The Journey to Safer Schools ZeroNow

The official launch event of the National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD), a pivotal initiative aimed at fostering safer educational environments across the United States. This webinar features a distinguished lineup of speakers and a panel of the nation's top school safety experts.Program Schedule:Welcome (5 minutes)Introduction by Ara Bagdasarian , President ZeroNowOpening Remarks (5 minutes)


Jason Stoddard, Chair of NCSSD
Brief overview of the National Council's vision and objectives


Special guest, U.S. Member of Congress Tony Gonzales (R-Tex), will address the national importance of school safety and the role of the new council.


Jason Stoddard , Charles County Public SchoolsDirector of Safety & Security
Danielle Stevens , Lake Zurich CUSD, Director of Safety & Security
Mark Lomax , George SchoolDirector of Campus Safety
Mike Matranga, Houston, TX, School Safety Director (ret)


Summary of discussions and key takeaways
Closing statements by Ara Bagdasarian

Keynote Speech (10 minutes)Panel Discussion (30 minutes)Moderator: Ara BagdasarianPanelists include several leading school safety directors from various statesClosing Remarks (5 minutes)

In the ongoing mission to safeguard our schools, securing adequate funding stands as a pivotal challenge. The "Path to Safer Schools" series proudly introduces its vital session, "Fund Your Safety Program: Strategies for Securing Resources." This panel discussion is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of funding school safety initiatives, offering a beacon of hope and practical solutions to schools across the spectrum.We invite you to engage with a panel of esteemed experts, including veteran educators, grant-writing specialists, and representatives from funding bodies, who will share their knowledge and experience. This webinar aims to empower participants with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the funding landscape, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the implementation of crucial safety measures in our educational institutions.Special GuestsLynette C. ChamblissUSDOJ-COPS OFFICELynette Chambliss has been with the COPS Office, a Department of Justice agency that provides funding and resources to state, local, and tribal law enforcement, since 2007 having started as a high school intern. Lynette is Program Development for Grants Operations and has worked on several programs with the COPS Office including the COPS Hiring Program, the Anti-Meth and Anti-Heroin programs, Secure Our Schools, COPS in Schools, among others. She has managed the School Violence Prevention Program since its inception in 2018.Christine E.B. HowardE.B. Howard ConsultingChristine E.B. Howard, the visionary founder and CEO of E.B. Howard Consulting, a certified Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise dedicated to guiding clients in securing, applying for, and evaluating the impact of non-dilutive grant funding. Her commitment to fostering equal and equitable funding opportunities for historically marginalized founders in the startup community underscores her dedication to nurturing an innovation ecosystem conducive to inclusive economic development. Danielle MyersStatus SolutionsSince 2008 Danielle Myers has held numerous positions within the mission-based organization, Status Solutions. Currently she is the Chief Sales Officer and Lead Evangelist where she uses her expertise in situational awareness technologies to customize solutions, fulfill each customer’s unique needs, and spread the Status Solutions’ message of leaving each situation better than we found it. Danielle’s experiences in varying markets include, but are not limited to, senior living, healthcare, education, manufacturing, hospitality, and government. She is responsible for leading the sales and engineering teams to design, deliver, and maintain solutions for integrated alarm management and automated mass notification systems. Most recently she has put her talents towards developing the Status Solutions Network, a school safety funding program designed to ensure that schools never go without proper situational awareness. Danielle is a graduate of The Ohio State University and an expert on middleware integration technologies for situational and environmental awareness.

The episode features an insightful interview with Jeff Morgan, who brings a wealth of experience from his military background to the domain of campus and corporate security. Jeff discusses his transition from the Air Force to spearheading emergency management and physical security initiatives at the University of Central Florida, and eventually moving into corporate security with LendingTree. He shares valuable lessons learned in the military that have informed his approach to security, emphasizing the importance of layered defenses, comprehensive planning, standardized protocols, and the integration of technology in safeguarding campuses and corporate environments.

Highlighting the challenges faced in campus security, including budget constraints and the necessity for dedicated security personnel, Jeff stresses the need for support from top administration to foster a culture of safety and to effectively implement security measures. He also touches upon the role of technology, like AI for gun detection, as a solution to staffing challenges and enhancing security measures.

Jeff expresses his ongoing commitment to school safety through his involvement with Zero Now, a community aimed at driving innovation and investment in school safety. Through his experiences and current endeavors, Jeff underscores the multifaceted approach required to advance campus safety, incorporating lessons from the military, the value of continuous improvement, and the adoption of new technologies to meet evolving security needs.

ZeroNow Conversations. Episode 34



The "Path to Safer Schools" series proudly presents its next critical installment: "Assessing School Safety Vulnerabilities: A Comprehensive Approach." This insightful panel discussion aims to delve deep into the complexities of identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities within our educational environments, ensuring the well-being and security of students and staff alike.

Join us as we bring together a distinguished panel of experts, including renowned school safety professionals, experienced educators, and leading security technology innovators, for an enlightening conversation on the multifaceted aspects of school safety assessment. This session will give attendees a holistic view of the current challenges and innovative strategies to create a secure learning atmosphere.


SPECIAL GUESTS:

Glenn Norling
Special Agent (Ret)·
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Glenn Norling is a retired FBI Special Agent, and the Owner and Principal Consultant at TBR Consulting LLC, founded in 2020, providing world-class emergency planning, crisis management, and active shooter preparation consultation services and training.

Glenn also serves as the Executive Director for P.R.O. Community Advisors for the Active Shooter Prevention Project.

Glenn is a certified FBI crisis manager, an FBI instructor, and FBI adjunct faculty. Throughout his 20-year career, he worked as a field investigator, a field supervisory special agent, as well as a supervisory special agent at the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group in Quantico, Virginia.

Glenn has trained over 25,000 people in active shooter awareness and preparation since 2014. Glenn has a passion for preparedness. He has extensive experience in national-level training exercises, as well as local critical incident and special event planning, training, preparation, and response.

He is a court-designated expert witness for school emergency drills and has written numerous articles for multiple law enforcement publications.

He is a member of the National Tactical Officers Association, the National Association of School Resource Officers, the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, and is a lifetime member of the FBI Agents Association.

Glenn is also an avid outdoorsman, shooter, Gunsite graduate, and member of the American Warrior Society.

Chief Valdimir Talley
Safety and Security Administrator
Decatur Public Schools

Chief Talley is a thirty-six-year veteran police professional. He began his career as a correctional deputy with Champaign County, Illinois and later served with the Illinois Department of Conservation, and then with the Illinois State Police. Chief Talley concluded his law enforcement career as the Chief for Maywood, Illinois. In 2021, he began consulting on security matters until January 2023 when he assumed a position with the Decatur Public Schools District 61 as their Department Head for school security.



Carli Ducko
School Safety Specialist
Montgomery County Department of Public Safety
As a former Correctional Officer, she entered this Law Enforcement profession after working at different educational levels throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. she is also an "Autism Mom", who is passionate about promoting and discussing the specific needs of neurodivergent individuals

In this enlightening episode of the Desensitized series, host Michael Campanella sits down with security expert Jose Figueroa for a critical discussion on enhancing safety in our schools. From simple, actionable steps to the advanced potential of artificial intelligence, Figueroa offers a comprehensive guide to securing educational environments. Whether you're a concerned parent, a proactive student, or an educator seeking to make a difference, this interview sheds light on the essential measures that can be taken to protect our schools and ensure the safety of students and staff alike. Dive into the practicalities of security assessments, the role of CCTV, the importance of drills, and the transformative power of AI in preempting threats. Plus, discover how community involvement and accountability can drive the implementation of these crucial safety protocols. Don't miss these valuable insights—watch now to learn how we can all contribute to making our schools safer.

ZeroNow Conversations. Episode 33

In an era where school safety has never been more critical, the foundation of a secure learning environment begins with a comprehensive, cohesive team approach. We're thrilled to introduce our inaugural webinar, "Start with a Safety Team: The First Step on the Path to Safer Schools." This session is designed to empower educators, administrators, and community stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to build and sustain an effective school safety team.

Joining our esteemed guests who bring a wealth of experience and insight:

Ron Self, Director of Security, Little Rock School District

Kelly Martin, Deputy Director of School Safety, Seminole County Sheriff's Office/Seminole County Public Schools

Jill Lemond, Former Assistant Superintendent of Safety & School Operations

Each speaker brings unique perspectives from their respective fields, encompassing law enforcement, educational administration, and innovative security solutions. They will share their experiences and strategies for forming a robust and effective safety team.

This interactive webinar marks the beginning of our series on the Path to Safer Schools. It will focus on the pivotal role that a well-structured safety team plays in creating and maintaining a secure educational atmosphere. Participants will be guided through the key components of assembling a multidisciplinary team, encompassing representatives from teaching staff, administration, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community members, all dedicated to the safety and well-being of students and staff.

We invite you to join us for this essential conversation on advancing school safety.

https://community.zeronow.org/c/conversations/q-a-doj-special-report-robb-elementary-debrief