School Safety Resource

Educators across our state are committed to the safety of every student in the classroom and on their campuses. The Texas Education Agency shares that commitment and provides this listing of resources in support for achieving that goal.

Governor’s School and Firearm Safety Action Plan 

• Governor’s Office News Release: Governor Abbott Unveils Plan To Address School Safety In Texas (May 30, 2018):
  https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-unveils-plan-to-address-school-safety-in-texas  
• Download the Governor’s School and Firearm Safety Action Plan (PDF):
  https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/School_Safety_Action_Plan_05302018.pdf
• Gov. Abbott’s Letter To Commissioner Morath (Feb. 21, 2018) (PDF):
  https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/Governor_Abbott_Orders_Immediate_Action201802210332.pdf

TEA Correspondence to School Districts and Charters 

• Immediate Opportunities to Improve Campus Security Through Available School Safety Supports (June 8, 2018)
• Adequate and Appropriate School Safety Measures (May 8, 2018):
  https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/News_and_Multimedia/Correspondence/TAA_Letters/Adequate_and_Appropriate_School_Safety_Measures/
• Safety Options for School Districts and Charters (March 2, 2018):
  https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/News_and_Multimedia/Correspondence/TAA_Letters/Safety_Options_for_School_Districts_and_Charters/  

•  List of School Safety Recommendations to address before start of the 2018-2019 school year (PDF)

Training Opportunities

• Safety & Security Agreements 2019 Workshops
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Training
• Standard Response Protocol/Standard Reunification Method Certified Trainer Workshops
• Threat Assessment Management Workshops

Additional Resources 

• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) – For information on School Marshal training: http://tcole.texas.gov/content/school-marshals
• Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) – For information on active shooter training:
  https://alerrt.org/Course-Catalog

Infectious Diseases

Information for School Districts on the Zika Virus
Information on how Texas schools can assist in preventing the transmission of the Zika virus.

• Zika Superintendent Letter June 4, 2018
• Zika Fact Sheet General (English) (PDF 650KB)
• Zika Push Card General (English) (PDF 324 KB)
• Zika Push Card Pregnant Women (English) (PDF 357KB)

Integrated Pest Management

Title 4 Agriculture, Part 1 Texas Department of Agriculture, Chapter 7 Pesticides, Subchapter H Structural Pest Control Service, Division 7 Integrated Pest Management Program for School Districts

•  https://texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/Pesticides/StructuralPestControlService/SchoolIntegratedPestManagement.aspx  
•  http://schoolipm.tamu.edu  
•  http://schoolipm.tamu.edu/more-information/who-to-contact

TAC 7.114 Definition of Terms
TAC 7.201 Responsibility of School Districts to Adopt an IPM Program
 TAC 7.202 Responsibilities of the IPM Coordinator
 TAC 7.203 Responsibilities of Certified Applicators and Licensed Technicians
TAC 7.204 Pesticide Use in School Districts
 TAC 7.205 Incidental Use for Schools

Mental Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors (PDF)
• Preventing Youth Violence: Opportunities for Action (PDF)
• Connecting the Dots: An Overview of the Links Among Multiple Forms of Violence (PDF)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

•  The School Mental Health Referral Path (SMHRP) Toolkit (PDF)
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summary (PDF) 

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a free, evidence-based training available to all educators. MHFA is an 8-hour instructor led course, which teaches the general public about the signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorders.

MHFA is free to teachers and any school district employee. Education Service Centers (ESCs) and Independent School Districts (ISDs) can contact the local mental health authority (LMHA) or local behavioral health authority (LBHA) in their areas and begin the process of scheduling training during June, July, and August 2018, and continue their efforts to train throughout Fiscal Year 2019. There is an MHFA coordinator at each LMHA/LBHA who can help schedule a training class.

To identify the LMHA/LBHA in your area, please visit: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/find-your-local-mental-health-or-behavioral-health-authority.

Access information for the LMHA/LBHA through the online search tool: http://www.dshs.texas.gov/mhservices-search/.
To download a copy of the crosswalk of Texas LMHA’s/LBHA and LEA, including the designated Mental Health First Aid Coordinator: Crosswalk of LMHA and TEA (PDF)

Weather and Disaster Information

The Texas Education Agency provides a number of resources for school districts affected by extreme weather, natural disasters, or man-made disasters.