The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Office of School Safety October 2022 Newsletter
> Join Our Newsletter Email List
Michigan K-12 Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (Mi-BTAM) Basic Training
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Office of School Safety (OSS) is hosting Mi-BTAM training across the state for school-based threat assessment teams in K-12 public, charter, and private schools in Michigan. Mi-BTAM training is a fact-based, systematic process designed to identify, assess, and manage potentially dangerous or violent situations. The goal of Mi-BTAM training is to identify, engage, and work collaboratively with families and students to mitigate life situational factors contributing to thoughts of violence and aggression. The school Mi-BTAM basic training is based upon research and best practices developed by the United States Secret Service.
School districts are encouraged to register their entire threat assessment team for this free training. There is an attendance cap of up to seven members based upon district student enrollment, as indicated below. Registrations are limited to 150 participants per session.
District Enrollment Guidance for Number of Registrants:
0 to 500 students – Three registrants
501 to 1,500 students – Four registrants
1501 to 5,000 students – Five registrants
5,001 to 10,000 students – Six registrants
More than 10,000 students – Seven registrants
Attendees must complete the Basic Training to attend the Advanced Training. The Basic Training is a one-day workshop that covers topics such as understanding school violence and implications for prevention, steps for developing and operating an effective school threat assessment program, and developing and implementing case management plans. The Advanced Training will help participants enhance their threat assessment and threat management skills by reviewing threat assessment procedures, screening initial reports, exploring how to conduct interviews, and developing intervention plans.
Upcoming training sessions will be held in Bay City, Flint, Lansing, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Big Rapids. Click here for a list of 2022-2023 training dates.
School Resource Officer Grant Application Information

In an effort to create safe and secure learning environments, the Michigan Legislature has provided a $25 million appropriation for the MSP Grants and Community Services Division to award and administer grants to public schools, public school districts, and intermediate school districts (ISDs) to improve the safety and security of students, staff, and school buildings by partnering with local law enforcement to secure at least one school resource officer (SRO). The School Resource Officer Grant Program (SROGP), appropriated in 2022 Public Act 144, requires grantees to provide a 50 percent cash match. Grant funds will be awarded competitively. Funds for the SROGP will be used to establish an SRO position to do the following:
- Assist school administration in ensuring the physical safety of school buildings of the school, district, or ISD and the individuals inside the school buildings.
- Work with school administration to develop and update safety procedures (e.g., emergency operations plan) for potential threats in school buildings of the school, district, or ISD.
- Welcome, counsel, and mentor students as advisors and role models.
- Educate students about law-related topics, as appropriate.
- De-escalate aggression that occurs between students or between students and school, district, or ISD staff.
Safe Schools Week- October 16-22

The annual America’s Safe Schools Week is October 16-22, 2022. Activities conducted during America’s Safe Schools Week draw attention to educating and informing everyone about how schools can be made safer and more secure. Has there been an update to the Emergency Operations Plan? Has the school drill schedule been set for the school year and posted to the school website? Are student voices part of the school safety culture?
The week offers opportunities to address important issues and to take steps to ensure that schools offer students, teachers, and the community a safe environment in which they can perform to the best of their ability. Visit the National School Safety Center for more information and daily anchor activities.
Reporting Obligations

- School Safety Drills - The chief administrator of the school shall provide a list of the scheduled school drill days to the county emergency management coordinator by September 15. For a school that operates any of grades K-12, the governing body of the school shall ensure that documentation of a completed school safety drill is posted on its website within 30 school days after the drill is completed and is maintained on the website for at least three years.
- OK2SAY School Contact - The governing body of every public and non-public school shall register at least one school official’s emergency contact information biannually with the MSP. Register school contact here.
- School Safety Liaison - Every school district or intermediate school district, public school academy, and nonpublic school must designate a school safety liaison to work with the School Safety Commission and the MSP OSS. Liaison information can be provided here. Please note, this is NOT the contact information that will be used for after-hours emergency incidents through OK2SAY.
- Incident Report - A school district, intermediate school district or public school academy shall submit a report to the MSP on crime or attempted crime occurring on the school premises, school-related vehicles, or at a school-sponsored activity. This report should be completed within 24 hours after the incident occurs or within 24 hours of school personnel being made aware that an incident had occurred. Click here for the incident report information.
School Safety for LGTBQIA+ and All Students
The MSP OSS wants to encourage the creation and promotion of school safety for all students in the state of Michigan, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), LGBTQIA+ youth are more likely to experience violence, stigma, and discrimination at school than non-LGBTQIA+ youth. They have a lower level of school connectedness and are at an increased risk for poor mental health and substance use. The CDC encourages professional development for teachers and school staff as a best practice. The below CDC links provide core competencies for professional development and a self-assessment tool for LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in schools.
- Creating Safe Schools for LGBTQIA+ Youth – Core Competencies for Professional Development
- LGBTQ Inclusivity in Schools: A Self-Assessment Tool
Operation Backpack

On August 31, 2022, the commander of MSP Prevention Services, F/Lt. Aric Dowling, presented a check from Meijer and school supplies donated by members of the MSP to Volunteers of America Michigan in support of Operation Backpack. Nearly 2,000 homeless and low-income children received a new backpack full of school supplies. Students also received OK2SAY promotional items.
Legislative Update/Funding
The MSP OSS highlights legislation impacting schools and includes a focus on physical safety and social emotional well-being. This summary document notes what has been signed into law, and what is moving legislation, legislation to watch, and recently introduced legislation.
The Michigan Department of Education has released guidance and information on school mental health and school safety funding opportunities. Click here to view the memo from September 22, 2022.
OK2SAY- Michigan's Student Safety Program

Michigan’s OK2SAY is a nationally recognized student safety program that helps equip authorities with needed information to respond to threats and avert tragedy. The beginning of the school year is the perfect opportunity to remind students how to use the OK2SAY student safety tip line effectively and appropriately.
There are various ways to promote OK2SAY at your school, including:
EDUCATION:
STAFF AWARENESS
It is recommended that all staff involved with students at every grade level be aware and familiar with OK2SAY, why it is important for students, and how it works. This not only educates staff on the importance of student issues regarding the code of silence, but it also enables them to communicate the need for students to tell in a way that keeps them safe.
STUDENT AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
OK2SAY offers free student safety presentations for students in grades 4-12. The seminars offer customized age-appropriate programming designed to protect children and address many of the issues impacting students.
PROMOTIONAL ITEMS:
Display OK2SAY promotional material (e.g., posters, stickers, and contact cards) in prominent locations in the school. All promotional material can be ordered through OK2SAY.
SPREAD THE WORD:
- Promote OK2SAY on social media or download digital signage graphics.
- Download the free OK2SAY app or save a shortcut to the website on school computers.
- Include OK2SAY contact information on student identification cards or student planners.
- Educate the community through parent newsletters and other electronic communications.
