Safe2Say Something
In 2019, MMI Preparatory School implemented the “Safe2Say Something” anonymous reporting system in conjunction with a school safety initiative organized by the Office of the Attorney General. “Safe2Say Something” is a life-saving and life-changing school safety program that teaches students, educators, and administrators how to recognize the signs and signals – especially within social media – of individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others and anonymously report this information through the “Safe2Say Something” app, website, or 24/7 Crisis Center Hotline.
The General Assembly passed Act 44 in 2018 mandating the establishment and use of the “Safe2Say Something” anonymous reporting system by every Pennsylvania school entity. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) established “Safe2Say Something” and will manage and maintain the program. The OAG is organizing the program in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a leader in anonymous reporting systems, who is built out the app, website, and PA-based 24/7 Crisis Center platform.
The “Safe2Say Something” program works to take every sign and signal seriously and encourages students to act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult. The program includes five steps. First, a tip is submitted via mobile app, website, or by calling the PA-based 24/7 Crisis Center. The tip is then triaged by the Crisis Center and, if needed, it is delivered to the impacted school’s Safe2Say team. Local law enforcement is contacted, as needed. Following that, the school’s team assesses and intervenes with the at-risk individual and closes out the tip and reports actions taken as a record for their school. Students, educators, and administrators will be trained to recognize the signs and signals of individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others, along with how to use the program’s anonymous reporting system to submit tips of the signs and signals they observe.
MMI began the process of implementing this program in December 2018 when a group of faculty and administrators attended a “Safe2Say Something” training and the system is currently used in the School today. As MMI’s lead for the Safe2Say program, School Counselor Mrs. Cheryl Bayo provides our students with a refresher class at the beginning of each school year to ensure that they remain aware of the program and how to utilize it.
Please click the link here to read the complete Safe2Say Something brochure.