Sessions At‑a‑glance

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kilimanjaro Ballroom
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
OPENING GENERAL SESSION

Emily Torok - Ohio School Safety Center
Student Safety Advisory Council
Marc Mero - Inspirational Speaker / Author / Youth‑Family Advocate & Former Professional Wrestler

"CHOICES"

Marc Mero
Inspirational Speaker / Author / Youth‑Family Advocate
& Former Professional Wrestler

Marc’s message is making a powerful difference in the lives of students worldwide, and his inspiring story is more needed than ever to help address today’s challenges. He connects with students through his enthusiasm and former WWE Wrestling Champion persona while covering critical topics such as bullying, peer pressure, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other issues important to school communities. Through his life‑changing Champion of Choices presentation, Marc empowers students to improve their lives and continues to receive hundreds of heartfelt messages from those he has inspired.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kilimanjaro Ballroom
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch & Learn

Emily Torok - Ohio School Safety Center

Enjoy a delicious, provided lunch to sustain you through the rest of your day. Take a stroll through our exhibit area to visit our vendors.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Aligning Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management with a Multi-Tiered System of Support: Building a Continuum of Prevention and Intervention

Kelsey Morris, Ph.D. - U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC)

This session will explore how aligning Behavioral Threat Assessment and (BTAM) with multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) positions districts and schools to proactively support students whose behavior elicits concern for risk of harm to themselves or others. New guidance from the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center will be featured.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
East Palestine Train Derailment: Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Chris Neifer - Boardman Local Schools

This presentation will highlight the unprecedented challenges faced by East Palestine City Schools in the immediate aftermath of the February 3, 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment, which involved hazardous materials, prolonged fires, and controlled burns. Attendees will hear firsthand lessons learned regarding crisis decision-making, coordination with emergency management agencies, communication with families and staff, and maintaining student and staff safety amid uncertainty. The session will focus on practical insights that can help school leaders strengthen preparedness, response protocols, and community trust during large-scale emergencies.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Event Action Plans for Large Scale Events and After School Preparedness

Douglas Smith - Ohio School Safety Center

This session, led by the Ohio School Safety Center, helps establish life safety priorities, implement a unified command structure, and complete an event action plan using Incident Command System (ICS) forms and relevant annexes.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Every Student, Every Day: Building Safety Through School-Based Health Care

Gabrielle Yeater - Mansfield City Schools
Kendra Leigh Connell - Third Street Family Health Services
Amanda Elliott - Third Street Family Health Services
Britny Queen - Third Street Family Health Services
Angela Pinkston - Third Street Family Health Services

This session highlights how Malabar Care Connect, a fully integrated school-based health center within Mansfield City Schools, strengthens school safety by addressing the physical, mental, and social-emotional needs of students and families. Through medical care, counseling, community health workers, and strategic family engagement, the model removes barriers to learning and improves attendance and student well-being. Participants will gain insight into building sustainable partnerships that create safer, healthier school communities.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE)

Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Mike Miller - FBI

In this session, we examine Nihilistic Violent Extremism and discuss the FBI’s global efforts to combat this threat.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Ohio CARES: A Behavioral Threat Assessment Model

Dale Gooding - Ohio School Safety Center

This presentation discusses Ohio CARES, a behavioral threat assessment model designed specifically for Ohio schools and communities. This model focuses on early intervention, preventing targeted violence, reducing suspensions, and supporting student mental health through multidisciplinary teams.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Personal Wellness and Self-Care for Law Enforcement and School Personnel

Steven M. Click - Ohio DPS, First Responder Recruitment and Wellness

Regardless of your occupation, we often put everything and everyone's needs ahead of our own. This course reminds us why we need to take care of ourselves in order to be able to care for others.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Student Breakouts

Student Safety Advisory Council

Interested in hearing safety initiatives directly from students? The Student Breakouts will spotlight capstone projects from members of the Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council. These sessions elevate authentic student voices, giving you a firsthand look at the initiatives they’ve designed and implemented in their own schools. Each session features four students from across Ohio as they present fresh, student‑driven solutions on topics like academic burnout, digital safety, mental health, peer‑led programs, and more! Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from students shaping the future of school safety—join a session and be inspired by the next generation of safety leaders!

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Supporting Transportation Supervisors: Lessons for District Leadership

Andreas Johansson - Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools

This presentation summarizes qualitative research examining the lived experiences of school transportation supervisors in Ohio public school districts. Findings highlight persistent themes of isolation, limited voice in decision-making, leadership trust, and burnout, and offer practical recommendations for superintendents and central office leaders to strengthen organizational support for this critical role.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
The Systems Approach: Examining the Marysville School Attack and Behavioral Warning Signs
LE/Fire/EMS Track
David Gabbard - U.S. Secret Service

This case study uses the Systems Approach to examine the 2014 Marysville Pilchuck High School attack in Marysville, WA. The Systems Approach is an effective way to gather information as part of a threat assessment to identify sources (e.g., law enforcement, employment, community, family, etc.) that may have information about the individual’s actions, stressors, and behaviors that may have concerned others. This case study highlights that there is no profile of a school attacker.

David Gabbard is a military veteran and former law enforcement officer with over 18 years of experience. He served as a Task Force Officer and Deputy Director at the Southeastern Wisconsin Threat Analysis Center before joining the U.S. Secret Service.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Your View, Your Attitude, Your Life

Chad Dunlap - Upshift with Chad

At Upshift with Chad, I help bridge the gap between silence and support, empowering people to recognize struggles and connect with empathy. As a seasoned public speaker, I deliver education, inspiration, and entertainment. Having faced my own challenges, I share powerful messages on mental health, focusing on depression and suicide. I aim to make every event memorable with motivating content. Get ready to be authentically inspired to upshift your view, attitude, and life!

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Aligning Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management with a Multi-Tiered System of Support: Building a Continuum of Prevention and Intervention

Kelsey Morris, Ph.D. - U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC)

This session will explore how aligning Behavioral Threat Assessment and (BTAM) with multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) positions districts and schools to proactively support students whose behavior elicits concern for risk of harm to themselves or others. New guidance from the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center will be featured.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
East Palestine Train Derailment: Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Chris Neifer - Boardman Local Schools

This presentation will highlight the unprecedented challenges faced by East Palestine City Schools in the immediate aftermath of the February 3, 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment, which involved hazardous materials, prolonged fires, and controlled burns. Attendees will hear firsthand lessons learned regarding crisis decision-making, coordination with emergency management agencies, communication with families and staff, and maintaining student and staff safety amid uncertainty. The session will focus on practical insights that can help school leaders strengthen preparedness, response protocols, and community trust during large-scale emergencies.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Every Student, Every Day: Building Safety Through School-Based Health Care

Gabrielle Yeater - Mansfield City Schools
Kendra Leigh Connell - Third Street Family Health Services
Amanda Elliott - Third Street Family Health Services
Britny Queen - Third Street Family Health Services
Angela Pinkston - Third Street Family Health Services

This session highlights how Malabar Care Connect, a fully integrated school-based health center within Mansfield City Schools, strengthens school safety by addressing the physical, mental, and social-emotional needs of students and families. Through medical care, counseling, community health workers, and strategic family engagement, the model removes barriers to learning and improves attendance and student well-being. Participants will gain insight into building sustainable partnerships that create safer, healthier school communities.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
From Concern to Action: A Unified Approach to Behavioral Threat Assessment

Lieutenant Jason Stern L/59 - Grove City Division of Police
Lieutenant Tyler Harris - Hilliard Division of Police
Special Agent Gabi Vogt - FBI
Jamie Lusher, Ph.D. - South Western City School District

Police and school officials all care about school safety, but we rarely speak the same language. Worse than that, even if we are on the same page, both police and school officials are constantly being asked to do more with less time and resources. In major active killer incidents nationwide, many community stakeholders had key pieces to the puzzle that could have alerted authorities prior to the attacks, but too often those stakeholders do not communicate or follow-up with each other. This presentation shares two science-backed methods of triaging student behavior and alarming fact patterns reported to officials. Key phrase: we must collect the dots to connect the dots!

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
How Social Support Can Fight Mental Health and Addiction Stigma

Preston Moore - Sun Behavioral Health

Based on his TED Talk, Preston explores how social support is one of the most underused tools in school safety and prevention. The session connects mental health, addiction, and leadership to real-world challenges faced by educators, officers, and prevention teams. The goal is to build cultures that prioritize resilience, accountability, and prioritize early action.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Personal Wellness and Self-Care for Law Enforcement and School Personnel

Steven M. Click - Ohio DPS, First Responder Recruitment and Wellness

Regardless of your occupation, we often put everything and everyone's needs ahead of our own. This course reminds us why we need to take care of ourselves in order to be able to care for others.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Protecting Students from Fentanyl: A Proven School Prevention Model

Jack Swan - Fentanyl Fathers

This presentation blends evidence-based education with powerful testimony from a family affected by fentanyl poisoning or drug overdose. Attendees will learn what students need to know about counterfeit pills, overdose response, and how schools can strengthen prevention efforts.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Safety First: Facility Dogs in Schools

Alana Stanbery-Sigg - Compass Counseling LLC

Safety First: Facility Dogs in Schools explores how well-designed facility dog programs can strengthen student regulation, and access to mental health supports when implemented with intention and fidelity. This session examines evidence-based frameworks, ethical considerations, and practical implementation strategies that align with school policy, risk management, and equity. Participants will leave with clear guidance for responsibly integrating facility dogs into school systems to enhance student well-being while prioritizing safety and accountability.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Student Breakouts

Student Safety Advisory Council

Interested in hearing safety initiatives directly from students? The Student Breakouts will spotlight capstone projects from members of the Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council. These sessions elevate authentic student voices, giving you a firsthand look at the initiatives they’ve designed and implemented in their own schools. Each session features four students from across Ohio as they present fresh, student‑driven solutions on topics like academic burnout, digital safety, mental health, peer‑led programs, and more! Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from students shaping the future of school safety—join a session and be inspired by the next generation of safety leaders!

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
When Seconds Matter: Unified Command in School-Based Active Threats
LE/Fire/EMS Track
Bryan Kloss - Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management

Bryan Kloss serves as the Operations Manager for the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management in Ohio, where he plays a key leadership role in coordinating regional preparedness, response, and recovery operations. In this role, he supports the county’s Emergency Operations Center and works closely with local, state, and federal partners to manage complex incidents, large-scale exercises, and disaster planning efforts.

Kloss is widely recognized as an accomplished emergency management professional and a forward-thinking leader who has helped advance several innovative public safety initiatives throughout Northeast Ohio. His work has supported the development and coordination of programs such as Rescue Task Force (RTF) response models, homeland security preparedness initiatives, regional training exercises, and the integration of emerging technologies, including unmanned aerial systems (drones) into emergency operations. Through collaborative planning and multi-agency training, he has helped strengthen the region’s ability to respond effectively to complex incidents and mass-casualty events.

With a career dedicated to protecting communities and supporting first responders, Kloss continues to play an important role in enhancing resilience and operational readiness across Cuyahoga County and the broader public safety community.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Your View, Your Attitude, Your Life

Chad Dunlap - Upshift with Chad

At Upshift with Chad, I help bridge the gap between silence and support, empowering people to recognize struggles and connect with empathy. As a seasoned public speaker, I deliver education, inspiration, and entertainment. Having faced my own challenges, I share powerful messages on mental health, focusing on depression and suicide. I aim to make every event memorable with motivating content. Get ready to be authentically inspired to upshift your view, attitude, and life!

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Best Practices for Designing a Swatting Tabletop Exercise

Deputy John A. Loney - Clark Co. Sheriff's Office / Tecumseh Local
Brian C. Dixon - Tecumseh Local Schools

This session will offer a practical framework for creating swatting-focused tabletop exercises that strengthen school emergency response and communication. Participants will learn how to design realistic scenarios, coordinate with law enforcement, address common gaps, and align exercises with district safety plans to enhance preparedness and protect students and staff.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Drills in the Schools - Fire Safety vs. Security: Navigating School Drill Requirements in Today’s Environment
LE/Fire/EMS Track
Alan Smith - State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Commerce

Alan Smith, Code Enforcement Bureau Chief for the State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Commerce, has over 37 years of experience in the fire service. He served as Fire Marshal for WSU for 17.5 years and has worked at the State Fire Marshal's office since 2011.

In September 2017, Alan Smith was appointed Chief of the Code Enforcement Bureau. Previously, he served as Assistant Chief for five years and as Interim Chief for 11 months. With more than 37 years of experience in fire safety and code compliance, Alan brings proven expertise and leadership to the bureau.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Finding Your Vulnerabilities: Intruder Detection Assessments

Derek Varansky, Ph.D. - Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools
Douglas Smith - Ohio School Safety Center

As a school administrator, you are responsible for maintaining a safe learning environment by implementing effective physical and operational security measures. Security assessments identify gaps and vulnerabilities, allowing the school to improve emergency prevention and response. Administrators should develop a response plan to address these vulnerabilities, which may include training staff and students, updating policies and procedures, repairing or replacing equipment, and conducting emergency management exercises or tests.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
From Concern to Action: A Unified Approach to Behavioral Threat Assessment

Lieutenant Jason Stern L/59 - Grove City Division of Police
Lieutenant Tyler Harris - Hilliard Division of Police
Special Agent Gabi Vogt - FBI
Jamie Lusher, Ph.D. - South Western City School District

Police and school officials all care about school safety, but we rarely speak the same language. Worse than that, even if we are on the same page, both police and school officials are constantly being asked to do more with less time and resources. In major active killer incidents nationwide, many community stakeholders had key pieces to the puzzle that could have alerted authorities prior to the attacks, but too often those stakeholders do not communicate or follow-up with each other. This presentation shares two science-backed methods of triaging student behavior and alarming fact patterns reported to officials. Key phrase: we must collect the dots to connect the dots!

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Ohio's Armed School Staff Program and Firearms & Tactics

Scott E. Whatley - Ohio School Safety Center
Joe Sidoti - Ohio School Safety Center
Dinero Ciardelli - Ohio School Safety Center

Armed School Staff Essential Training (ASSET). The ASSET program is comprised of two core training courses, the initial, 24-hour certification course (ASSET-24) and the annual, 8-hour requalification course (ASSET-8). To support school wanting additional training for an individual, the OSSC offers numerous additional courses which build upon the foundation of ASSET.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Protecting Children from Online Exploitation

Senior Special Agent Melissa Grahn - U.S. Secret Service

This discussion delves into the complex realities of child exploitation and victimization, exploring issues like grooming, sextortion, running away, and child sex trafficking, while also highlighting protective factors, vulnerabilities, and the importance of healthy relationships.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Protecting Students from Fentanyl: A Proven School Prevention Model

Jack Swan - Fentanyl Fathers

This presentation blends evidence-based education with powerful testimony from a family affected by fentanyl poisoning or drug overdose. Attendees will learn what students need to know about counterfeit pills, overdose response, and how schools can strengthen prevention efforts.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Safety First: Facility Dogs in Schools

Alana Stanbery-Sigg - Compass Counseling LLC

Safety First: Facility Dogs in Schools explores how well-designed facility dog programs can strengthen student regulation, and access to mental health supports when implemented with intention and fidelity. This session examines evidence-based frameworks, ethical considerations, and practical implementation strategies that align with school policy, risk management, and equity. Participants will leave with clear guidance for responsibly integrating facility dogs into school systems to enhance student well-being while prioritizing safety and accountability.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Student Breakouts

Student Safety Advisory Council

Interested in hearing safety initiatives directly from students? The Student Breakouts will spotlight capstone projects from members of the Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council. These sessions elevate authentic student voices, giving you a firsthand look at the initiatives they’ve designed and implemented in their own schools. Each session features four students from across Ohio as they present fresh, student‑driven solutions on topics like academic burnout, digital safety, mental health, peer‑led programs, and more! Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from students shaping the future of school safety—join a session and be inspired by the next generation of safety leaders!

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Supporting Transportation Supervisors: Lessons for District Leadership

Andreas Johansson - Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools

This presentation summarizes qualitative research examining the lived experiences of school transportation supervisors in Ohio public school districts. Findings highlight persistent themes of isolation, limited voice in decision-making, leadership trust, and burnout, and offer practical recommendations for superintendents and central office leaders to strengthen organizational support for this critical role.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kilimanjaro Foyer
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
Social & Networking Event

Emily Torok - Ohio School Safety Center

Hosted by the Ohio School Safety Center. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. Network with colleagues and vendors in the exhibit area.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Situational Awareness Simulator Experience
Alan Beadle - Ohio School Safety Center

Interact with our MILO Virtual Simulator, which offers dynamic scenarios, graphics‑based firearms drills, and advanced tactical features.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kilimanjaro Ballroom
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
MORNING GENERAL SESSION

Emily Torok - Ohio School Safety Center
William Guy Burney - CIRV - Youngstown

The Response Effect: How Our Decisions Create Safety, Stability, and Hope

William "Guy" Burney
Executive Director of CIRV Youngstown

In everyday moments and in times of crisis, pressure, and uncertainty, it is not the situation itself that determines the outcome, it is our response. This keynote challenges school safety professionals, administrators, and law enforcement leaders to examine how everyday interactions either make deposits or withdrawals in relationships, culture, and trust. Through powerful storytelling, practical frameworks, and conflict reducing strategies rooted in the five basic human needs, participants will leave equipped to turn high stress moments into opportunities that build safety, connection, and lasting hope.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
AI, Sextortion & Safety: Updating Internet Safety Messages to Counter the Latest Threats

Casey Jones - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

Generative AI (GAI) is transforming our digital world—bringing exciting possibilities but also new safety challenges for kids and teens. How should internet safety evolve for today’s youth and their families? At the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, we’re seeing complex cases involving youth-created content and AI-generated child imagery. This interactive workshop will spark critical conversations on updating prevention messaging using a developmental and trauma-informed lens. You’ll leave with fresh insights, practical strategies for engaging youth, and free, ready‑to‑use resources to empower your school or community in navigating this emerging landscape.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Crisis Response Planning: Providing Support & Structure While Moving Through Grief

Derek Varansky, Ph.D. - Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools
Jason Phillips - Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools

In November 2023, the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District's high school band was involved in a fatal, multi-vehicle collision while on a trip to perform in Columbus at the Ohio School Boards Association Conference. Six people died in the crash, including three students on the bus and three adults; 18 others were injured. This presentation will provide an overview of how the district responded to the tragedy, lessons learned, and will provide participants with the district's crisis response guide that was created from this tragic event.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Drug Trends Affecting Ohio's Youth

Alex Van Dyke - Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC)

This presentation will provide audience members with the latest intelligence and data regarding drugs that are being used by or are available to youth. The presentation will examine other relevant issues within the Ohio drug landscape such as the intersection of digital media and drug trafficking, the gray market, and factors that may increase the risk that youth may engage in substance use.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Event Action Plans for Large Scale Events and After School Preparedness

Douglas Smith - Ohio School Safety Center

This session, led by the Ohio School Safety Center, helps establish life safety priorities, implement a unified command structure, and complete an event action plan using Incident Command System (ICS) forms and relevant annexes.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
From Paper to Practice: Conducting Meaningful School Safety Tabletop Exercises

Robin Magyar - Polaris Career Center

Moving beyond simple compliance, this interactive session provides school leaders with a practical framework for designing tabletop exercises that truly prepare staff for real-world emergency decision-making. The presentation bridges the gap between technical response principles and daily school operations. Participants will engage in a live activity and leave with actionable tools to facilitate engaging, Ohio-specific scenarios that translate into measurable safety enhancements for their buildings.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Preventing, Addressing, and Learning: A Framework for Identifying and Avoiding Harmful Content and Prevent Violence

Christine German, Ph.D. - Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University

This presentation will discuss the importance of recognizing key signs of radicalization in schools and present resources that PERIL has developed addressing kids aged Kindergarten through College. The Prevent, Address, and Learn (PAL) Framework is a useful tool to help educators, school administration, safety officers, and other school partners think about how to support students in learning how to identify and avoid harmful online content and think through processes and resources that can help identify potentially concerning behaviors and prevent school violence.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Student Breakouts

Student Safety Advisory Council

Interested in hearing safety initiatives directly from students? The Student Breakouts will spotlight capstone projects from members of the Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council. These sessions elevate authentic student voices, giving you a firsthand look at the initiatives they’ve designed and implemented in their own schools. Each session features four students from across Ohio as they present fresh, student‑driven solutions on topics like academic burnout, digital safety, mental health, peer‑led programs, and more! Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from students shaping the future of school safety—join a session and be inspired by the next generation of safety leaders!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Takeaways from Tragedy: Applications for Leadership Before, During, and After School Violence

Greg Johnson - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)
Andy Fetchik - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)
Andy McGill - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)
Michael Sedlak - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)

This presentation focuses on the importance of building strong relationships within and outside of your school building. Principals are tasked with many aspects of leadership; incorporating practices that are collaborative, focused on safety, understanding the importance of being trauma-informed are critical pieces of this process. Advocating at multiple levels as a school leader should no longer be an optional practice, it is a growing responsibility.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Under Pressure: Training Responders for School-Based Critical Incidents
LE/Fire/EMS Track
David Sirl - Cleveland MetroHealth, Cleveland Metro Life Flight, and Operational Medicine

David Sirl serves as the Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for Cleveland MetroHealth, Cleveland Metro Life Flight, and Operational Medicine, leveraging extensive public safety expertise to support high standards in training and clinical practice. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, he is committed to advancing operational excellence, fostering knowledge sharing, and spearheading mental health initiatives that support first responders and the broader community. His background includes formal education, military service, and extensive field experience, all of which shape his dedication to outreach, patient care, instructional excellence, and continuous professional development.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Youth Radicalization and Mobilization Indicators Briefing: Putting the 'Something' in See Something, Say Something

Mitchell Silva-Dennis - National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)

This presentation will outline the global threat environment and highlight the unique traits of youth radicalization efforts by foreign terrorist organizations. The presentation will then transition to outlining behavioral indicators of radicalization and mobilization to violence to help assist educators to identify individuals in need to engagement, off ramping, and mitigation efforts.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kilimanjaro BR & Foyer
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Lunch, Exhibit Break & Situational Awareness Simulator Experience

Emily Torok - Ohio School Safety Center
Alan Beadle - Ohio School Safety Center

Enjoy another delectable, provided lunch. Visit our exhibit area to connect with supporters. Interact with our MILO Virtual Simulator, which offers dynamic scenarios, graphics‑based firearms drills, and advanced tactical features.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
AI, Sextortion & Safety: Updating Internet Safety Messages to Counter the Latest Threats

Casey Jones - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

Generative AI (GAI) is transforming our digital world—bringing exciting possibilities but also new safety challenges for kids and teens. How should internet safety evolve for today’s youth and their families? At the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, we’re seeing complex cases involving youth-created content and AI-generated child imagery. This interactive workshop will spark critical conversations on updating prevention messaging using a developmental and trauma-informed lens. You’ll leave with fresh insights, practical strategies for engaging youth, and free, ready‑to‑use resources to empower your school or community in navigating this emerging landscape.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Crisis Response Planning: Providing Support & Structure While Moving Through Grief

Derek Varansky, Ph.D. - Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools
Jason Phillips - Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools

In November 2023, the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District's high school band was involved in a fatal, multi-vehicle collision while on a trip to perform in Columbus at the Ohio School Boards Association Conference. Six people died in the crash, including three students on the bus and three adults; 18 others were injured. This presentation will provide an overview of how the district responded to the tragedy, lessons learned, and will provide participants with the district's crisis response guide that was created from this tragic event.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Cyberbullying, Sexting, and Internet Safety

Patricia Wardrop - Lucas County Prosecutor's Office
Melissa Nowakowski - Lucas County Prosecutor's Office

Patricia Wardrop, Lucas County Deputy Chief of the Juvenile Division, and Melissa Nowakowski, Lucas County Assistant Prosecutor, discuss the legal aspects of cyberbullying, sexting, internet safety, and the ramifications thereof.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Drug Trends Affecting Ohio's Youth

Alex Van Dyke - Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC)

This presentation will provide audience members with the latest intelligence and data regarding drugs that are being used by or are available to youth. The presentation will examine other relevant issues within the Ohio drug landscape such as the intersection of digital media and drug trafficking, the gray market, and factors that may increase the risk that youth may engage in substance use.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
From Paper to Practice: Conducting Meaningful School Safety Tabletop Exercises

Robin Magyar - Polaris Career Center

Moving beyond simple compliance, this interactive session provides school leaders with a practical framework for designing tabletop exercises that truly prepare staff for real-world emergency decision-making. The presentation bridges the gap between technical response principles and daily school operations. Participants will engage in a live activity and leave with actionable tools to facilitate engaging, Ohio-specific scenarios that translate into measurable safety enhancements for their buildings.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
From Risk to Resilience: A Proactive Approach to School Safety Through Fitness and Community

Debbie Wagner - Expanding Horizons
Matt Shindeldecker - Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons is a CrossFit-based program designed to support incarcerated, probationary, and at risk youth by improving physical fitness, mental health, and social responsibility through consistent, coach-led classes and trauma-informed mentorship. By building a supportive community inside facilities and sustaining connections after release through reentry, probation, school, and community programs, the initiative helps youth develop emotional regulation, reduce aggression, and learn how to “always rise” beyond their circumstances.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Preventing, Addressing, and Learning: A Framework for Identifying and Avoiding Harmful Content and Prevent Violence

Christine German, Ph.D. - Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University

This presentation will discuss the importance of recognizing key signs of radicalization in schools and present resources that PERIL has developed addressing kids aged Kindergarten through College. The Prevent, Address, and Learn (PAL) Framework is a useful tool to help educators, school administration, safety officers, and other school partners think about how to support students in learning how to identify and avoid harmful online content and think through processes and resources that can help identify potentially concerning behaviors and prevent school violence.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Saving Lives Faster: Rescue Task Force in School-Based Incidents
LE/Fire/EMS Track
Robert Crowe - Ohio School Safety Center

Robert Crowe is a U.S. Navy veteran who served in support of the Global War on Terror, including assignments with Central Command/Fifth Fleet and the Force Surgeon in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He is a public safety professional with extensive experience in emergency medical services, fire service operations, and responder training.

Crowe is a certified Firefighter/Paramedic and Instructor with specialized experience as a Tactical Paramedic supporting both federal and local law enforcement operations. He also serves as a Special Deputy Sheriff with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office and as a Mobile Training Officer with the Ohio School Safety Center, where he delivers critical safety and emergency preparedness training to communities across the state.

Through both operational service and instruction, Crowe is dedicated to strengthening responder readiness, advancing public safety initiatives, and supporting the next generation of first responders.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Unmined Data: What State Agencies Already Collect That Can Help Speak to Student Safety

Mallory Minter-Mohr - Office of Criminal Justice Services
Emily Myers - Ohio School Safety Center

Workshop attendees will learn about a variety of datasets collected by state agencies that include information on Ohio students and their safety. Data sources include self-reported experiences from students, reports from school personnel, and law enforcement incident reports. After touching on these data sources, attendees will learn about how agencies use these data in writing grant applications, informing program development, reporting on program effectiveness, and raise awareness of ongoing issues in their community.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Yellow Flags and What to Do with Them: A Preventative Approach to School Safety

Brittany DeWitt - Greeneview Local Schools

When it comes to school safety, we focus a lot of our attention on crisis management and response. But what about before the crisis? This presentation focuses on the research about school safety, highlighting prevention strategies that are easy to implement, regardless of grade level, setting, or prior training, to help create safer environments for students and staff.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Youth Radicalization and Mobilization Indicators Briefing: Putting the 'Something' in See Something, Say Something

Mitchell Silva-Dennis - National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)

This presentation will outline the global threat environment and highlight the unique traits of youth radicalization efforts by foreign terrorist organizations. The presentation will then transition to outlining behavioral indicators of radicalization and mobilization to violence to help assist educators to identify individuals in need to engagement, off ramping, and mitigation efforts.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Best Practices for Designing a Swatting Tabletop Exercise

Deputy John A. Loney - Clark Co. Sheriff's Office / Tecumseh Local
Brian C. Dixon - Tecumseh Local Schools

This session will offer a practical framework for creating swatting-focused tabletop exercises that strengthen school emergency response and communication. Participants will learn how to design realistic scenarios, coordinate with law enforcement, address common gaps, and align exercises with district safety plans to enhance preparedness and protect students and staff.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Care Under Pressure: Point-of-Injury Response in School Emergencies
LE/Fire/EMS Track
Christian Brienik - MetroHealth, Metro Life Flight

This course provides a focused overview of critical, life-saving interventions for point-of-injury care in school settings. Participants will learn how to recognize and manage massive hemorrhage, perform effective airway interventions, assess and support respiration and circulation, and respond to hypothermia and head injuries. Designed for educators, staff, and school safety personnel, police, fire, and EMS, this lecture emphasizes rapid assessment, practical skills, and coordinated response to stabilize individuals until advanced medical care arrives.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
De-escalation Dissected

Robert Kasprzak - Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County (LCMHRSB)

This presentation will focus on the four parts of de-escalation beginning with an understanding the of brain that is in crisis, techniques to de‑escalate a person in crisis (including yours), what to do when communication is difficult, and a review of local resources for people in crisis.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Finding Your Vulnerabilities: Intruder Detection Assessments

Derek Varansky, Ph.D. - Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools
Douglas Smith - Ohio School Safety Center

As a school administrator, you are responsible for maintaining a safe learning environment by implementing effective physical and operational security measures. Security assessments identify gaps and vulnerabilities, allowing the school to improve emergency prevention and response. Administrators should develop a response plan to address these vulnerabilities, which may include training staff and students, updating policies and procedures, repairing or replacing equipment, and conducting emergency management exercises or tests.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
From Risk to Resilience: A Proactive Approach to School Safety Through Fitness and Community

Debbie Wagner - Expanding Horizons
Matt Shindeldecker - Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons is a CrossFit-based program designed to support incarcerated, probationary, and at risk youth by improving physical fitness, mental health, and social responsibility through consistent, coach-led classes and trauma-informed mentorship. By building a supportive community inside facilities and sustaining connections after release through reentry, probation, school, and community programs, the initiative helps youth develop emotional regulation, reduce aggression, and learn how to “always rise” beyond their circumstances.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Ohio CARES: A Behavioral Threat Assessment Model

Dale Gooding - Ohio School Safety Center

This presentation discusses Ohio CARES, a behavioral threat assessment model designed specifically for Ohio schools and communities. This model focuses on early intervention, preventing targeted violence, reducing suspensions, and supporting student mental health through multidisciplinary teams.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Ohio's Armed School Staff Program and Firearms & Tactics

Scott E. Whatley - Ohio School Safety Center
Joe Sidoti - Ohio School Safety Center
Dinero Ciardelli - Ohio School Safety Center

Armed School Staff Essential Training (ASSET). The ASSET program is comprised of two core training courses, the initial, 24-hour certification course (ASSET-24) and the annual, 8-hour requalification course (ASSET-8). To support school wanting additional training for an individual, the OSSC offers numerous additional courses which build upon the foundation of ASSET.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Severe Weather Awareness and Preparedness for the School Setting

Dan Grothause - Ohio School Safety Center
Sean Miller - Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

This session will discuss weather terms and awareness for schools. The basic process of developing a severe weather plan, exercising the plan and updating the plan as needed. Resources will also be shared on multiple sources for receiving weather alerts and monitoring the weather forecasts.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Takeaways from Tragedy: Applications for Leadership Before, During, and After School Violence

Greg Johnson - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)
Andy Fetchik - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)
Andy McGill - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)
Michael Sedlak - NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN)

This presentation focuses on the importance of building strong relationships within and outside of your school building. Principals are tasked with many aspects of leadership; incorporating practices that are collaborative, focused on safety, understanding the importance of being trauma-informed are critical pieces of this process. Advocating at multiple levels as a school leader should no longer be an optional practice, it is a growing responsibility.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Unmined Data: What State Agencies Already Collect That Can Help Speak to Student Safety

Mallory Minter-Mohr - Office of Criminal Justice Services
Emily Myers - Ohio School Safety Center

Workshop attendees will learn about a variety of datasets collected by state agencies that include information on Ohio students and their safety. Data sources include self-reported experiences from students, reports from school personnel, and law enforcement incident reports. After touching on these data sources, attendees will learn about how agencies use these data in writing grant applications, informing program development, reporting on program effectiveness, and raise awareness of ongoing issues in their community.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Yellow Flags and What to Do with Them: A Preventative Approach to School Safety

Brittany DeWitt - Greeneview Local Schools

When it comes to school safety, we focus a lot of our attention on crisis management and response. But what about before the crisis? This presentation focuses on the research about school safety, highlighting prevention strategies that are easy to implement, regardless of grade level, setting, or prior training, to help create safer environments for students and staff.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Kalahari Resort - Room TBD
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
From Approach to Touchdown: Medical Helicopter Safety & Landing Zone Operations
LE/Fire/EMS Track
Nate Hodgson - MetroHealth, Metro Life Flight

Nate Hodgson is a Flight Nurse Specialist at MetroHealth, Cuyahoga County's safety-net health system, which includes four hospitals, four emergency departments, and more than 20 health centers. He provides advanced emergency and critical care for patients of all ages during air and ground transport, including intensive monitoring, critical interventions, and care for high-risk patients across various medical specialties.

Nate's specialized training enables him to deliver critical care to severely ill and injured patients, including ventilatory support and continuous cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring, as well as intra-aortic balloon pumps and other assist devices. He performs airway management and surgical procedures such as cricothyroidotomy, needle chest decompression, chest tube insertion, femoral line placement, cut-downs, and various intubation techniques.