Missouri’s Homeland Security Safe Schools Working Group
At the May 2006 meeting of the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Council, The Office of Homeland Security was asked by the Council to work with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), as well as other relevant organizations and individuals, to create a working group that would look at issues relating to school safety. A unified, seamless approach to school safety in the state of Missouri is one of our most basic goals, and of the highest priority for Missouri’s Homeland Security program.Starting in June, officials from the Office of Homeland Security, DESE, Missouri Center for Safe Schools, Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Department of Mental Health (DMH), Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA), and the Fire Marshal’s Office began meeting to look at school safety issues.
This Working Group has the goal of achieving consistency in school emergency preparedness across the state. While most schools have existing safety programs and plans, in some schools these plans have not kept up with the ever evolving threat from both terrorism as well as other hazards, such as pandemic influenza and earthquakes. It is not the objective of the Homeland Security Safe Schools Working Group to find fault or criticize any existing school safety plan or program. This group can, however, give conscientious and creative input to improve these plans and programs. But this can only be achieved with participation and input from the full spectrum of organizations and groups that are involved in our elementary and secondary education programs.
The following organizations now participate in the Safe Schools Working Group:
American Federation of Teachers
Association for the Education of Young Children of MO
Boone County Fire Protection District
Cole County Sheriff
Dept of Elementary & Secondary Education
Dept of Health & Senior Services
Dept of Mental Health
Div of Fire Safety/State Fire Marshall’s Office
Fire Marshall’s Association of Missouri
Governor’s Office
MO Association of Elementary School Principals
MO Association of Rural Education
MO Association of School Administrators (MASA)
MO Association of School Nurses
MO Association of School Psychologists
MO Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP)
MO Council of Administrators of Special Education
MO Federation of Teachers & School-Related Personnel
MO National Education Association
MO Office of Homeland Security
MO Parent Teacher Association
MO School Boards Association
MO School Counselors Association
MO School Nutrition Association
MO School Public Relations Association
MO School Resource Officer Association
MO State Teachers Association
Parkway School District
School Social Worker Association of MO
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
UMKC – Missouri Center for Safe Schools (MCSS)
Helpful
Web Sites
School Violence
Hotline
Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Incidents (UPSBI) On Line Course
Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education - Safe School Grants
School Safety Related Press Releases