Corpus Christi To Host More Than 1,200 For Texas School Safety Conference

SAN MARCOS – The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) at Texas State University will host the 2^nd Annual Texas School Safety Conference June 23-27 at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi.

Themed “School Safety: A Shared Responsibility,” the conference will bring together 1,200 educators, school administrators, law enforcement officers and school safety professionals to learn and share current strategies for improving school safety in Texas.

The conference will feature nationally-renowned speakers, including John-Michael Keyes of the “I Love U Guys” Foundation and author of the Standard Response Protocol.

Natalie Hammond, a survivor of the Sandy Hook school shooting, will discuss resiliency and the need to build safe environments for all. The conference will close with thought-provoking insights into human nature and ethical behavior from John Quiñones, host of the ABC television series “What Would You Do?”

Participants will also attend breakout sessions addressing current school safety best practices. Topics include threat assessment, an update on school safety from the governor’s office, mental health First Aid, dating violence prevention, a Stop the Bleed course and many others.

A featured panel of school, law enforcement and mental health professionals will share how they collaborated to provide mental health services after the May 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School.

“Our goal is for participants to return to their communities equipped with new tools and strategies to help them create safe and healthy learning environments where all students can thrive,” said Kathy Martinez-Prather, TxSSC director.

During the conference, the TxSSC will also recognize outstanding school and law enforcement officials with School Safety Spotlight Awards. These individuals and programs exemplify best practices and have strengthened their schools’ and communities’ efforts to prepare for a safer tomorrow.

The TxSSC is an official university-level research center at Texas State. Its mission is to serve schools and communities to create safe, secure and healthy environments.

The TxSSC provides safety and security information through research, training, and technical assistance for K-12 schools and junior colleges throughout the state of Texas. To learn more about the conference and the resources the TxSSC offers, visit http://txssc.txstate.edu.