The Biden-Harris administration, in collaboration with multiple U.S. departments, launched an awareness campaign for school safety, aiming to equip schools with resources through SchoolSafety.gov for the upcoming academic year. The campaign will focus on supporting school administrators, teachers, parents and local government officials with safety resources, according to an Aug. 17 news release.
"Government has few responsibilities more important than ensuring the safety of our communities – especially our children," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in the release. "The Department of Homeland Security and our partners in the Biden-Harris administration are working together to make sure every child and educator enjoys the safe and secure environment they deserve."
In a significant move aimed at enhancing school safety, the Biden-Harris Administration worked with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Education, Health and Human Services and Justice, the release reported. Aimed at back-to-school season, the campaign's launch is designed to ensure schools are equipped with the tools needed for safe and supportive learning environments.
This initiative aligns with the goals of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, enhancing the implementation of programs that support families, communities and schools in their school safety strategies and reflecting the broader commitment of the Biden-Harris administration to improving safety in schools and communities, the release reported. A key aspect of this law is the Luke and Alex School Safety Act, which mandates the identification and online publication of evidence-based practices to boost school safety.
SchoolSafety.gov, a website run by the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse, serves as a central hub for these resources. The site offers hundreds of evidence-based practices and resources to enhance school safety. These materials range from bullying prevention to mental health support, emergency planning and violence prevention, the release said.
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona described SchoolSafety.gov as the "one-stop shop" for resources and approaches to create safe learning environments, according to the release.
The campaign will offer various resources, such as videos, a communications toolkit and infographics. A dedicated hub on SchoolSafety.gov, accessible throughout August and September, will host an informational webinar focusing on federal training and assistance related to school safety, the release reported.
