Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program

Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP)

Alaska Safe Communities and Schools Project

Funded through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), this project helps Alaska schools and communities strengthen safety, crisis response, and cybersecurity. Educating for Leadership and partners are working with districts across the state to build safer, more connected learning environments and keep students, staff, and communities secure.

About Bryne SCIP

Project at a Glance

Funder: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP)
Focus: School safety, crisis response, and cybersecurity
Location: Alaska schools & communities
Partners: Educating for Leadership and local districts
Key Components: Leadership teams, safety training, cybersecurity, youth leadership

Project Overview

Alaska community members, school leaders, staff, and students need practical, modern approaches to school safety and cybersecurity. With support from federal Byrne SCIP funding, the Alaska Safe Communities and Schools project follows an eight-step framework to strengthen safety and wellness, improve crisis response, and protect the physical and digital assets that support learning.

Eight Key Steps to Safer Schools & Communities

Increase Awareness & Train Employees

Community teams are trained on security policies, procedures, and best practices that protect social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being in a supportive learning environment, with a focus on the five C’s of Safety - consciousness, compassion, confidence, courage, and community.

Establish a Safe Communities & Schools Leadership Team

Each community forms a leadership team, including tribal representatives, district leadership, safety officers, mental health providers, and evaluators—to define what “safe and secure” means locally and guide project implementation.

Conduct a Security Assessment

District safety officers are trained to conduct security assessments that review policies, physical security, and current practices to identify vulnerabilities and ensure student safety, equity, and dignity.

Develop a Security Plan

A statewide interagency team creates a quick-reference Critical Incident Response Playbook. Each district then updates its required safety plan based on local vulnerability and risk assessments as required by AS 14.33.100.

Prioritize Initiatives

Communities engage students, families, educators, and staff to identify and prioritize safety goals, objectives, and activities, with an emphasis on continuous awareness and improvement.

Implement Physical & Technology Solutions

Districts implement technology and physical safety solutions such as access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and other integrated tools that address identified concerns.

Develop Policies & Procedures

Districts design community-centered policies, procedures, and practices that promote safety while respecting equity and dignity for all students.

Monitor & Evaluate

A leadership team of partner organizations reviews data, conducts regular assessments, and gathers feedback from stakeholders to continuously refine and improve the program.

Increase Awareness & Train Employees Community teams are trained on security policies, procedures, and best practices that protect social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being in a supportive learning environment, with a focus on the five C’s of Safety - consciousness, compassion, confidence, courage, and community. Establish a Safe Communities & Schools Leadership Team Each community forms a leadership team—including tribal representatives, district leadership, safety officers, mental health providers, and evaluators—to define what “safe and secure” means locally and guide project implementation. Conduct a Security Assessment District safety officers are trained to conduct security assessments that review policies, physical security, and current practices to identify vulnerabilities and ensure student safety, equity, and dignity. Develop a Security Plan A statewide interagency team creates a quick-reference Critical Incident Response Playbook. Each district then updates its required safety plan based on local vulnerability and risk assessments. Prioritize Initiatives Communities engage students, families, educators, and staff to identify and prioritize safety goals, objectives, and activities, with an emphasis on continuous awareness and improvement. Implement Physical & Technology Solutions Districts implement technology and physical safety solutions such as access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and other integrated tools that address identified concerns. Develop Policies & Procedures Districts design community-centered policies, procedures, and practices that promote safety while respecting equity and dignity for all students. Monitor & Evaluate A leadership team of partner organizations reviews data, conducts regular assessments, and gathers feedback from stakeholders to continuously refine and improve the program.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Strengthen School-Community Connections for Safety

Create a stronger and more trusting connection between schools and communities, resulting in measurably safer environments as shown by surveys, focus groups, and behavior records.

Key Objectives & Activities:

Increase awareness of what constitutes a threat and how to respond appropriately.
Convene a project Leadership Team that meets regularly.
Engage M.C. Kimball and Associates, LLC to conduct a 360-degree site safety audit and Threat Vulnerability Assessment, including Active Shooter/Violent Intruder readiness and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.
Gather community input on safety recommendations and solutions; prioritize key concerns and responses.
Update and enhance the state-required District School Crisis/Emergency Response Plan.
Develop and deliver community presentations on key safety practices.
Schedule statewide training opportunities for school/community teams.
Train teachers and staff on “We’ve Got Your Back,” safety best practices, and integrating lessons into instruction.
Provide asynchronous online Campus Safety Supervisor/Security Officer training.

Objective – Increase Mindfulness of the Five C’s of Safety

Implement “We’ve Got Your Back,” built on evidence-based research from federal agencies.
Use DEED’s Transforming Schools: A Framework for Trauma Engaged Practice in Alaska.
Train safety officers on “Elements of Safety and Situational Awareness” and how to teach them.
Support staff, community, and students in practicing conscious, spatial, informed, and sensory awareness.
Share safety information widely with community members using approved communication channels.

Goal 2 – Create a Cyber-Safe Environment

Create a cyber-safe environment for schools and communities with refreshed cybersecurity audits, updated safe cyber practices, and stronger community awareness—aiming to increase the sense of safety by 80% and eliminate cyber-related disciplinary incidents.

Key Objectives & Activities

Conduct cybersecurity audits of student internet access and the policies and procedures that govern online communication and interaction.
Provide virtual or live cyber training on protecting school networks and digital assets (e.g., firewalls, strong passwords, identity protection).
Develop cyber-safe and cyberbullying mini-lessons and digital badges that appeal to students and community members.
Establish a leadership subcommittee that uses tools such as a RACI Matrix, Program Charter, Dashboard for Program Management, and a risk register to identify and manage potential problems.
Conduct phishing simulations and increase community awareness of phishing and other common online threats.
Offer web-based independent training opportunities focused on cybersecurity best practices.
Perform vulnerability scanning and coordinate remediation to address identified risks.
Conduct a policy gap analysis and develop or update policies and procedures as needed, with monthly reporting on program status and progress; synchronize results with findings from Goal 1.
Provide detailed workstream forecasts, including threat models, emerging trends, concerns, and community-specific updates.
Complete summer technical reviews of the environment using tools such as CISv8 and a Cybersecurity Rubric.
Update parents, guardians, extended family members, community members, and elders on safe social media use and how to monitor and encourage safe online interactions.
Train staff to recognize and address disproportionate bullying and harassment that impact students with disabilities in digital spaces.

Goal 3 – Develop Youth Leadership for Safety

Develop middle and high school students’ leadership skills so they can promote safety through digital platforms and place-based projects, with each school producing at least one culturally grounded safety project documented in photos or videos and shared with other communities.

Key Objectives & Activities

Implement youth leadership training through school student councils, focusing on Growth Mindset, Design Thinking, and problem-solving for community safety projects.
Provide participation support funds to help students design and carry out community engagement projects that promote violence prevention and safe, supportive learning environments.
Engage students in activities that prevent violence by creating safe, healthy, and supportive school climates that improve student well-being and academic outcomes.
Maintain a continuous presence of guest speakers, forums, and online courses throughout the school year to reinforce safety, youth leadership, and civic responsibility.
Use guest speakers to help bridge youth leadership with tribal council leadership, encouraging graduates to continue serving their communities.
Work with students to practice conscious, spatial, informed, and sensory awareness as part of their leadership and safety training.
Support students in developing and documenting place-based safety projects (videos, photographs, and other digital media) that reflect local cultural values and can be shared with other communities to enhance safety for all.