Safe and Sound Schools Annual Report serves as a testament to the significant milestones we’ve reached together and the invaluable partnerships helping us advance our mission of protecting every school, every student, every day. +160 keynote speeches delivered 26 U.S. states including Canada 100,000+ educators & leaders engaged 5,000,000 students impacted nationwide See how we’re advancing our mission to protect every school, every student, every day. The 2023 Safe and Sound Schools Annual Report serves as a testament to the significant milestones we’ve reached together and the invaluable partnerships helping us advance our mission of protecting every school, every student, every day. The steadfast commitment of our national community has helped us to serve over 16,000 school communities, engage 100,000 professionals and educational leaders, and positively influence the lives of over 5 million students across the nation. These milestones symbolize our collective dedication and unity in creating safe and sound schools. In this report, you will find information on the following: Our Mission The Safe and Sound Schools’ Comprehensive School Safety Framework Major Projects & Partners Violence Prevention & Research Programs Regional & National Events The Sound Off on School Safety Podcast The Safe and Sound Schools Speakers Bureau High Profile Appearances and Media DOWNLOAD REPORT SAFE & SOUND Partners Safe and Sound’s Trusted Partner Network 2023 SAFE AND SOUND SCHOOLS ANNUAL REPORT

Safe and Sound Schools is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving school safety through research-based programs, crisis preparedness, and community engagement. Explore expert resources, training, and advocacy to create safer learning environments. Safe and Sound Students is a program designed to help students learn and get involved in school safety. The program equips students with resources to help them become advocates, leaders, agents of change, and tools to help them navigate and address school safety issues. GET INVOLVED Simple ways to get started SEE SOMETHING Speak up for school safety. TEAM UP FOR SCHOOL SAFETY Recruit others and run your own projects. LEARN Feel more prepared and confident. RESOURCE LIBRARY Check out school safety topics STAND UP FOR SCHOOL SAFETY Start talking with your school’s administration NEWS HEADLINES Make sense of headlines and news MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD START A SAFE AND SOUND STUDENT CLUB Become a school safety leader. Safe & Sound STUDENTS

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The Safe and Sound Schools team of speakers, trainers, and experts. Our mission is to support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, and to protect every school and every student, every day. EXECUTIVE TEAM Michele Gay Founder & Executive Director Mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools®, Michele Gay chose to take action after losing her daughter Josephine Grace on December 14, 2012 in the Sandy Hook School tragedy. Since that time, Michele has channeled her work as an advocate, improving safety and security in schools and communities across our country. With a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Towson State University, Michele earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, she taught at the elementary level in the Maryland and Virginia public schools. Now a nationally and internationally recognized public speaker and school safety advocate, Michele speaks to audiences and consults with all levels of community institutions — schools; municipalities; houses of worship; educational and public safety leadership; state and federal governments; law enforcement agencies; and top news media sources. Through her work, and always with a goal of helping others increase the safety within their own communities, Michele shares her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned. The recipient of numerous national awards, Michele is a regular contributor for print, radio, and television outlets. Visionary, author, and co-author of Safe and Sound’s programs and materials, Michele has served as a stakeholder voice in national legislative discussions. Through these works, Michele continues to build Safe and Sound Schools® as a national hub of school safety education, technical assistance, expert content, and best practices. Michele’s impassioned position on school safety hinges on every community taking a comprehensive and sustainable approach to safety. She works diligently to unite stakeholders of all disciplines and perspectives. As an educator, mother, and survivor of tragedy, Michele is uniquely positioned to help others prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from tragedies of their own. Michele remains inspired by Josephine, every day. She dedicates herself to honoring Josephine’s memory through this work to ensure that every school, every child, and every community is truly safe and sound. Kim Vann Kim joined Safe and Sound Schools in 2019 and currently serves as the Deputy Director where she works collaboratively with the executive director, the board of directors, the staff, and Safe and Sound partners to advocate for and provide research-based education, tools, and resources to ensure the safest possible learning environment for our students. Kim ensures Safe and Sound Schools operates effectively by providing strategic and operational leadership in their mission to reach every community, to utilize resources that support school crisis prevention, response and recovery, and to protect each and every student in each and every school. Her transition to Safe and Sound Schools was natural, because she had already served as Executive Director and Co-Founder of Bright Futures USA Network, where she continues working closely with communities across the country, bringing together businesses, faith-based organizations, parent groups, and human resources to meet the needs of each student so they can succeed in school and beyond. Kim also served with the Joplin R-8 school district as the Executive Director of Communication and Community Development, where she was responsible for overseeing district communication, district development efforts, and community engagement efforts. She is a past president of Soroptimist International of Joplin. Kim has been honored with many awards over the years, including one of Joplin Tri-State Business Journal’s 2007 “10 Most Influential Women,” Joplin Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and Joplin’s 15 People to Watch. Kim is married to Joel, and they have two children. Prior to her work in education, she served as the Business Development Director for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for advocating for small business, and acted as the liaison between the Chamber’s small business members and Chamber leadership. Kim was responsible for many programs and services that served the Chamber membership. Kim sat on the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council for four years and also served on the American Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council. Deputy Director OUR STAFF Dr. Joseph McKenna Senior Director of Projects, Programs, and Training Ben Fernandez Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Programs Kate Reynolds Senior Director of Communications and Development Dr. Frank Straub Senior Director of Violence Prevention Research and Programs Brittani Keel Director of Special Events Jessica Vann Partnerships and Projects Manager Martha Gonzalez-Corona Visual Communications Specialist Nancy Mango Research Specialist Jennifer Honeycutt Bookkeeper Missy Dodds Speaker and Trainer Megan Erdmann Communications Manager Brian JK Regan Booking Agent Marie Gay Research and Special Projects Assistant Ashley Shead Event Support Specialist BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIRECTORS Bob Gay | Bob Martin | Adam Safir, Esq. | Susan Sawyer, Esq. CO-CHAIRS Tina Cantu JD, MBA, RN | Jim Murtha, Ph.D. TREASURER Mark Santamaria ADVISORS & PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTORS Stephen E. Brock, Ph. D Licensed Educational Psychologist Nationally Certified School Psychologist Author PREPaRE: Crisis Intervention and Recovery Lead Editor Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention Professor and School Psychology Program Coordinator Graduate and Processional Studies in Education California State University, Sacramento Sacramento, CA C.J. Huff Ed. D. Retired superintendent, Joplin, Missouri Special Advisor for Education and Community Leadership to Safe and Sound Schools Founder, Bright Futures USA Expert: U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students Expert: Missouri Center for Education Safety Senior Advisor for Education to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Hurricane Harvey Recovery Joplin, MO Mo Canady Executive Director National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Hoover, AL Jin Kim FBI (ret) Active Shooter Subject Matter Expert & Practitioner FBI/ALERRT & CRASE Tactical Instructor Law Enforcement Tactical Resolution Trainer FBI (ret) SWAT Operator and Observer/Sniper Founder & Principal of the PerSec Academy, LLC Julia Cook, M.S. Award-Winning Children’s Author Former Teacher and School Counselor International Speaker Parenting Expert Melissa Reeves, Ph. D. Senior Advisor School-based Mental Health and Behavioral Threat Assessment Nationally Certified School Psychologist Licensed Professional Counselor Licensed Special Education Teacher Co-Author: PREPaRE: Crisis Prevention and Preparedness Co-Author: Identifying, Assessing, and Treating PTSD at School Co-Author: Comprehensive Planning for Safe Learning Environments Lecturer, Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Frank DeAngelis Retired Principal Columbine High SchoolSpecial Advisor for Education Leadership to Safe and Sound Schools Consultant for Safety and Emergency Management for the Jefferson County Schools Colorado High School Principal of the Year Finalist, National Principal of the Year Denver, CO Jeff Allison Senior Advisor Law Enforcement Coordinator Jim L. Accomando James L. Accomando is an Advisor to Safe and Sound Schools and an Advocate for Parents for Safer Schools Program. Jim believes that the Mission to support crisis prevention, response and recovery and to protect every school and every student, every day is not only relevant but a must for all parent groups. Jim was elected as the 55th President of the National PTA Board of Directors at the June 2017 National PTA Convention. Jim has been engaged in fulfilling the Mission of PTA since his oldest child began Kindergarten. For over 20 years, he has volunteered at every level and has had the pleasure of being President of his child’s High School PTA, the District’s PTA Council and the State of Connecticut Parent Teacher Association. Jim believes that family and community engagement is one of the key strengths of PTA in providing equity and quality in our educational system today. He advocates to look beyond the school community to develop partnerships with other educational stakeholders in order to further the Mission of the Association. William Modzeleski Former Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools U.S. Department of Education Co-Author: The Safe School Initiative Co-Author: Threat Assessment In Schools Co-Author: School Associated Violent Deaths in the U.S. National School Safety Expert, Author, Lecturer Shari Nacson, LISW-S Child Development Consultant Clinical Social Worker Adult Educator, Editor Cleveland Heights, OH Susan Payne Special Advisor to Safe and Sound Schools Founder, Safe2Tell 28-year Law Enforcement Veteran Former Detective, Colorado Springs Police Department Former Special Agent Colorado Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Subject-matter expert: school safety, prevention, response, and recovery Author, Consultant, Trainer Colorado Springs, Colorado Scott Poland, Ed. D. Licensed Psychologist Nationally Certified School Psychologist Author: Coping with Crisis Professor, The Center for Psychological Studies Nova Southeastern University Hollywood, FL Paul Timm, PSP Allegion Author: School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program Chicago, IL Amanda Nickerson, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York Licensed psychologist in New York state and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist Lead author of Assessing, Identifying, and Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at School Co-author of School Crisis Prevention and Intervention: The PREPaRE Model Co-editor of Handbook of School Violence and School Safety: International Research and Practice, 2nd Edition Co-author of Lockdown Drills: Connecting Research and Best Practices (2022, MIT Press) Chief Jeffrey Yarborough Chief of Police, Hutto Police Department, TX School safety expert with 28 years of law enforcement experience Author of The Four Pillars of School Safety and Policing: A Transformative Four Pillar Model Sharon Newport, CAE Organizational and Leadership Consultant, Diversity, Equity Inclusivity Subject Matter Expert General Inquiries: info@safeandsoundschools.org Media Inquiries: media@safeandsoundschools.org Meet OUR TEAM

Expert insights and resources to enhance digital citizenship and promote safe online practices for students. Truly comprehensive school safety must extend to the digital spaces where our students spend so much time today. Safe, Sound and Healthy Digital Environments: A Practical Toolkit for Educators Expert insights and resources to enhance digital citizenship and promote safe online practices for students. Truly comprehensive school safety must extend to the digital spaces where our students spend so much time today. Building on insights from roundtable discussions with district and school administrators, mental health professionals, educators, and law enforcement officials, Safe and Sound Schools, Snapchat, and leading school safety experts joined forces to develop this comprehensive toolkit. It provides educators with the knowledge needed to support the safety and well-being of their students online, including specific information about Snapchat. We hope you find this toolkit to be an invaluable resource for your school community. Together, we can create a safer and more supportive digital environment for students, better protecting every school, every student, every day. DOWNLOAD NOW Healthy Digital ENVIRONMENTS

Media Coverage: Safe and Sound in the new. See media coverage here. Remembering Sandy Hook 10 Years Later Dec 14, 2022 Sandy Hook Mom Talks Keeping Schools Safe Amid Mass Shootings Sep 15, 2022 School resource officers from across the country gather in Denver for national conference to train, Jul 26, 2022 The Morning Drive With Casey and Elliot Jun 10, 2022 Horror Movie Child Star Working to Foster ‘Safe and Sound Schools’ Aug 13, 2019 Tyler ISD gathers for safety workshops lead by mother of Sandy Hook victim May 28, 2019 A Lesson of Sandy Hook: ‘Err on the Side of the Victims’ May 25, 2019 School Shooting Foiled in Maryland but ‘There’s Still a Lot of Anxiety’ May 24, 2019 Pain into purpose: Sandy Hook shooting moms visit Houston to help Santa Fe victims Mar 28, 2019 Security Info Watch Aug 29, 2018 ADDITIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE When you can't run, hide or fight BPD Partners with Safe and Sound Schools Safety Summit Parents Who Lost Kids in Sandy Hook Share 'Bittersweet' Feelings About Survivors' Graduation Will Snapchat's New School Guide End Teacher Frustration? Georgia Tests a Novel Tactic in School Shootings: Putting Parents on Trial Safe & Sound MEDIA COVERAGE

From prevention through recovery, Safe and Sound Schools’® national network of experts can help your school or district plan and prepare for safety. With extensive backgrounds and experience in School Psychology, Emergency Planning and Management, School-based Policing, Weather & Disaster Preparedness, Physical Safety, Culture, Special Education and more, our subject matter experts combine best practice guidance and real-world application to help you build school safety in your community. Plan and Learn with the Experts From prevention through recovery, Safe and Sound Schools’® national network of experts can help your school or district plan and prepare for safety. With extensive backgrounds and experience in School Psychology, Emergency Planning and Management, School-based Policing, Weather & Disaster Preparedness, Physical Safety, School Culture, Special Education, and more, our subject matter experts combine best practice guidance and real-world application to help you build, customize, and continually refine school safety in your community. Whether updating your safety plan–or just getting started, developing an anonymous tip line program or improving an existing one, assessing or launching school-based mental health programs, our team of subject matter experts are available to provide support ranging from remote consultation through hands-on, in person training and consulting. Please reach out to inquire about other topics or specific needs. Our nationwide network is available to meet your needs. CONTACT US Anonymous Tip Program Development Safety for Students with Special Needs Physical Safety Assessments School-Based Threat Assessment Active Assailant Education & Training Trauma Informed Schools Social Emotional Learning Emergency Operations Planning Training and Consulting Topics Include (but are not limited to): Bring Safe and Sound Training TO YOUR SCHOOL, DISTRICT OR ORGANIZATION! Our expert team is dedicated to empowering school safety stakeholders across the U.S. and beyond with training and tailored consulting. If none of our existing programs are the perfect fit, we also offer customized consulting to help you strengthen your school safety efforts. Please complete the form below to get started, and a member of our team will be in touch soon! Consulting & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GET TRAINING

You can browse the Straight-A Safety Toolkits as an entire document or as individual tools. Click here to download the full PDF of all three toolkits: Assess, Act, and Audit, or by using the download button below. To view each tool individually, scroll down and click on each icon. THE TOOLKITS Assess, Act & Audit Rethink School Safety with the Straight-A Safety Toolkits Based on our Straight A Safety Improvement Model, we have created free toolkits for school communities in each active area of focus: Assess, Act and Audit. Our free toolkits are designed to facilitate conversations, problem-solving, and partnerships in your school community. Below, you can learn more about each area of our model. Share our resources with your school community members and make a difference together! DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT Straight-A Safety Improvement Model Our Straight-A Safety Improvement Model is a way to rethink school safety. Our busy society loves routine check-ups, check-lists, and checkouts. They make us feel accomplished – done. This way of thinking can undermine the safety and security of our schools. School Safety is a process, not a product. Straight-A Safety Improvement contains three active phases: Assess, Act, and Audit. To Assess, your school community will examine its preparedness for emergency situations. A team of community members and experts will come together to examine what measures, plans, programs, and procedures are already in place and working well and the areas that require change and improvement. To Act, your school community will turn the information gathered and lessons learned in the Assessment phase into a plan of action. This is where plans, programs, and procedures are developed and/or refined, and where safety and security measures are implemented, repaired, or changed. To Audit is to test, check and refine the measures, plans, programs, and procedures in place in your school community. It is an active phase that combines continual vigilance and awareness with formal and measured testing of the safety and security measures, plans, and procedures of your school.

Parents for Safer Schools is a program designed to help parents and caregivers become school safety advocates and leaders of positive change in their community. The program provides supplemental resources designed to help educate and inspire parents and caregivers to advocate with authority and credibility, and lead school safety initiatives in their communities. Parents for Safer Schools is a program designed to help parents and caregivers become school safety advocates and leaders of positive change in their community. The program provides supplemental resources designed to help educate and inspire parents and caregivers to advocate with authority and credibility, and lead school safety initiatives in their communities. Parents for Safer Schools Program Guide: A step-by-step guide for actionable and organized school safety activities. Learn how to become a local school safety volunteer and advocate. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE Parents for SAFER SCHOOLS

News releases from Safe and Sound Schools. Founded by parents who lost children at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Safe and Sound is a national non-profit school safety advocacy and resource center that provides research based tools and support for crisis prevention, response, and recovery, helping to protect every school, every student, every day. Safe & Sound NEWS RELEASE MEDIA INQUIRIES: We look forward to working with representatives from all types of media outlets. For media inquiries, multimedia content, or to be directed to a school safety expert, please contact Kim Vann at kim@safeandsoundschools.org . Dr. Frank G. Straub Joins Safe and Sound Schools as Senior Director of Violence Prevention Research Newly Appointed Senior Director of Violence Prevention Research and Programs Brings Decades of Unparalleled Experience <img... Mar 7, 2023 Fourth Annual National Summit On School Safety Gathers Experts to “Rethink School Safety" Virtual Summit brings together the nation’s top school safety leaders to discuss critical issues, best practices, and practical solutions... Oct 17, 2022 SAFE AND SOUND SCHOOLS LAUNCHES CRISIS RESPONSE TRAINING PROGRAM ADDRESSING THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEED “Especially Safe” program created in response to research demonstrating lack of school safety protocols inclusive of those with special... Feb 2, 2022 School Safety Experts Release Updated Guidance on Conducting Armed Assailant Drills in Schools FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-90501 lazyload" src="https://safeandsoundschools.org/wp-content/up... May 20, 2021 Status Solutions Renews Sponsorship with Safe and Sound Schools Through 2021 Status Solutions affirms its continued support for Safe and Sounds Schools to increase public awareness of safety and security in... Feb 10, 2020 Safe and Sound Schools Announces The “Good Days” Tour Campaign and Contest Actor Jeremy Ray Taylor will help the nonprofit kick off national tour and contest focused on promoting a positive school culture for... Jul 29, 2019 Michele Gay Joins the DOJ’s COPS Office and BJA Panel on School Safety and Security On May 23, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) held a panel featuring... Jun 7, 2019 Johns Hopkins University Honors Michele Gay with Champion in Education Award On May 22, the School of Education recognized the Safe and Sound Schools Co-founder Baltimore, MD – May 30, 2019 – Safe and Sound Schools... May 30, 2019 BFGCF Welcomes It’s Second Year of Partnership Supporting Safe and Sound Maryland BFGCF Welcomes It’s Second Year of Partnership Supporting Safe and Sound Maryland Building for God Community Foundation has announced... May 8, 2019 Safe and Sound Schools To Host Congressional Briefing on School Safety The briefing and panel discussion set for Capitol Hill will focus on “The Importance of Mental Health in Comprehensive School Safety and... Apr 9, 2019 OUR MISSION: Founded by parents who lost children at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Safe and Sound is a national non-profit school safety advocacy and resource center that provides research based tools and support for crisis prevention, response, and recovery, helping to protect every school, every student, every day. LET'S COLLABORATE: We look forward to working with members of the media interested school safety. For media inquiries, to schedule and interview, or to be directed to a school safety expert, please contact Kim Vann at kim@safeandsoundschools.org . MEDIA ASSETS LATEST PRESS RELEASE MEDIA COVERAGE

Take action today! Safe and Sound Schools® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving school safety across the United States through crisis prevention, response, and recovery. Donations are tax deductible (tax ID number 46-2723169). 32,000 schools reached through education, training, and resources 16,600,000 students impacted by Safe and Sound Schools® worldwide 31,269 Straight-A Safety Toolkits downloaded 163 163 countries and all 50 states equipped with the knowledge in our toolkits TAKING ACTION IS IMPORTANT...AND EASY! There are four ways to take action at Safe and Sound Schools. You can donate to our 501C3 Non Profit organization, focused on building programs for schools across the country. You can subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with all of the events and industry news. You can fundraise an event of your own with Safe and Sound's support. Finally, you can contact us directly with any questions. CONTACT US DONATE SUBSCRIBE FUNDRAISE PARTNER WITH US Take ACTION