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Safe and Supportive Schools
Nancy Riestenberg
Minnesota Department of Education
[email protected]
August 8, 2014
“Leading for educational excellence and equity. Every
day for every one.”
Safe and Supportive Schools Act
• Effective for the 2014-2015 school year.
• All school boards required to adopt a local district
and school student bullying policy that complies with
the requirements of the new law.
• Twenty-three member council to provide leadership.
• School Safety Technical Assistance Center
established.
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Safe and Supportive Schools
Council Leadership Role
• Establishing norms and standards for prevention,
intervention and support around issues of prohibited
conduct.
• Advancing evidence-based policy and best practices
to improve school climate.
• Development and dissemination or resources and
training for schools and communities.
• Developing policies and procedures for services
provided by the School Safety Technical Assistance
Center.
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Safe and Supportive Schools
School Safety Technical Assistance Center
• To help districts and schools provide a safe and supportive
learning environment.
• Assist schools and districts in crafting their student antibullying policies.
• To aid districts in resolving issues arising under the new
policies.
• To be a repository of best practice and research-based
resources, activities and training materials.
• Develop effective prevention strategies including how to
deal with social media and cyber bullying.
• Support school and district planning, and support schools
recovering from incidents of violence.
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Update on Work to Date
Council
• First meeting of Council to be held by October 1,
2014.
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Update on Work to Date
Staffing
• Center will be housed at MDE within the Safety,
Health and Nutrition Division.
• Center director will supervise and develop additional
positions to assist with training, technical assistance
and data reporting functions.
• Selection expected before first Council meeting.
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Next Steps
Staffing
Start up Staffing--• Project consultant for website and creating
framework for accessing technical assistance
• Youth Engagement Specialist
Ongoing Staffing--• Center Director
• Education Specialist
 Training, Evidence Based Practices
Outreach and Support
• Administrative Assistant
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Update on Work to Date
Support Activities
• To be presented at first Council meeting:
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Q and A on legislation.
History/Background on legislation.
Why it matters (impact).
What need to be done (action).
Inventory of MDE programs.
Establish Goals
• Train and provide technical assistance to school
personnel, parents, students and community members.
• Develop and disseminate tools, policies and models to
cultivate safe schools.
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On-going MDE Initiatives
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Principles of Effective Practice
Restorative Measures in Schools
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
The CDC grant: Safe and supportive environments,
evidence based sexuality education, access to
adolescent friendly clinics
• Bullying prevention overview worships
• Minnesota Student Survey analysis
• Adverse childhood Experiences (ACES)
presentations
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Collaboration and Values
Students &
Parents
Center
Prevention
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Community
MDE &
Agencies
Schools &
Staff
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Collaboration and Values
Values
Honor the work of everyone involved in developing the legislation.
Quick access to relevant tools, training and processes.
Build with sustainability in mind.
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Tools (videos, case studies, books, etc.)
Technical Assistance Processes
Support
Research
Information
Center
Policies
Training
Prevention
Recovery
Preparedness
Response
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Questions?
Contact Information
How to be involved?
Monica L. Herrera
• Sign up to receive
center updates.
Director
• Provide input on needs
and what works.
Safety, Health and
Nutrition Division
[email protected]
651 582-8266
• Support process in your
school and community.
• Be inclusive.
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