Every child deserves to learn in a safe environment. Every parent deserves peace of mind knowing his or her child remains safe while at school. Every educator deserves safe working conditions as he or she commits to the care and enrichment of students.

With support from the governor, state legislators, public safety community and the many educators, students and parents with a stake in maintaining a safe environment, Hoosier schools have invested wisely in personnel, equipment and planning to ensure schools remain a sanctuary for learning and development. This includes more than $180 million invested via Secured School Fund grants as well as a variety of initiatives and trainings offered by the Indiana Department of Education and through federal funding sources.

Hoosiers also understand nothing is ever guaranteed in today’s climate. School violence has impacted dozens of schools around the country since the Columbine shooting in 1999. Indiana must address gaps in areas that that go beyond hardening buildings and training to respond to incidents. In 2018, a team of state leaders and subject matter experts convened to examine existing school protections and explore new ways to keep schools safe. Out of their efforts came a number of school safety recommendations.

The Indiana School Safety Hub website represents an important component of the state’s strategy to streamline information and safety-related resources available to communities across the state. Indiana offers a multitude of resources, trainings and mental health services, but it can be daunting for someone in need to find things quickly and effectively. Furthermore, some schools may be unaware of funding opportunities to enhance school safety or how to conduct threat assessments and train educators to look for warning signs of distress among students. This website shares with students, educators and the general community many valuable resources that could help prevent violence in Hoosier schools.