The Michigan State Police has rolled out the second year of its School Safety Academy, with a fresh slice to the program that includes Advanced School Safety Academies and the new introduction of Youth Violence Prevention Summits; these additions aim to up the ante on preparedness and prevention of violence in schools. "The safety and well-being of Michigan’s students and school personnel are our highest priorities," Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, said in a statement, emphasizing the value of collaboration between students, educators, and law enforcement in cultivating a secure learning environment.
In its first year, the School Safety Academy reached over 800 school staff through six sessions. This year, sessions will start on April 29 and 30 in Warren, covering topics like emergency planning and mental health, all for free. The new Youth Violence Prevention Summits give students a chance to discuss and learn about violence prevention, with guidance from mental health and law enforcement professionals, as reported by the Michigan State Police.
Dr. Daveda Colbert, Superintendent of Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency, showered praises on the MSPOSS for its pivotal role in shaping key safety resources for schools, citing the new initiatives as testament to the agency's commitment to innovation and leadership, which she quoted in the state release. K-12 school administrators, safety liaisons, mental health professionals, and school resource officers looking to partake in the School Safety Academy can secure their spot by registering online, while students eyeing a chair at the Youth Violence Prevention Summits will need to be picked by their school for this exclusive invite-only event, as stated by the Michigan State Police.
The School Safety Academy and Youth Prevention Summits are funded by the FY23 budget for the School Safety and Mental Health Commission. These programs are part of a larger effort to improve school safety and support the mission of the Office of School Safety. Established by Public Act 435 of 2018, the office works with the Michigan Department of Education to ensure safe learning environments for K-12 students, as per the Michigan State Police.
