JULY 11 | FRIDAY | 8:30 am – 9:45 am

Room: Catalina A1

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Impact on Accurate Threat Assessments

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made remarkable progress in recent years, with advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, voice cloning, and a variety of additional services. These innovations have enabled AI to impact various industries including University/College campuses, school communities, corporations and law enforcement.

The future of AI holds vast potential; however, it is important to understand that there are risks associated with the utilization of such services. To better understand the power of AI, it is crucial that Safety/Threat Assessment teams stay up to date with evolving AI technology.

Following this session, attendees will better understand what AI services are currently available to the public, how they are being utilized, and what risks may be associated with their use.

Presenter: Colton Easton, Director of Program Development – Safer Schools Together

Colton is an accomplished trainer, having presented to thousands of individuals from organizations across North America including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and numerous other law enforcement agencies and both K-12 school districts and higher education campuses.

Room: Catalina A2

Nihilistic Violent Extremism: 764, COM and other Violent Online Networks

The basis for this workshop is to spread awareness of an evolving and increasing threat to school aged juveniles. This threat lives in the confines of online spaces, where violent extremists, pedophiles and sadistic online networks aim to extort juveniles in effort to create CSAM, snuff videos, self-harm, and extort minors to perform sadistic acts, creating a direct pathway to violent criminal behavior.  As the intelligence community continues to build out tactics, techniques and procedures out on these online extremist groups, it is imperative we share information to educators in an effort to circumvent this threat; as often, victimization is detected only after significant harm has already occurred.

Presenters: Cassidy Hunter-Baumgardner has been an intelligence analyst for over 9 years, with a military background in the United States Marine Corps- currently she serves as the Domestic Violent Extremist Analyst for the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center

Ryanne Bailey is a former Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, previously assigned to the Los Angeles Filed Office. She now works at the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center as an Intelligence Analyst with a specialty in human trafficking and child exploitation.

Room: Catalina A3

The Safest (Elementary) School District in Orange County, Westminster School District: Parental Engagement and Trustee Strategic Vision

This session aligns with the Safe Schools Conference’s mission by demonstrating how strategic leadership, community partnerships, and proactive parental engagement contribute to creating a safe and supportive learning environment in Westminster School District (WSD).

 Westminster School District (WSD) has earned a reputation as one of the safest school districts in Orange County through a comprehensive, proactive approach to school safety. This panel discussion will highlight best practices, strategic initiatives, and stakeholder collaboration efforts that have positioned WSD as a model district. Participants will gain insights into policy development, parent engagement strategies, and trustee leadership efforts that contribute to ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.

Session Objectives:

    • Understand the critical role of district leadership and school trustees in developing and maintaining a strong school safety framework.
    • Learn how parental engagement plays a key role in fostering safe school environments.
    • Explore successful strategies for building partnerships between trustees, administrators, teachers, parents, and local law enforcement including the School Resource Officer program.
    • Examine real-world case studies and initiatives implemented in WSD that have strengthened school security and emergency preparedness.

Facilitators: David M. Johnson, WSD Board Member and Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D., Superintendent – Westminster School District

Panel: Westminster SD Council PTA: Ms. Melissa Duffy-Anderson -Elementary PTA, Mr. Van Dam-Warner -Middle PTA, Ms. Angy Smith-Stacey -Middle PTA, and Dr. Kelly Phan-Willmore -Elementary PTA 

Room: Catalina C1

Emergency Preparedness and Response to Targeted Violence

This presentation will provide participants with information on specific types of threats, as well as the pre-threat behaviors and indicators observed before an attack. It will also cover the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative (NSI) and its role in preventing attacks. Additionally, the presentation will discuss the "Run, Hide, Fight" approach to handling active threats and include a demonstration of the "Stop the Bleed" concept using a tourniquet device. Lastly, it will feature a brief discussion on the evolution of active shooter response, based on the presenter's personal experiences responding to two school shootings during his EMS and law enforcement career.

Sal Cortez is the President/CEO of The International School of Tactical Medicine (ISTM), developing scenario-based Active Shooter response courses for both law enforcement and civilians. He is a retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant with 40 years of law enforcement and EMS experience, having responded as an officer and paramedic to two separate Active Shooter events in his career. He has also worked as a POST subject matter expert since 2010 and has provided expertise in the areas of First Aid and Tactical Medicine.

Presenter: Salvador Cortez, President/CEO – International School of Tactical Medicine LLC

Room: Catalina C2

The Secret: Navigating Available Resources and Services, for the Safety of our Students

As the landscape of school safety funding and available resources currently continues to evolve for all of us, it is critical that we receive information relative to trusted and reliable sources. To that end we will be supplying direct information to you regarding the National Education Safety and Security Initiative (NESSI), UCLA ,Fielding School of Public Health to discuss and offer assistance.

NESSI provides multiple services to school districts, county offices of education, community colleges, and charter schools. Services include safe schools' assistance and information, child welfare, attendance, staff development, job descriptions, Security Chief/Director qualifications and in-service training.*Specializing in School Security Courses for both Administrators and Security Staff.

Presenter: Bryan Astrachan, Coordinator, National Education Safety and Security Initiative (NESSI) – UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Room: Catalina C3

Building Resilience...What is Emotional Safety?

In the past 30 days, 13% of children missed school due to safety concerns at school. Creating secure, trustworthy, and collaborative workplaces requires physical and emotional safety, relational trust, and the role of trusted adults. 
 
This workshop will provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to promote the well-being and achievement of adult and young individuals through self-care and trauma-informed practices. Participants will delve into understanding various types of trauma, how trauma impacts the brain, and the importance of feeling a sense of belonging and emotional safety to increase students' attendance. The session also aims to guide participants in adopting trauma-informed approaches within educational and community settings. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research has established a link between early childhood experiences of abuse or neglect and negative outcomes later in life. Six questions related to ACEs were included in the 2022 Arizona Youth Survey. The most frequently reported ACE among all surveyed youth included having parents who were ever separated or divorced (39.7%), living with adults who insulted or put you down (32.1%), and living with an alcoholic (30.2%). Sixty-one percent of students reported at least one ACE. Practical strategies and resources will be provided to support the success of children and teenagers, emphasizing the importance of creating safe, trusting, and collaborative environments and the importance of the role of the trusted adult as a protective factor.

 
Presenters: Stephanie Cinque and Christina Garza, Sr. Director, Business Development & Educational Partnerships – Sandy Hook Promise (Connecticut)

Room: Avalon 2

Coping with Anxiety: Practical Strategies for Administrators, Educators, and Students

After suffering anxiety for over 30 years, author Dave Rooney was able to grip his crippling anxiety. He recently released his book “Journey Through Anxiety: A Troubadour’s Tale” to critical acclaim. In this presentation, Dave provides the story of his life and journey through self-discovery in learning to harness his anxiety and experience great success as a performer, author, and filmmaker.
During this presentation, Dave will provide practical strategies for administrators and educators to learn to regulate feelings of anxiety, promote positive mental well-being, and prevent burnout through the story of his own life. Dave partners with Aimee Piller, an occupational therapist who specializes in children and youth, to present strategies that educators can use with their students to promote mental well-being and help students learn to become independent in navigating feelings of anxiety and depression that plague so many. The strategies presented provide an evidence-based method to help students modify habits and routines in a way that promotes mental well-being that will last a lifetime.

 Presenters: David Anthony Rooney and Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA (Arizona) 
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