Advancing Our Mission: A New Website and Enhanced Resources to Support Comprehensive School Safety
- Michele Gay
- 10 minutes ago
- 4 min read
This is a day I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time! Anyone who’s been through a website redesign knows it can be quite the adventure. From big-picture goals like keeping our mission front and center and making resources easier to access, to reevaluating (and sometimes overthinking) every little detail, it’s a process and a project that requires a lot of teamwork.
I am so proud of the Safe and Sound team and absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of our newly revamped website!
As part of our ongoing mission to support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, we're committed to keeping our community informed, engaged, and supported with the latest resources for comprehensive school safety. This refreshed website is a big step forward in helping to protect every school and every student, every day.
We’ve worked hard to improve functionality, accessibility, and the overall user experience, making it easier than ever to find the information and support you need–and we’re just getting started. We’ve got a lot of big additions set to drop! Below is a quick look at of some of the areas we’ve focused on to enhance your experience. Be sure to stay tuned for more regular updates and exciting additions—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s new!
Speaker’s Bureau Database: Connecting You with Experts
One of the most exciting new features of our revamped website is the updated and enhanced Speakers Bureau Database with new filtering options and, coming soon, new speaker profile pages (sign up to be the first to know!). This will serve as your go-to resource for booking expert speakers and trainers on topics related to school safety, student wellness, and leader support. Whether you’re planning a community event, school assembly, or professional development session, the Safe and Sound Speakers Bureau connects you with the experienced educators, practitioners, and community advocates who can offer guidance, share knowledge, and inspire action on your campus. Check out the updated directory to find speakers who match your needs, and easily inquire about booking!
The Sound Off on School Safety Podcast: Listen and Learn with Us
Our Safe and Sound Schools podcast is a powerful resource for all members of a school community to stay informed and inspired, with every episode featuring meaningful conversations, real-world insights, and actionable advice. Whether you’re a parent, educator, SRO, school administrator, or community stakeholder, there’s something for everyone in our 2025 lineup. You can check out full episode guides on our blog and listen to each episode on your favorite podcast platform. Our most recent releases include:
Safety Through Community: Bystander Reporting with Lindsay Burton
Featuring Lindsay Burton, the Associate Director for School Safety at CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), this episode dives into the transformative role of bystander reporting in school safety – including how these systems create trusted pathways for school communities to speak up and why culture and connection matter just as much as technology.
Digital For Good: Helping Kids Stay Safe Online with Kim Karr
In this episode, Kim Karr, co-founder of Digital4Good, joins the podcast to discuss the real impact of digital citizenship, student empowerment, and practical online safety. From fake accounts to digital addiction, listeners will discover how schools can equip students to lead the charge in creating safer, more positive online communities.
Weapons Detection in K-12 Schools: Key Context and Layered Strategies with Tom McDermott
In this conversation with Tom McDermott, a recognized expert in detection technology, we unpack key context around what weapons detection really means for K-12 schools. We discuss why it’s not just about metal detectors but about layered security strategies and thoughtful implementation.
Grooming 101: Red Flags, Abuse Patterns, and Keeping Kids Safe with Michelle Denault
In our most recent episode, I sat down with Michelle Denault, a survivor of educator sexual abuse, for an extensive and insightful discussion on the realities of grooming, how predators manipulate trust, and how we can build safer environments for our children. Michelle’s powerful story is a must-listen, offering practical insights into how communities can recognize and respond to grooming behaviors to protect kids from harm.
Highlighted Programs: Focusing on What Matters Most
We’ve also taken this opportunity to highlight our most impactful projects and signature programs on the new site. Whether you’re looking to address the basic needs of students within your community, implement programing to support inclusive school safety or better understand and leverage tools like MTSS to keep your campus safe, we’ve made it easier to find exactly what you need, as well as get in contact with us for trainings and consultation.
We’ve also highlighted some recent additions to our team who are actively working on taking these projects and programs to the next level. I invite you to learn more about Dr. Joe McKenna and Ben Fernandez on the blog!
Bonus: Stay Tuned for the Upcoming Relaunch of The Averted School Violence Database
We are excited to share on the heels of the Safe and Sound Schools revamp, comes a new site for the Averted School Violence Project. Since the Averted School Violence Project became part of Safe and Sound Schools, we have been focused on enhancing its functionality and impact, increasing opportunity for the prevention of school violence through powerful data, insights and lessons learned. We can’t wait to share another update with you on this soon!
Thank You for Joining Us in This Next Chapter
The launch of this revamped site isn’t just about a new look—it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to providing fresh, relevant, and powerful content to our community.
We encourage you to take a look around the new site, explore the updated features, and connect with us in new ways. We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to providing you with the tools and support you need to ensure that every student and every school are safe every day.
With excitement and gratitude,
Michele