Over the past 2 decades, state school safety centers (SSSCs) have emerged to centralize and strengthen efforts to promote safe and secure learning environments, and provide training, technical assistance, and access to up-to-date safety resources. To gain deeper insights into how these centers operate—along with the challenges they face and the perceptions of their services—WestEd’s Justice and Prevention Research Center conducted a comprehensive, multi-phase evaluation.
The resulting publications provide evidence-based insights into how states organize their safety centers, how they deliver support, and how school and district leaders perceive them. In addition to identifying promising practices and common challenges, the series includes a strategic framework to guide states in strengthening the reach and perceptions of their safety centers—supporting more effective, coordinated approaches to school safety.
Awareness, Use, and Perceptions of State School Safety Centers
Service Users’ Perceptions of State School Safety Center Supports & Services
By Ashley Boal, Sarah Russo, Adrienne Quinn Washington, Shawna White, Ericka C. Muñoz, Hannah Sutherland, and Joseph M. McKenna
This brief summarizes findings from WestEd’s evaluation of how school and district leaders perceive the supports and services provided by SSSCs. Based on interviews and survey data, the research shows that while most users are aware of their state’s safety center and view its resources—such as online tools, training, and technical assistance—as accessible, and useful, and of high-quality there is room to expand outreach and increase alignment with evolving safety needs.
Research and Evaluation on School Safety: Perceptions of State School Safety Center Supports and Services
By Ashley Boal, Sarah Russo, Adrienne Quinn Washington, Shawna White, Ericka C. Muñoz, Hannah Sutherland, and Joseph M. McKenna
This report summarizes interviews and surveys with education leaders to assess awareness and use of SSSCs, as well as perceptions about SSSC services. Perceptions are mainly positive, though respondents noted areas for improvement, including staffing; outreach; website usability; and expanded support for threat assessment, mental health, and leadership training.
Structures, Operations, and History of State School Safety Centers
The Structure, Services, and Products of State School Safety Centers
By Joseph M. McKenna, Sarah Russo, Hannah Sutherland, Ericka Muñoz, Ashley Boal, and Anthony Petrosino
This brief examines the evolving role of SSSCs in response to heightened concerns about school safety following high-profile tragedies. Drawing on interviews with SSSC directors and a year of activity data, the brief explores how SSSCs are structured, staffed, and operated. It highlights the influence of state legislation on SSSCs’ work, the emphasis on emergency management, and the need for diverse funding sources.
Research and Evaluation on School Safety: The Structure, Services, and Products of State School Safety Centers
By Joseph M. McKenna, Sarah Russo, Hannah Sutherland, Ericka Muñoz, Ashley Boal, and Anthony Petrosino
Given the limited information about the structure and functionality of SSSCs across the country, this report provides insights from in-depth interviews with SSSC directors to examine the school safety landscape in their states, the history and structure of the centers, the services offered by the centers, and the centers’ accomplishments and challenges.
States’ School Safety Centers: A Brief Look Into History, Characteristics, and Activities
By Joseph M. McKenna, Sarah Russo, Hannah Sutherland, Ashley Boal, and Anthony Petrosino
This brief presents key findings on the origins, organizational placement, and scale of SSSCs, providing valuable context for understanding their role in supporting school safety. Learn how state legislation and incidents of school violence have driven the creation of SSSCs, how these centers are commonly structured within state agencies, and the funding and staffing patterns that shape the centers’ capacity to operate.
Strategic Recommendations
Recommendations to Support Awareness, Use, and Perceptions of State School Safety Centers: A Framework
By Ashley Boal, Sarah Russo, Hannah Sutherland, Adrienne Quinn Washington, Ericka Muñoz, Shawna R. White, and Joseph M. McKenna
This guide provides a strategic blueprint for SSSCs, offering insights to enhance their focus, their structure, and the support services they provide. It identifies four key areas for SSSC success: Vision and Mission, Structure and Staffing, Supports and Services, and Audience and Outreach. It emphasizes SSSCs’ role in aligning with state goals, serving diverse interest holders, diversifying funding, building expert teams, offering informed support services, and using accessible technology to engage audiences.