Building K-12 Options-Based Response Programs

K-12 facilities experience unique challenges when implementing options-based response programs. These challenges stem from a top-down approach to infrastructure improvement and policies directed toward addressing critical violent incidents on campus. In many cases, SROs and local law enforcement officers are responsible for delivering training to staff members without any prior knowledge of site-specific limitations in security infrastructure, communication assets, or emergency response protocols. This module will give officers historical insight on why a lockdown only approach is no longer aligned to best-practices and how to deliver options-based response curriculum to educators in a responsible and trauma informed manner. Officers will explore the L.E.W.I.S. model for assessing K-12 campuses in order to deliver site-specific training and leverage staff buy-in to create successful options-based response programs.