Contact CSS to discuss how our services can benefit you.
Services to meet your needs
Center for Safe Schools (CSS) at Center for Schools and Communities (CSC) has served as a resource for educators, parents, law enforcement and others on school safety, bullying prevention and youth violence prevention for more than two decades.
CSS is committed to provide schools with resources, training and technical assistance to create and maintain safe, productive learning environments. Through our expert staff and network of state and national researchers and practitioners, CSS provides schools and their partner organizations customized services including, but not limited to, developing and practicing emergency management and crisis response plans, creating positive school environments, implementing evidence-based trainings, and establishing proactive safety measures in partnership with law enforcement and other community entities to address local needs.
Physical and Behavioral Health/Climate Assessments
Center for Safe Schools has physical and behavioral health/climate assessors on staff.
CSS assessors’ duty and responsibility is to undertake an assessment of a school building in light of the criteria and produce a report indicating how the school might strive to meet the best practices. Two separate assessments exist, a physical assessment and a behavioral health/climate assessment.
CSS assessment package includes:
- Ongoing technical support before and after the assessment
- Easy to understand final assessment reports and recommendations
- The option to choose professional development opportunities tailored to your needs
- Confidence in knowing your requirements has been met
Behavioral Health/School Climate Assessments
CSS will examine your school building through a behavioral health and school climate lens. Assessors will use standard criteria to get a feel of what it is like to be a student, staff member, and community member at your school. These criteria are meant to give guidance regarding best practices in establishing a safe and secure school climate.
CSS assessors will:
- Assess arrival and dismissal practices
- Walk through and around your building
- Interview staff and students (optional). Virtual options are available for busy educators!
- Examine policies and procedures related to bullying prevention, behavioral health, and threat assessment
- Analyze school climate or staff satisfaction data
- Provide a thorough report with actionable recommendations
Estimated Cost for Assessments
Please note: Travel for the assessor is not included in the estimates below. Please contact us for a detailed estimate.
| Number of Students | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 50-350 | $2,600 | $2,900 |
| 351-999 | $3,000 | $3,400 |
| 1,000-2,000 | $3,500 | $3,800 |
| 2,001+ | $3,900 | $4,500 |
Technical Assistance
Center for Safe Schools (CSS) has a wide range of expertise from emergency management to school climate. From one-time assistance to ongoing evidence-based programs, we are here to help your school or organization. Areas of staff specialization include, but are not limited to:
Administrative
- Creating Effective Memoranda of Understanding
- Creating Effective School-Law Enforcement Partnerships
- Creating Effective School Safety Policy and Practice
- Evidence-Based Programs
- School Culture and District-Wide Responses
Bullying Prevention
- Advising on policy development, based on best practice as well as adherence to state law, which requires Pennsylvania schools to have a bullying prevention policy and provide annual training for students and staff
- Certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Trainers on staff
- Creating strategies to engage parents as integral partners and methods to build positive connections within the school and community
- Management of Statewide Trainer Network
- Middle School Bullying Prevention Toolkit
- Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Toolkit
- Providing guidance in establishing bullying prevention committees
- Specialized Bullying Prevention Trainings
Prevention Strategies
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention – Lifelines
- Teen Dating Violence Prevention – Safe Dates
- Violence Prevention Community and School Partnerships
Districtwide Emergency Planning and Preparedness
- Act 44 Physical Safety Assessments
- Conducting Drills and Exercises
- Crisis/Emergency Team Training
- Incident Command for Schools
Positive School Climate
- Act 44 Behavioral Health/Climate Assessments
- Pennsylvania School Climate Survey support
- Social and Emotional Learning
Consultations
CSS can also provide All-Hazards plan development and review, climate and safety assessments, emergency drill and exercise facilitation and review monitoring, and policy review and analysis.
PA BP Network
The Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Network (PA BP Network) is a statewide professional learning community for bullying prevention consultants who are certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) trainers.
PA BP Network seeks to promote research-based practices in bullying prevention and the integration of those practices with other research-based models for improving youth outcomes.
Center for Safe Schools established PA BP Network in 2001 through funding provided by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Goals
- Promote best practices in bullying prevention across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through a network of highly qualified trainers.
- Establish leadership systems and partnerships to advance effective bullying prevention practices statewide for the benefit of children, families, schools and communities.
- Meet the ongoing certification needs of Olweus trainers in Pennsylvania, through meetings, professional development and online updates.
- Engage stakeholders in identifying linkages between OBPP and other effective approaches to promoting positive school climate and social and emotional learning.
For information and how to join Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Network or to find a trainer to conduct OBPP training and implementation, please contact Leah Galkowski, [email protected]or 717-763-1661, ext. 152.
Professional Learning and Trainings
CSS offers onsite and online professional development opportunities including one-time trainings, courses and conferences.
CSS’s diverse, skilled staff hold an extensive array of certifications, expertise and practical knowledge and are highly experienced in school safety, youth violence prevention and education.
Customized Trainings
Trainings can be delivered to individual school building staff, school districts, groups of districts, entire intermediate unit regions, municipalities and community organizations. All CSS trainings offer continuing education credits, as needed.
Sample topics:
- Swatting 101
- Behavioral Threat Assessment 101 for educators
- Emergency Management Skills for educators, admin, or bus drivers
- Tabletop Exercise Facilitation
- Understanding Bullying and What We Can Do
- Let’s Talk Bullying Prevention (for parents)
- Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Overview
- Bullying Prevention and SEL: What can I do now?
- Safe Dates
- Response to a Student or Staff Death for Schools
- De-escalation starts at Pre-escalation
- Why a Debriefing Team Should Be Part of Your Crisis Plan
- New Adventures in Education and Social-Emotional Learning
- Compassion Fatigue vs. Compassion Resilience
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
Third Thursday Digital Learning Series
Third Thursday sessions educate those new to the bullying prevention field and sharpen the skills of those who are experienced in this vital area. Webinars cover essential topics, including student safety and well-being skills, social-emotional wellness, cyberspace, and more. View Third Thursday page for recorded sessions.
Act 26 Requirements
CSS can perform several Act 26 duties including data collection, assisting schools in meeting the requirements of Act 26, and providing resources to educators on a variety of programs and issues.
The Safe Schools Act of 1995 (Act 26) was amended in 1997 (Act 30) to mandate annual reporting of all incidents of violence, weapons, alcohol, drugs and tobacco possession to the Department of Education. Local education agencies also are required to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with local law enforcement agencies and provide for other procedural safeguards to enhance school safety. Another amendment to Act 26 (Act 36 of 1999) empowers schools to acquire the tools and resources needed to develop and enhance safe learning environments.