The following information is from the Office of School Safety (OSS):
Critical Incident Response Teams Are Available to Support Your School
A new free resource is available to all schools if they experience a traumatic event. When critical incidents or crisis events occur in a school, quick access to effective resources that minimize the traumatic impact on our students and staff is essential. We have prioritized the need for prompt, efficient, evidence-based crisis interventions to promote recovery after a crisis event through the creation of 12 regionally based critical Incident response teams across Wisconsin. The teams are comprised of multidisciplinary volunteers trained in crisis response and intervention.
If a critical incident occurs within a school community, a Critical Incident Response Team is available to work with the school-based team to supplement the resources and the support networks that are already in place. The response can vary from a phone consultation with a school district to partial and/or full on-site deployment of Critical Incident Response Team members with crisis intervention expertise. We will work with the impacted school to understand the needs of the school community and provide a right sized, solutions-oriented approach to crisis response and recovery that “does no harm”.
If your school has been impacted by a critical incident and there is a need for additional resources within your school community, you can contact us in two ways:
A toll-free phone number: 1-800-MY-SUSO-1 (1-800-697-8761)
Email address: schoolsafety@doj.state.wi.us
Announcing: School Safety Consultants
We are actively working to support schools in their school safety planning efforts. We have newly created school safety consultant OSS team members that will be reviewing ACT 143 Sharefile submissions for each school, providing each school with the results of that review. Our goal is to be a resource in effective school safety planning. We will coach schools to compliance with the Act 143 requirements, while providing model practice resources and support as schools work to improve their school safety plans.
Opportunity for Wisconsin High Schools: Youth Led Violence Prevention Initiative
Wisconsin high schools are being invited to participate in free school safety program sponsored by the U.S. Department Homeland Security Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) this coming school year. Invent2Prevent (I2P) challenges students in a club, class or independent study to create and implement peer-developed initiatives, products and tools to prevent targeted violence and hate in ways ‘they believe’ will be most effective in their schools and communities. These experiential projects are developed by youth, for youth.
The program is free of charge. Invent2Prevent is managed by EdVenture Partners and the McCain Institute who work with Wisconsin students throughout the entire project period in a guiding, mentoring and coaching capacity. Additionally, the top three teams are awarded an all-expense trip to Washington, DC to present, compete for prize money, and seniors are even encouraged to apply for scholarship money for college tuition.
Onboarding for this program has begun. Three Wisconsin high schools will be accepted for this opportunity on a first come first served basis. If you have an interest in learning more, please contact Tony Sgro, CEO of EdVenture Partners at tony@edventurepartners.com as well as 415.264.7666.
View the Invent2Prevent Website Here
9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Resources
Simply calling or texting 988 or chatting 988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for stressful situations. #988Lifeline #WisconsinLifeline
Would you like to share this information with your school community? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created a one-stop shop, the 988 Partner Toolkit, at samhsa.gov/988. It provides key messages, FAQs, logo, brand guidelines, social media shareables, wallet cards, magnets, media end cards, and other resources that educated on the basics of 988.
Free Training Opportunities
Registration is open for our revised and updated one day Basic Threat Assessment Course. Trainings are currently scheduled in Wauwatosa and Waunakee.
Grant Opportunities
Critical Incident Mapping
Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 Digital Mapping of School Buildings-2022. The project period for this funding opportunity is July 1st, 2022 – June 30th, 2024. Applications will only be accepted in Egrants.
The passage of 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 amends 2017 Wisconsin Act 143, now allowing school boards, governing bodies of private schools, charter schools, and tribal schools to submit digital maps of their school buildings, (in lieu of blueprints) to the Office of School Safety to comply with 2017 Wisconsin Act 143 and 2021 Wisconsin Act 109.
With this update, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) – Office of School Safety (OSS) is seeking applications from school boards, governing bodies or private schools, charter schools and tribal schools interested in obtaining reimbursed funds for critical incident mapping data.
Applicants do not have to be compliant with requirements of 2017 Wisconsin Act 143 to apply. All applicants must be 2017 Wisconsin Act 143 and 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 compliant before the conclusion of the grant period.
The grant announcement is available here
Questions regarding the grant? Email schoolsafetygrants@doj.state.wi.us
FY 2022 Youth Violence Prevention Program (Deadline: August 29, 2022)
The Youth Violence Prevention Program solicitation provides funding for applicants to develop and enhance strategies to prevent youth violence, including youth gang or group involvement and youth gang or group violence. Deliverables from this program include the development of new direct service programs or the enhancement of existing programs for youth with multiple risk factors for violence.
The U.S. Department of Justice is hosting a solicitation webinar on July 27 at 2:00 pm Eastern. The webinar will provide a general overview of the program, the goals and objectives, a discussion about the application process, and a Q&A opportunity for participants.
To access additional information on this grant as well as find a full list of funding opportunities with upcoming application deadlines, please click here. You can also navigate the Grants Finder Tool’s various features to search for additional grants related to school safety. If you have any questions, please contact our team at SchoolSafety@hq.dhs.gov.
