The CARES Podcast Center for Assessment, Research, and Educational Safety

This episode is centered around the significance of positive school climates and effective intervention strategies within schools. As we speak with Nancy Galle, Rod Pruitt, and John Phillips from the Region 14 Education Service Center we gain insight into the role of an ESC, some of there experiences, and knowledge on aspects that can keep our kids safe.


Join us as we delve into the critical role that school environments play in shaping student well-being, academic success, and overall school culture.

Join us on the CARES podcast as we unravel the world of charter schools with Mr. Craig Toney from the SHSU Charter School team. Gain insights into the purpose, challenges, and future trends of charter schools in Texas.

In this episode, we focus on behavioral threat assessment with Stacy Carter, Former Director of School Safety and now TEA School Safety Agent. Gain insights into the definition, application, and future trends of threat assessment, as well as its connection to suicide prevention. Discover the importance of community and parent involvement in ensuring safer learning environments. Follow us on social media @SHSUEdSafety for updates and stay informed on pressing issues in school safety on the CARES podcast.

Dr. Matthew Fuller meets with Francesca Newman, a Licensed
Professional Counselor at Humble ISD, and Corporal Jeffery Vadzemneiks, Mental Health Officer at Humble ISD. Together, we explore the essential elements of maintaining secure classrooms, advocating for mental health, forming partnerships with the local police department and mental health team, and implementing de-escalation tactics in classrooms. Our guests share insights
from their extensive experiences within the education system, highlighting their endeavors to destigmatize mental health. This includes reshaping policies, building student-led initiatives, fostering connections within the school community, overcoming educational barriers in assessing mental health resources and program development, and creating conversations around safety and security. They emphasize the importance of building a sense of community, ensuring that at least one person within the school is a trusted figure for students.

Dr. Matthew Fuller meets with Safer School’s Together Project and Training Manager, Colton Easton, as they dive into the world of social media looking into its multifaced dimensions and influence on our educational system and the well-being of our youth. Dr. Fuller and Colton Easton analyze both the benefits and opportunities social media provides, as well as the inherent risks and challenges it presents.

Compassion Collaborative is a philosophy that helps with the betterment of students and families. It revolutionized the need to find new ways to form relationships with students by grouping both counselor and law enforcement approaches in handling school matters. In this month’s episode, Dr. Matthew Fuller talks with Abygail Kinard, Student Support/ Social-Emotional Counselor, and Jeff Kimberly, Sergeant, at Friendswood ISD to discuss how they have implemented this approach.