Dear Colorado Community:

Once again a senseless shooting happened at a school. This time in Canada. The Office of School Safety reminds parents and guardians to limit the exposure your children have to the news media about this. Be available to answer questions for your children and to offer reassurance.

The Office of School Safety reminds everyone that, believe it or not, schools are still the safest places in which children spend time. Colorado schools work tirelessly to provide safety for all students and staff.

Confronting the Digital Threat

Discussing child sex trafficking and online recruitment is incredibly difficult. For many of us, it is a topic we would prefer not to think about at all. However, while these threats are unsettling, they are not inevitable. By acknowledging the reality of how these digital networks operate, we can move from a place of concern to a place of action.

Brad Stiles on School Safety and Inclusion

The Colorado Office of School Safety is proud to highlight the work of our very own Brad Stiles, Emergency Response Outreach Consultant. Brad recently sat down with The Arc of Aurora to discuss the critical intersection of school safety and students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

The Colorado Office of School Safety is committed to fostering secure environments for all students, whether they are in the classroom or navigating digital spaces. As part of our ongoing efforts to provide educators and parents with reliable resources, we are highlighting critical information from StopBullying.gov regarding the nature and impact of cyberbullying.

What is Cyberbullying?

The Colorado Office of School Safety is highlighting an important educational resource from the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC). Understanding the intersection of neurodiversity and addictive behaviors is essential for creating safe and supportive environments for students and community members.

The Colorado Office of School Safety is sharing resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

This is to highlight that recovery is possible and multiple pathways to treatment exist. The theme for this year is Treatment Works! Find the Path that Works for You.

Schools play an important role in preventing human trafficking and making mandatory reports of child abuse if they know or suspect a child is being abused to 844-CO-4-KIDS or local law enforcement. Fortunately, there are several trainings on the identification of human trafficking.

Knowing whether to reach out for behavioral health support or emergency services. 

This is critical to ensuring the appropriate response and care. While both numbers provide vital support, they focus on different types of crises.