buildings can reduce and prevent community violence.
The recording and slides of the first webinar, “Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Webinar Series Part 1: Evidence-based Theory and Research on CVI,” are also available for viewing.
6. More from the Department of Education Office of Safe and Supportive Schools....
In April 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced historic investments in community violence intervention (CVI) efforts to combat the gun violence epidemic. As part of the Administration’s efforts to support communities seeking to implement or expand CVI efforts, subject matter experts will present on CVI-related topics in a series of webinars. This webinar series is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House Domestic Policy Council.
The third webinar, “Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Webinar Series Part 3: CVI in Practice” will take place on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET. During this webinar, leading CVI experts will share their on-the-ground experiences on how to implement CVI strategies within communities. This conversational panel will feature Anthony Smith from Cities United, Fatimah Loren Dreier from the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI), Anne Marks from Youth ALIVE!, and Ray Winans from Detroit Live. They will share insights on what communities should consider in order to effectively implement and sustain CVI efforts.
If you are interested in attending, please register for the event. Note that registration is limited, so please register as soon as possible. The webinar will also be recorded and available for viewing at a later date. You can also view the recording of the first and second CVI Webinar in this series.
If you have any questions, please contact BJANTTAC@ojp.usdoj.gov.
7. From FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness....
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSFEMA/bulletins/2ec170d?reqfrom=share
8. From MHTTC....
The beginning of the school year in this current phase of the COVID-19 epidemic, with the rise in cases in children and young adults due to the Delta variant, is a stressful and anxiety-provoking time. Not only is a return to in-person learning for many school districts a change from the primarily isolated, sheltered, and virtual ‘norm’ for the last 18 months, but many schools and districts are again grappling with decisions about masks and virtual learning options.
To help with the transition back to school, here is a list of resources developed by our MHTTC Network.
MHTTC Resources
- Back to School After COVID-19: Open Up with Optimism and Connection
- Behavioral Health Impacts During & After COVID-19: What to Expect and Ways to Prepare for the Return to In-Person Learning
- Best Practices and Helpful Considerations for Responding to Traumatic Stress in Schools for School Staff; HHS Region 8
- C-TLC | Back to School After COVID-19: Supporting Student and Staff Mental Health Toolkit
- C-TLC | Visioning for the Future of Education: Back to School after COVID-19–Supporting Student and Staff Mental Health
- Campus Mental Health: How do we Come Back to the New Normal?
- Identifying and Addressing Youth Anxiety in School-based Settings; HHS Region 8
- Managing Anxiety & The Return to School Webinar Series
- Northwest School Mental Health Newsletter: June 2020
- Strengthening School Communities for a Safe, Supportive Return: Part 2
- The Back-to-School Series: Supports for Staff, Student, & Families During COVID-19
- The Mental Health Impacts of Surviving COVID-19
- Webinar: Stress Management: The Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Latino Families
- What Now? Supporting Students after a Mental Health Crisis
9. The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities presents Collaborative & Proactive Solutions for Children
On August 19th at 10 a.m. (CST) GCPD will host Dr. Ross W. Greene with a session on Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) designed to help children with challenging behaviors. CPS is an evidence-based model of psychosocial treatment originated and developed by Dr. Greene. Rather than focusing on kids’ challenging behaviors (and modifying them), CPS helps kids and caregivers solve the problems that are causing those behaviors. The problem solving is collaborative (not unilateral) and proactive (not reactive), which is effective in improving behavior and enhancing skills. Not only that, but the CPS model has been shown to ensure that expectations are in line with a child’s capacities and dramatically reduce or eliminate discipline referrals, detentions, suspensions, and the use of restraint and seclusion.
Dr. Greene is the originator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model and author of the books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings.
Register for this August 19 presentation via Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0q8iGTNtRl6V8My9mBFAfQ
Sign language interpreters and real time captioning will be available. If you need other accommodations email GCPD@gov.texas.gov or call 512-463-5740.
10. News from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and TEA
Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Program
In partnership with TCEQ, TEA is providing notification to Texas public schools, prior to their program news release and other promotional activities, about an upcoming free statewide program to help schools conduct voluntary sampling and analysis for lead in your drinking water.
TCEQ’s Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Program provides a training, testing, and taking action approach to reducing exposure to lead in drinking water.
For more information:
- Visit www.texasleadtesting.org and sign up to receive program updates, or
- Email the TCEQ’s Program Coordinator at LTSCC@tceq.texas.gov.
Nurse's Corner
1. In-person vision and hearing screening training sessions are on the website now for sign-ups. See training sessions at the top of the newsletter or search by keyword in escWorks.
If you were one of those trained virtually last year for vision and hearing, practicum sessions with Paul Gonzalez from DSHS will be coming soon.
2. DSHS is not offering any spinal screening sessions at this time. Watch for updates. RNs can do them without training by using the information on the DSHS website.
3. COVID-19 News
TEA has published their newest Public Health Guidance.
Please note the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Rule for students who have COVID.
4. Michelle located a great resource from New York State Center for School Health and the section for Sample Health Services Forms and Notifications.
*Most of these documents are in Word or Excel so that they can be downloaded and edited for use.
5. From the TEA COVID Response Team....
The current K-12 COVID Testing Project (this was schools that did COVID testing AT the school on students, staff, family) will stop being supported by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) on September 15, 2021. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will roll out guidance for the 2021-2022 COVID-19 Testing Program in the coming weeks.
For districts and private schools already approved to receive tests under the K-12 COVID Testing Project, re-orders of COVID tests have not been permitted until 70% of existing tests have been reported. This limitation is being waived on a one-time basis to facilitate the re-order of supplies for the start of the school year. For the purposes of managing the remaining inventory, districts are permitted to request an amount of tests up to the amount (maximum) identified below. To place an order, email k-12logs@tdem.texas.gov. If extenuating circumstances require additional tests, please email us at: COVIDCaseReport@tea.texas.gov
Please refer to the following links to complete your COVID test orders and to view the Rapid Test Reordering Allocation Spreadsheet:
- August 2021 LEA Rapid COVID Testing Opt-In Application
- This application is intended for public schools that are not currently in the state-sponsored K-12 testing project. This application closes on Thursday, August 19, 2021(at 11:59 pm). Public schools that are already in the program DO NOT need to fill out this application.
- August 2021 Private Schools Rapid COVID Testing Opt-In Application
- This application is intended for private schools that are not currently in the state-sponsored K-12 testing project. This application closes on Thursday, August 19, 2021(at 11:59 pm). Public schools that are already in the program DO NOT need to fill out this application.
From the TxSSC...
- Advanced School Behavioral Threat Assessment Training – December 14, 2021
https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/adv-sbta-trainings/ - Advanced Digital Threat Assessment Training – December 15, 2021
https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/adv-dta-trainings/
2. The Texas School Safety Center is pleased to offer an in-person Advanced Digital Threat Assessment Training at the Region 12 Education Service Center on December 15, 2021. This training is for Safe and Supportive School Program Team members who are responsible for investigating online threats and have previously completed the Basic Digital Threat Assessment training through the Texas School Safety Center.
The training will build and expand significantly on the skills gained in the Basic Digital Threat Assessment training. Participants will leave with a concrete understanding of how to find and curate relevant digital information as is typically represented in a real-life digital threat assessment data gathering scenario. Major engagement and hands-on practice will take place as participants are assembled into investigative teams and given mock real-life scenarios.
https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/adv-dta-trainings/
Individuals must attend entire training to be eligible to receive seven hours TCOLE Credit.
Please Note: An Advanced School Behavioral Threat Assessment Training will take place the day before. If interested in attending, you must register separately for the training.
For more information about the training, please contact Laura Anaya Rodriguez at laura12@txstate.edu.
3. TCOLE #4064 Virtual Trainings
The Texas School Safety Center School-Based Law Enforcement (SBLE) Training Division will host 20 free virtual and 20 free in-person TCOLE #4064 trainings beginning September of 2021. The goal of this training is to assist SBLE officers and school districts with compliance with legislative mandates requiring districts employing a peace/resource officer to create a policy requiring officers to complete education and training.
These trainings will be 20 hours divided into two 10-hour days. We have updated training materials to ensure that participants receive the most current information available. Topics will include:
- Child and Adolescent Development and Psychology
- Mental Health Crisis Intervention and Cultural Competency
- De-escalation Techniques and Techniques for Limiting the Use of Force, Including the Use of Physical, Mechanical, and Chemical Restraints
- Mental and Behavioral Health Needs of Children with Disabilities or Special Needs
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, Conflict Resolution Techniques, and Restorative Justice Techniques
This training is open to school-based law enforcement, public ISDs, open-enrollment charter schools, junior colleges, and state agencies that support schools. Due to limited seating, vendors and contractors are not permitted to register or attend the training.
This training is free, but registration is required. Please register early for both virtual and in-person trainings.
Participants must attend the entire virtual or in-person training to be eligible to receive 20 hours TCOLE Credit.
For more information about the TCOLE #4064 trainings, please contact
Joe Munoz at joe.munoz@txstate.edu | 512.245.6827,
Sirenna Cumberland at scumberland@txstate.edu | 512.245.5856, or
Felisha Nauert at fbn@txstate.edu | 512.245.5284.
SAVE THE DATE for State and Nat'l Conferences
1. School Mental Health Summit - Virtual (Online Via Zoom)
Emerging Stronger and More Resilient: Learning from the COVID-19 Crisis
August 31 & September 1, 9:00am - 4:00pm ET
The Northeast & Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center will present this 2-Day Virtual Conference designed for K-12 educators and staff. This conference will highlight the voices of students and their thoughts about mental health and how schools can best support students. Additional sessions will focus on strategies to support student and educator wellness as we transition back to school. Topics will include trauma-informed approaches, addressing grief, transitioning back to school, strengthening partnerships with family and community, and staff self-care.
Attendance at the conference can be used toward your professional development hours. Certificates of Attendance will be provided.
After registering, you will receive a link to our conference website to access the direct Zoom webinar links to join each workshop session of the conference.
2. Register Now! October 14-15, 2021
The theme of this year’s conference is School Mental Health: Moving Forward Together. Each year, the Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health brings together leaders, practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders in the school mental health field to share the latest research, best practice, and innovation. The conference emphasizes a shared family-school-community agenda to bring high-quality, evidence-based mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention to students and families as part of a multi-tiered system of support.
Upcoming State Safe and Healthy School Deadlines
Public Schools should conduct a safety audit of facilities from September 2020 through August 2023.
Charter Schools should conduct a safety audit from September 2019 through August 2022.
2. District Audit Reports
At the culmination of the Safety Audit process, schools will be required to submit a District Audit Report to the Texas School Safety Center.
The Public School expected deadline is August 2023.
The Charter School expected deadline is August 2022.
3. Threat Assessment/SSSP
Collection period September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021 is due in November 2021 by Qualtrics survey (https://tinyurl.com/27fp2437).
Take a look at the proposed data to be collected (https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/november-2021-proposed-survey-questions.pdf).
Last cycle was due in November 2020 and covered September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020.
4. Emergency Operation Plans and Annexes
Can be requested at any time by TxSSC.
5. Vision, Hearing, Spinal Screening State Reports
Due to the state by June 30, 2021
8/2/21 The More You Know
7/26/21 The More You Know
7/19/21 The More You Know
ESC Region 12 MTSS Newsletter 1.5
State Initiative Website
District Resources
Title IV, Part A FAQs
Promoting School Safety & a Well-Rounded Education for all Students
Contact us!
Michelle Butler, Education Specialist/Nurse
Jeni Janek, Education Specialist III/Coordinator
Heather Wheeler, Education Specialist
Email: hwheeler@esc12.net
Website: esc12.net
Location: ESC Region 12, West Loop 340, Waco, TX, USA
Phone: 254-297-1166
Twitter: @R12SafeHealthy