As we continue our transition to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, we are excited about the opportunities this move brings to better serve our schools, students and communities. Our mission remains the same: to provide the resources, training and support needed to ensure safe and secure learning environments across the state. With our new home at the SBI, we are strengthening our ability to collaborate with law enforcement and education leaders, enhancing our capacity to respond effectively to school safety challenges.
We appreciate your patience as we work toward launching a fully functioning website that will serve as a comprehensive hub for school safety resources. This transition marks a new chapter in our commitment to protecting North Carolina’s schools, and we look forward to expanding our efforts to provide even greater support. Thank you for partnering with us in this important mission.
The Center for Safer Schools serves as a central resource for information and technical assistance on school safety, supporting faculty and staff, law enforcement, youth-serving community agencies, juvenile justice officials, policymakers, parents/guardians and students.
Our staff is dedicated to addressing key areas such as school climate, discipline and emergency preparedness for K-12 schools across North Carolina. We offer training, guidance and technical assistance upon request to school faculty, staff and professionals working with children and adolescents, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to create safer learning environments. The CFSS Regional School Safety Specialists (RSSS) are subject matter experts dedicated to providing resources, technical assistance and training to public school units and their designated safety directors. They play a crucial role in supporting schools by ensuring compliance with North Carolina’s legislative mandates on school safety, including the development of School Risk Management Plans, tabletop exercises, safety protocols and more.
To better serve schools across the state, specialists are strategically assigned to the eight designated regions of North Carolina, offering localized support and guidance tailored to each region’s unique needs. The CFSS School Safety Training Coordinator collaborates with various sections within the Center for Safer Schools to organize both internal and external training opportunities. External trainings cover a wide range of critical topics, including Youth Mental Health First Aid, Active Assailant Simulation Training for School Resource Officers (SROs), School Risk Management Plans (SRMP), Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM/BeTA), Crisis Intervention Training for Youth, EKG2 and Critical Incident Response Training, among others.
The Legislative and Communication Section plays a vital role in supporting the Center for Safer Schools by promoting its vision and advocating for school safety among school staff, the general public and elected officials. Team members actively engage with the North Carolina General Assembly to secure funding for essential school safety initiatives, including School Safety Grants, School Resource Officer Grants and the RISE Back to School Safety Summit.
Additionally, the team keeps stakeholders informed about the latest developments at the Center for Safer Schools through social media, the monthly newsletter and YouTube updates from our Executive Director.
The Center for Safer Schools Student Engagement Team partners with school districts and charter schools to foster a positive school climate by providing students with training, resources and education on community and school safety. Through a variety of programs and monthly workshops, the team empowers students to take an active role in creating safer learning environments.
Current programs include:
SAVE Clubs – A partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, promoting student-led initiatives focused on safety and inclusion.
Supporting, Educating, Empowering and Developing (SEED) Program – A yearlong leadership program for 9th- through 12th-grade students, equipping them with the skills to become school safety advocates within their communities.
Safe, Healthy, Interactive, Nurturing, Empowerment (SHINE) Program – Designed for 6th- through 8th-grade students, SHINE helps middle schoolers understand school climate and its impact on safety, empowering them to create a secure and supportive learning environment.
The NC Center for Safer Schools provides comprehensive support to public school units (PSUs) through programs designed to enhance school safety, fulfill legislative requirements and ensure a secure learning environment for all students and staff.
One of our key initiatives is the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SSARS), a free, statewide program that empowers students, staff and community members to confidentially report safety concerns. SSARS not only helps PSUs meet legislative requirements but also allows us to track data and trends across North Carolina, identifying potential risks and areas of improvement.
Additionally, we support schools in implementing the RAVE Panic Alarm, a mandatory statewide emergency alert system in partnership with NC Emergency Management. This critical tool ensures rapid communication with first responders during emergencies. Our team also assists PSUs in navigating RAVE requirements, troubleshooting issues and answering questions related to its use.
Beyond technology and reporting systems, we actively engage with parents and guardians, addressing concerns about school discipline and safety. By fostering open communication, we help families better understand policies and procedures that impact their children.
Finally, through data analysis and trend tracking, we work closely with the CFSS Training Section, advising on potential training needs for PSUs based on real-time insights. This proactive approach ensures that schools receive the most relevant and effective training to improve school safety statewide.
The Behavioral Health Section of the Center for Safer Schools is committed to enhancing safety and well-being across North Carolina’s public schools. We provide essential tools, training and support for Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) and mental health initiatives, ensuring schools are equipped to identify and address potential threats while fostering a culture of care and resilience.
Aligned with Session Law 2023-78 (House Bill 605), we offer expert guidance on establishing BTAM teams, along with technical assistance and resources to mitigate threats. Our work also extends to mental health support, resilience-building and crisis intervention, in accordance with Session Law 2021-180 (Senate Bill 105).
Coming 2024-25: NC CFSS BTAM will collaborate with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s BeTA teams to create a coordinated statewide support system for public school units (PSUs), strengthening school safety through unified expertise and resources.
Together, we’re building safer, more resilient schools.
The Physical Security & Compliance section of the Center for Safer Schools is dedicated to ensuring the safety of North Carolina’s public schools through technical assistance, training and resources that align with state mandates and best practices.
Our team supports schools in implementing the School Risk Management Plan (SRMP) and the State Emergency Response Application (SERA) – two integrated tools that provide first responders with critical emergency plans for every school in the state.
Our Key Responsibilities:
Through these initiatives, we help schools create safer learning environments for students, staff and communities across North Carolina.
The Center for Safer Schools Training Calendar lists both in-person and virtual training sessions hosted by CFSS staff throughout our eight regions. Each PSU attendee will need to register individually using the link located on the calendar entry. To request training for your public school unit, please complete the training request form.
The RISE Back to School Safety Summit focuses on the Resiliency, Information, Support and Empowerment needed when supporting children and adolescents in schools and communities. The training offers a range of sessions covering the issues of bullying, suicide, critical incidents and other vital information about trauma and victimization among children and adolescents, and how these various dynamics impact school climate and school safety. Trainings have included Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management gang awareness, School Risk Management Plans, reportable offenses, suicide prevention and SAVE Promise Club.
The 2025 RISE Back to School Safety Summit will be held from Monday, July 28 to Wednesday, July 30 at the Statesville Civic Center in Statesville, N.C. Click here to register.