Welcome, Ben Fernandez, to the Safe and Sound Team!

Safe and Sound Schools Welcomes Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Programs

Please join us in welcoming Ben Fernandez, who has joined the Safe and Sound team to further our mission of protecting every student and every school, every day.

Following a successful career as a school psychologist and crisis prevention specialist at K-12 districts in Northern Virginia, Ben joins our team to serve as Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Programs. He will be leveraging his experience to further develop signature Safe and Sound programs such as Pathways for Prevention and Especially Safe.

“Ben has been a close and valuable member of the Safe and Sound community for quite some time. It’s an honor to officially have him on board to support our mission and the development of our programs. He is both an incredible person and professional—his depth of mental and behavioral health experience in K-12 school environments will no doubt strengthen our work and our impact.”

-Michele Gay, Founder and Executive Director, Safe and Sound Schools

His career in school psychology and crisis intervention culminated in overseeing crisis response coordination for one of the largest school systems in the country. With this wealth of knowledge, Ben continues his commitment to improving student mental and behavioral health as a Lead PREPaRE trainer, as well as through training and speaking opportunities with the Safe and Sound Speakers Bureau.

“Having the opportunity to apply my depth of K-12 experience to meaningful programs and trainings that make a real impact in our schools—it’s a force multiplier. I’ve long admired Michele [Gay] and the team at Safe and Sound Schools, and joining the mission is truly a dream come true.”

-Ben Fernandez, Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Programs, Safe and Sound Schools

A widely recognized expert and leader in crisis prevention and intervention, Ben served as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) School Safety Crisis Response Committee chair. He has been named School Psychologist of the Year by the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists, School Psychologist of the Year by NASP, and received the NASP Presidential Award.

Ben has dedicated his career to and improving school safety and crisis response with the ultimate goal of cultivating safe and sound schools.

Here are a few places where you can get to know Ben and learn from his experience. Stay tuned for more from him and the Safe and Sound Schools team!

Being Prepared: The Role of School Crisis Teams (Podcast)

In this episode of the School Safety Today podcast, Ben speaks with host Dr. Amy about the crucial role of crisis teams in schools. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparedness, prevention, and relationship-building to effectively manage crises and ensure student wellbeing.

Professional Practice: Leadership Lessons for Strengthening Crisis Intervention Services

In the March/April 2025 issue of The National Association of School Psychologists Communiqué, Ben discusses the importance of crisis response teams continuously refining their skills and enhancing their ability to support students and schools after a traumatic event. Drawing from firsthand experience as a school psychologist, he shares valuable lessons that can be applied in a variety of settings. Note: This article is available exclusively to NASP members and requires login to access.