i_schsafety_2016a_2016-09-13t09:06:54z0 Hearing Summary
Date: 09/13/2016
Final
Update on Arapahoe High School Reports Review Working Group
SCHOOL SAFETY AND YOUTH IN CRISIS
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09:07 AM -- Update on Arapahoe High School Reports Review Working Group
Senator Scheffel, chair, called the meeting to order. Roll call was taken. Senator Scheffel asked the committee members to reintroduce themselves and talk about any relevant projects they have been working on since the committee last met. He asked Christine Harms, Director of the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC), and Kate O'Donnell, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to come to the table to begin their presentation. Ms. Harms and Ms. O'Donnell distributed a copy of a report entitled Review of the Three Arapahoe High School Shooting 2013 Reports (Attachment A). Ms. Harms discussed the mission and purpose of the group that conducted the review, called the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Reports Working Group (CSSRC RWG). Ms. O'Donnell explained that all 3 of the Arapahoe High School reports (Arapahoe reports) had five recommendations in common: the need for climate surveys; information sharing agreements between schools and law enforcement; Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) training for school staff; utilization of the 11 questions on the US Secret Service school threat assessment; and promotion of the Safe2Tell program. Ms. Harms and Ms. O'Donnell talked about the threat assessment training provided by the CSSRC, as well as the recommendations made in the 3 Arapahoe reports with which the group agreed and the five recommendations in the reports with which the group disagreed. Ms. Harms and Ms. O'Donnell answered questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.
16SchoolSafety0913AttachA.pdf
09:32 AM
The committee discussed the difference between the Healthy Kids Colorado survey and general climate surveys about school safety. Ms. Harms continued her presentation and talked about the group's concern regarding the need for additional resources in order to implement the majority of the recommendations made in the three Arapahoe reports, and explained that the most needed resources include personnel, time, and training. Ms. Harms answered a question regarding the collaboration between the CSSRC and the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program.
09:42 AM
Ms. Harms and Ms. O'Donnell continued to answer questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.