Educators, law enforcement officers receive school safety training

Center for Rural Development hosted training sessions

SOMERSET, Ky. (Nov. 24, 2014) — More than 125 educators and law enforcement officers from southern and eastern Kentucky received professional training from nationally recognized experts on how to better protect their schools and communities at the Kentucky Regional Conference on School Safety and Bullying.

Officials from the School Safety Advisory Council (SSAC) met with leading law enforcement authorities from around the country to discuss school safety issues at a two-day conference in November at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

The conference provided tuition-free training in emergency management and effective lockdowns in the event of an active shooting incident; preparing and responding to active school shooters; what every educator and law enforcement officer should know about bullying; and cyber-bullying and social media threats to schools and children.

“I am always excited to bring training opportunities of this quality to the region,” said Danny Ball, director of the Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center (SRTB-RC), which provides resources and training for the nation’s small and rural law enforcement agencies. “The speakers provided by the School Safety Advocacy Council are always dynamic and provide a wealth of information to those in attendance.”

Speakers included Lt. Sean Burke, president of the School Safety Advocacy Council; Curtis “Curt” Laverello, executive director of the School Safety Advocacy Council; Lt. Tim Enos from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office in Saratoga, Fla.; and Don Alwes, lead instructor for the National Tactical Officers Association in the areas of school and workplace violence and active shooter response.

U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) made a guest appearance on the opening day of the conference and was presented a national award for his work in school safety and anti-bullying efforts.

“Whether it’s keeping illegal drugs out of our children’s hands, or recognizing the importance of reducing bullying in our schools, Congressman Rogers truly understands the importance and value of keeping children safe and secure,” said Curt Laverello, executive director of the School Safety Advocacy Council. “For that, he was presented the prestigious National School Safety Award for his continued efforts to create and maintain safe and secure learning environments for our children.”

The conference was funded through a grant from the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Kentucky educators who attended the two-day session could earn up to seven continuing education credit hours.

SRTB-RC, hosted by The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY, serves as a resource and outreach center for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), publicizing its programs and services to small, rural, tribal and border agencies across the country. SRTB-RC also provides general technical assistance to these agencies by identifying and documenting their needs, then coordinating with other NIJ Centers to find a solution to meet them.

SSAC, a recognized leader in school safety based services and training, offers specialized services and trainings to law enforcement, school departments, and colleges and universities nationwide. The dedicated team of experts works to promote safe and secure school and community environments.