CENTEGIX | Education
North Carolina School Safety Standards
CENTEGIX | Education
North Carolina School Safety Standards
In June 2021, the North Carolina Task Force for Safer Schools endorsed the five-year North Carolina State Action Plan for School Safety (SAPSS). The SAPSS aims to “coordinate North Carolina school safety efforts across state government and with communities and schools so that efforts are efficient and effective and undertaken with accountability and shared responsibility.” The action plan emphasizes a proactive approach to school safety. This approach mandates that schools establish school safety plans conducive to creating positive learning environments in North Carolina schools. The SAPSS also recommends that districts enhance existing school- and community-based safety solutions and take a data-driven approach to improving safety.
North Carolina Center for Safer Schools Awards Grant Funding
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) announced $35 million in school safety grants in January 2024. The CFSS distributed these funds to North Carolina schools in early 2024. Schools can use grant funding toward purchases and improvements that help them meet SAPSS goals. These investments can include professional development training for school staff to support students experiencing anxiety, trauma, or behavioral issues and school-based mental health services.
Safety equipment purchases are also eligible for CFSS grant funding. These may include:
Communication devices
Safety software upgrades
Cameras
Vape detectors
Badge readers
Keyless entry systems
Remote door openers
Weapons detection systems
Other safety technologies
According to North Carolina State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, “Nothing is more important than making our schools safer and more secure, and these grants will continue to play a vital role. This funding will help improve school security in many ways, including updating technology and training to prevent future emergencies.”
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform™: a North Carolina School Safety Solution
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform is the foundation of a multilayered school safety plan. It helps districts meet SAPSS goals and create a culture of safety in North Carolina schools. The technologies included in the Safety Platform qualify for CFSS grant funding and assist administrators in meeting grant reporting requirements.
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform facilitates:
Accelerated 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
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
CrisisAlert™, a school alert system that features wearable mobile panic buttons for rapid emergency response during emergencies, from the everyday to the extreme.
Safety Blueprint
CENTEGIX Safety Blueprint™ uses dynamic digital mapping technology to locate safety assets and accelerate school communication and response times.
Visitor Management
Enhanced Visitor Management technology that provides immediate location visibility on school campuses and allows staff to authenticate, manage, and locate visitors.
Reunification
Cloud-based reunification software that enables staff and administrators to gain visibility into the status of all evacuated individuals and confidently reunite students with their approved guardians.
These CENTEGIX solutions are a foundation for a school safety plan that prioritizes staff and students’ safety and well-being. The following features of the CENTEGIX Safety Platform make it an effective North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina students’ academic success by creating safe and supportive learning opportunities and environments. North Carolina was awarded $29,367,638 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 North Carolina 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 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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina was awarded approximately $5.6 billion in ESSER funds.
For the first round of ESSER grants, North Carolina was allocated $396,311,607.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (ESSER II) was passed in 2020. North Carolina’s ESSER II allocation was $1,602,590,987.
An additional round of funding was made available as part of the American Rescue Plan. North Carolina’s portion of those ESSER III funds is approximately $3,601,780,364 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, which distributes funding for evidence-based school safety plans 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 North Carolina 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. BJA will allocate $82 million to STOP School Violence Program competitive grants in fiscal year 2024.
Hear from Our North Carolina Educators
We engage with teachers and staff every day to understand how CrisisAlert supports them, and here’s what they’ve shared:
Student with known medical conditions fainted during class. [CrisisAlert] made the response to a sick student much faster.
I was standing at the front of my classroom when a student began having a seizure and fell face down onto the floor. I went to care for the student. One of the other students used the classroom phone to call the front office but the line was busy. I clicked the [CrisisAlert] button three times…CrisisAlert worked perfectly and we were able to get emergency services to the school quickly. Time would have been wasted if I had to wait for a call to go through to the office, have an admin paged and sent to my classroom, and then a call go out to 911. I have peace of mind knowing I have access to my CrisisAlert.
Student had a medical crisis. I have had this for over 2 years and never had to use it. It made me feel safe knowing that it got so many people on the way without me having to physically call anyone. This allowed me to provide care to the student until help arrived.
Championing Safe Schools with Educators and Educator Associations
CENTEGIX CrisisAlert vs. Mobile Apps
CrisisAlert eliminates vulnerabilities related to app-only solutions and enables rapid incident response to all emergencies.
In an Emergency, You Need CrisisAlert™
See how our CrisisAlert wearable mobile panic button empowers staff to get help instantly in an emergency.
Ready to Connect with a CENTEGIX Specialist to Learn More?
Alysse Daniels, M.Ed.
Senior RVP, Strategic Accounts
Phone: 404-202-3813
Email: adaniels@centegix.com
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