CENTEGIX | Education
Colorado School Safety Standards
CENTEGIX | Education
Colorado School Safety Standards
Colorado Senate Bill 23-41
During the 2023 legislative session, Colorado state lawmakers prioritized safety and security in Colorado’s schools. During the 2023-24 school year, a variety of funding sources exist to help schools purchase or update Colorado school alert systems. Central to this effort is Senate Bill 23-41, which created the Colorado Office of School Safety within the Department of Public Safety. The legislation specifies the following duties for the Office of School Safety:
Its director must appoint a grants manager.
It must create a crisis response unit.
It oversees the School Safety Resource Center.
It manages the School Access for Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.
It will create, administer, and appropriately fund a youth violence prevention program.
SAFER Grant Program
Colorado’s SAFER Grant Program provides funding for “interoperable communication hardware, software, equipment maintenance, and training to allow for seamless communications between existing school communications systems and first responder communications systems.” Grant recipients may use the funds to invest in Colorado school safety solutions, including:
Training staff to communicate effectively with first responders during emergencies
Implementing or upgrading technology that facilitates communication between schools and first responder agencies
Maintaining, improving, or purchasing hardware and software for Colorado school alert systems
School Security Disbursement Program
Under SB 23-41, the Colorado legislature also created the School Security Disbursement Program. In FY24, $16 million is available for local education providers and eligible nonprofit organizations. Eligible expenses include training staff in threat assessment, emergency response, behavioral interventions, and school safety best practices. The grant also funds programs that address the fundamental causes of youth violence and encourage students to become contributing members of their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
The School Security Disbursement Program also distributes funds for capital projects related to Colorado school alert systems. These projects can include but are not limited to “any structure or installed hardware, device, or equipment that protects a public school facility or public school vehicle and the students, educators, and other individuals who attend, work in, or visit a public school facility or are transported in a public school vehicle from threats of physical harm.” These Colorado school safety solutions may do the following:
Prevent the entry of unauthorized individuals into a school or school vehicle.
Expedite communication when a threat is present.
The Office of School Safety informs districts and schools about these and other state and federal grants and offers assistance in the grant application process.
A Multilayered School Safety Solution for Colorado Schools
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform is a multilayered school safety solution that helps districts meet the Colorado Office of School Safety’s requirements and qualify for grant funding. The CENTEGIX Safety Platform facilitates:
Emergency response using an innovative incident command system
Seamless and efficient lockdown procedures
Foundational knowledge on which to base active shooter plans and procedures
A streamlined and expedited process for requesting help during medical emergencies
Staff access to missing student information in the event of student elopement
Quick access to the vital data needed for successful reunification plans
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform: Creating a Culture of Safety
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform solutions work together to facilitate efficient school communication with first responders, gather data for reporting purposes, and create an ecosystem of safety that supports staff and students.
CENTEGIX Safety Platform solutions include:
CrisisAlert
A wearable mobile panic button with precise location information for rapid incident response
Safety Blueprint
Dynamic digital mapping technology to locate safety assets and streamline school communication and response times
Visitor Management
Enhanced Visitor Management provides immediate location visibility on school campuses and allows staff to authenticate, manage, and locate visitors
Reunification
Cloud-based software that enables users to gain status visibility into all evacuated individuals and confidently reunite students with their approved guardians
These CENTEGIX solutions create the foundation for a culture of safety that prioritizes staff and students’ security and well-being. The following features of the CENTEGIX Safety Platform make it an effective Colorado school safety solution:
Reliable communication: no Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity is required.
Ease of adoption: staff is not required to download or learn to use an app.
Rapid access to first responders: staff can connect immediately to diverse emergency services.
Communication in emergencies: first responder agencies can coordinate in real time.
Instant alerts: integration with local public safety answering points facilitates 911 calls and mobile notifications.
Federal Funding for Colorado School Safety Solutions
Stronger Connections Grant
In late 2022, the U.S. Department of Education passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), through which nearly $1 billion in awards would be distributed to America’s schools. Under this legislation, the Stronger Connections Grant Program was created. These grants aim to ensure Colorado students’ academic success by creating safe and supportive learning opportunities and environments. Colorado was awarded $9,356,572 through this program.
The BCSA empowers state educational agencies (SEAs) to develop grant programs supporting safer and healthier learning environments. The BSCA specifies that SEAs must award these funds competitively to high-need LEAs, as determined by the state.
This grant specifies that awardees must foster sustained engagement, attachment, and learning for Colorado students. The Stronger Connections Grant Program mandates schools to focus on becoming more resilient, supporting mental health, and improving school climate.
According to the Department of Education, schools should invest in Stronger Connections Grant Program funding in the following efforts:
- implementing evidence-based strategies that support students’ social, emotional, and mental well-being needs
- creating inclusive, positive, and supportive school environments
- improving accessibility of behavioral interventions and services
- involving students, families, educators, staff, and community organizations in implementing strategies to create safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments
- developing policies and practices responsive to underserved students that demonstrate respect for student dignity and potential
Eligible spending includes hiring counselors and nurses, increasing staff training on behavioral interventions and inclusion, increasing access to mental health services, and other related efforts to create a positive and supportive climate in Colorado schools.
ESSER Funds
As part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds were made available to address the pandemic’s impact on student safety and mental well-being. As of June 30, 2022, Colorado ESSER has awarded $1,807,472,054 to the state.
For the first round of ESSER grants, Colorado was allocated $120,993,782. The deadline to obligate those funds was Sept. 30, 2022.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed in 2020. Colorad’s ESSER II allocation was $519,324,311 as part of the act, and it must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2023.
An additional round of funding was made available as part of the American Rescue Plan. Colorado’s portion of those ESSER funds is $1,166,328,632, and the obligation deadline is Sept. 30, 2024.
COPS School Violence Prevention Program
The U.S. Department of Justice oversees the COPS School Violence Prevention Program. This program distributes funding for evidence-based school safety programs and technologies. School safety solutions that help identify potential dangers are eligible for COPS funding. Districts can also use funds to improve emergency notification and response systems, including Colorado school alert systems. To learn more, visit the COPS website.
BJA’s STOP School Violence Program
The U.S. Department of Justice has also made funds available through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. BJA’s STOP School Violence Program funds the purchase of school safety software designed to help K-12 schools maintain a safe environment. This program’s priorities are recognizing, responding to, and preventing violence on campus. Learn more here.
CENTEGIX Webinars
Leveraging Safety to Improve Teacher Retention and Recruitment | March 2024
Harm Mitigation: Keeping Your Staff Safe | March 2024
School Emergency Response: A Police Chief’s Perspective | April 2024
School Safety: Keep It Easy | April 2024
CENTEGIX | White Paper
The Impact of Safety on the Mental Health and Well-being of Staff and Students in K-12 Schools
When safety leads, success follows.
Hear from Our Educators
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Championing Safe Schools with Educators and Educator Associations
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CrisisAlert eliminates vulnerabilities related to app-only solutions and enables rapid incident response to all emergencies.
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