JULY 9 | WEDNESDAY | 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Room: Catalina A1
Post Incident Threat Management: Beyond the Bang
The last 30 years have led to significant developments in proactive approaches to preventing & mitigating threats of violence. However, as critical incidents of targeted violence have occurred, it has become apparent that the threat does not necessarily end with the violent act. Rather, several other concerns and challenges may emerge from that violent incident. These range from the fear and loss impacting the perception of safety in the community, to additional threats & acts of violence, any of which can devastate an already traumatized and vulnerable community. This session, facilitated by a threat manager who has worked with several communities in the aftermath of violence, will discuss key considerations in preparing for the threat beyond “bang”.
Presenter: Jeffrey R. Cugno, CEO & Founder – SOS Global Consulting, Inc. | FBI Agent (retired)
Room: Catalina A2
Working Effectively with Gang Involved Youth
There are no bad kids but there are kids who get derailed. With a combined 14 years of clinical experience in correctional settings, Dr. Ashley Brown and Emily Aihara have a wealth of knowledge about what works when it comes to getting kids back on track. Both have direct experiences helping clients with the criminal desistence and meaningful rehabilitation processes. Learn what really matters when it comes to helping at risk and gang-affiliated youth build a more positive future.
Presenters: Dr. Ashley Brown, Licensed Clinical Psychologist – Clinical Evaluation and Guidance Unit (CEGU) Probation, Juvenile Hall and Emily Aihara, LMFT, Behavioral Health Clinician II – OC Health Care Agency
Room: Catalina A3
Creating an Inclusive Climate: Supporting Transgender and Nonbinary Students
Led by two professionals who have been working in trans education and advocacy for nearly a decade, Kathie and Evan bring both stories from their personal lives and experiences from the clients and communities they've helped to serve over the years to deliver a training that is relevant and necessary to anyone who is wanting to be an ally to transgender, gender diverse, and intersex (TGI) communities. For educators and school staff beyond the classroom, this training goes over more than the vocabulary and cultural background of TGI people and youth in the United States today; but also addresses California laws and Ed Code, shares best practices for supporting students no matter where their parents are in their journey of affirmation, and provides resources for learning after the presentation is over so that participants can keep expanding and updating their knowledge, creating a gender-affirming world for all.
Presenters: Kathie Moehlig (she/her), Executive Director and Evan Johnson (they/them), Training specialist – TransFamily Support Services
Room: Catalina C1
You Can No Longer Keep Your Head in the Sand: Leveraging Tech for Good in School Safety
We live in a world overflowing with data—data that tells a story, highlights risks, and provides insights. Yet, for many, the sheer volume of information has become paralyzing. The fear of misinterpreting or not knowing how to act on the data has led to hesitation when action is needed most.
But here’s the reality: technology has evolved to help, not hinder. AI and other advanced tools are revolutionizing school safety, providing the clarity and confidence needed to make informed decisions. In this session, we’ll explore how to leverage cutting-edge tech to ensure school safety remains your top priority. Join me as we break down the overwhelming data landscape, discuss actionable solutions, and demonstrate how AI can be your greatest ally in creating safer learning environments.
It’s time to stop fearing data and start using it for good. Let’s embrace technology to make a real impact—because when it comes to school safety, inaction is not an option.
Presenter: Jami Klotz, Chief Product Officer & School Safety Technology Expert – Navigate360
With over 20 years of experience in product leadership, Jami Klotz has been at the forefront of advancing big data and software products. Her expertise has helped organizations and consumers turn data into actionable insights, while leading both Product and Tech organizations through rapid growth and change in the private equity industry.
Before joining Navigate360, Jami served as Senior Vice President of Product at BigTime Software, one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing private companies. There, she built applications used by 2,000 firms to process $4B in billings. Jami’s career spans across several companies that include Travelclick, Orbitz, and nSight Travel Intelligence where she served as President and Chief Product Officer. Throughout her career, she has driven strategic growth, cultivated a strong brand image and defined cohesive and integrated roadmaps driven by market needs.
Room: Catalina C2
Managing your Security Workforce for Administrators for K-12
This session will address the unique supervision aspect, training requirements and liabilities associated with managing a Campus Security Team in the education environment.
Presenters: Brian Erdelyi, Director and Jason Vickery, Senior Advisor – IMReady
Room: Catalina C3
Finding the Lost: A Look at Transforming Systemic Inequities Among our At-Promise Student
At-promise students, particularly Native American, justice-impacted, and undocumented youth, face systemic barriers such as poverty, socioeconomics, and gang influence that contribute to high dropout rates and limit their educational and professional futures. The current educational system often unconsciously perpetuates these challenges, reinforcing the school-to-prison pipeline and compromising school safety. To address this, a transformative approach is needed—one that dismantles barriers and creates a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. By integrating multiple educational pathways and providing positive academic options, institutions can better support at-promise students and foster long-term success.
We have developed a holistic framework by engaging comprehensive high schools, alternative and correctional schools, GED preparation programs, and higher education institutions to reimagine academic support for these students. Our approach integrates cross-sector collaboration and interinstitutional strategies to ensure at-promise students have a voice in shaping solutions, thus minimizing safety issues and maximizing student success. Through this work, we aim to improve educational outcomes, increase student engagement, and influence policy shifts that address the holistic needs of marginalized youth. By providing sustainable support and aligning educational, career, and social needs, our model has the potential to drive systemic change and reshape how academic institutions support at-promise students.
Presenters: Dr. Gregory Barraza, Executive Director and Adriana Hernandez, Program Director – High School Equivalency Academy
Room: Avalon 2
Proactive Game Management: Ensuring Safety for Student Athletes, Coaches, and Officials
Jay has been involved in educational-based athletics as a player, coach, teacher, and athletic administrator at the high school, district, and collegiate levels. Nearly all school districts have security measures in place during the school day hours. However, similar risk management policies are too often overlooked or ignored for evening events. Safe Sport Zone has developed proactive game management plans to ensure safer environments for activities. The exercises include spectator supervision, screening the gate to the venue, providing perimeter security, and applications for almost any emergency. For interscholastic athletics to survive, kids’ games must be enjoyable, entertaining, safe, and educationally driven. Safe Sport Zone is committed to these principles.
Presenter: Jay Hammes, CMAA, National Faculty Instructor – NIAAA, President/Founder – Safe Sport Zone, LLC (Wisconsin)
Room: Avalon 3
A Collaborative Approach to Protecting and Preventing the Human Trafficking of Minors as an Orange County Response
In a technology driven world advancing faster than people can respond, with increased opportunities to harm the most vulnerable and the scale of reach across all youths, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) will share the collaborative approach Orange County has taken to address the protection of children from human trafficking and how to safeguard the next generation. According to the 2023 Human Trafficking Victim Report released by the OCHTTF, 36% of the victims assisted in 2021 and 2022 were under the age of 18. The workshop will provide an overview of how human trafficking and child sexual exploitation has impacted victims, families, schools, and communities. This includes how this could happen, lessons learned, what is being done about it, and where schools can help be part of a safe and positive social response network for students in today's modern age. The workshop will be presented by member organizations of the OCHTTF, including law enforcement, victim service, social service and community-based nonprofit.
Presenter: Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
Room: Anacapa
Effective Drug Education
The workshop equips educators with valuable drug prevention and awareness resources, tailored to inspire and inform students of all ages. It includes lesson plans, activities, and materials that foster a deep understanding of the dangers of drug abuse, while empowering students to make responsible choices. By incorporating these essential resources into their educational curriculum, educators can play a pivotal role in creating a drug-free world.
Presenter: Darren Tessitore, National Trainer – Foundation for a Drug-Free World (Florida)