88th Annual CASCWA State Conference

How our school developed and implemented a "20 Minute Mediation Protocol" to reduce campus conflict, reduce suspensions for fighting (48900a1 & a2) and provide replacement behaviors for aggression and bullying.  

We know that students with disabilities are over twice as likely to experience violence compared to their peers without disabilities, leading to significant and lasting effects on their health and well-being (US Dept. of Justice, 2021).  This session draws attention to high levels of peer bullying and crime statistics that students with disabilities face in their lives and the urgent need for collaborative efforts to create a safe learning environment for all.

Behavioral threat assessment teams in schools are essential for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential threats to ensure a safe learning environment. These multidisciplinary teams, comprised of educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and administrators, work collaboratively to evaluate concerning behaviors and intervene before situations escalate. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, they provide support to individuals in crisis while addressing potential risks. This proactive approach fosters a culture of safety and trust, reduces disciplinary actions, and promotes well-being. Behavioral threat assessment teams are a vital component of comprehensive school safety strategies, protecting both students and staff.

This presentation will focus on the basics regarding human trafficking and exploitation. It will address what human trafficking is, as well as what it is not. We will discuss some of the vulnerabilities facing students we serve, what signs can be observed to better identify a possible victim, how recruiting occurs within the schools and what can be done if/when a victim is suspected. Further, the training will address the impact of the trauma victims of trafficking/exploitation face, as their trauma impacts their overall wellbeing and ability to learn and be in the school setting.  

This session will focus on responding to concerning behaviors by helping participants to understand baseline behaviors and deviations , recognize  ​behavioral markers of targeted violence​, and observe, document, and report concerning behaviors​.

This presentation will take a look at how the recently enacted Workplace Violence laws relate to and interact with Special Education laws and students’ rights for a Free Appropriate Public Education.  Specifically, the presentation will assist attendees in understanding how a safe school environment can be created for staff and students using tools available for behavior modification and staff training.

San Gabriel Unified developed a District Response Team when schools reopened after the COVID school closures. The team consists of a CWA counselor, 2 Wellness Counselors, the School Based Mental Health coordinator, and the District Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The team has a wide range of situations that it responds to and ways that it supports site staff. These include: coordinating and providing mental health support after significantly negative school events, training relevant staff in the CSTAG threat assessment protocol, and coordinate Tier 3 interventions for intensive student situations. Members also participate in the District Safety and Emergency Committee to include postvention strategies into crisis response. This presentation will share how the team functions and is deployed and will give concrete examples of cases where team members partnered with schools in their responses to negative school events.

Safe schools are of major importance to the public, parents and school officials. Unfortunately, individual school sites have not been assessed to properly ensure the safety of all as school officials are reactive rather than proactive. During this interactive session, Sherman Garnett Jr. who describe what is a safe school from an educational and law enforcement perspective and provide all with resources and assessment tools that will ensure maximum safety at each school site including the necessary training.

System-impacted students need ways to build a sense of belonging, agency, and academic identity through meaningful relationships. However, many adult practices are disconnected from students’ best interests and are based on a system that is not designed for marginalized youth to successfully graduate. Upon recognizing this disconnect, Oakland Unified School District leaders came together across departments to address these issues and focus on equity.

This interactive presentation will offer experiential learning on OUSD’s journey by highlighting the value of student-centered design, exploring student-led research strategies to address chronic absenteeism, and unpacking student well-being and relationship data.

Schools are required to have CSSP’s, a collection of procedures used in emergencies and to promote a safe learning environment. A State Auditor report found a majority of CSSP’s are not compliant, creating an environment for inadequate emergency response that may put people’s safety at risk. This class will discuss the components of a CSSP including methods to improve school climate and physical environment and answer FAQ’s about items such as due dates and templates. The class is based on the Educator’s Guide to Comprehensive School Safety Plans. It is the legislative intent this guide be used in developing CSSP’s.