Arkansas Center for School Safety

Every member of the K-12 community can help make schools safer and more supportive. When schools embrace a community-based approach, they can build a culture of preparedness and more comprehensive and effective safety programs.

The following information from schoolsafety.gov provides ideas for how the K-12 community can enhance school safety this year:

https://www.schoolsafety.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/SchoolSafetyGov_BackToSchool_Safety_Actions_2026.pdf

https://www.schoolsafety.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/SchoolSafetyGov_BackToSchool_Toolbox_2026.pdf

🚨 Now Accepting Applications! 🚨
The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association Red Ribbon Grants for Arkansas schools are now open for applications!

These grants provide funding to support drug education and prevention programs, helping schools promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles for students across our state.

🗓️ Application Deadline: September 25

Don’t miss this opportunity! Visit https://arsheriffs.org/asa-red-ribbon-grants-for-arkansas-schools/ to review the grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application details, then submit your application today.

Together, we can make a difference in educating Arkansas students and building stronger, drug-free communities.

This week, SROs and CSSOs participated in the ALERRT SRO Active Attack Response training at Carver Elementary in Little Rock.

This intensive two-day course provided officers with a standardized set of skills designed to help save as many lives as possible during an active shooter incident. The training focused on effective response while already on scene and coordinating with additional responding officers from surrounding agencies.

We were proud to collaborate with the Arkansas Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ADLEST) to provide this training, which was delivered by expert instructors from the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this training a success.

The "I Love U Guys" Foundation will be in Arkadelphia on AUGUST 31 to prepare educators and SROs for two critical components of crisis response: Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Standard Reunification Method (SRM).

This 7-hour FREE training will introduce the concepts of both the SRP and the SRM and will prepare educators and SROs for providing training in both programs.

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to student safety. These tactics are action-based, flexible, and easy to learn.

The Standard Reunification Method (SRM) fills a critical void in school safety planning: Reuniting students with their parents after a crisis.

Registration is available online: https://arsafeschools.com/learn-virtually-standard-response-protocol-standard-reunification-method/

Excellence in school safety comes in many forms, and this year’s Leadership Awards Ceremony gave us the opportunity to recognize some truly outstanding individuals and organizations.

We were privileged to welcome Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge, who helped us honor the accomplishments of our 2026 award recipients:

The Safe Schools Leadership Award for Chiefs, Sheriffs, and SRO Supervisors:
- Dan Worley, Conway Public Schools

The Safe Schools Leadership Award for the Larance Johnson Education Administrator of the Year:
- Eric King, Conway Public Schools

The Kool-Aid “SRO of the Year” Award:
- Jason Cole, Midland School District

The Safe Schools Leadership Award for the Dwayne “Big D” Yarbrough Smart Choices Student Award:
- Zachariah Flowers, Paragould School District

SRO Cool Car Contest:
- Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office

We were also proud to recognize Centennial Bank for its longstanding partnership and continued support of the conference. Their commitment has helped make this event a success for many years.

In addition, Greg Meharg was honored for his dedicated service as President of the Arkansas Safe Schools Association for the past two years. His leadership, commitment, and contributions have helped strengthen the Association and advance its mission of promoting safe schools across Arkansas.

Congratulations to all of the 2026 award recipients, and thank you to every nominee for your dedication to school safety and student success!

Online child exploitation is a growing threat, and staying informed is key to protecting our students.

Join a one-hour virtual training on July 23 (3–4 PM EDT) hosted by the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse, featuring experts from the DOJ and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Navigating Digital Threats: Strategies to Prevent Online Child Exploitation will teach you to spot warning signs, understand emerging risks (including AI), and better equip students to stay safe online.

Register here:
K12DigitalThreats.eventbrite.com

We had officers on campus last week completing an intensive Solo Engagement Response to an Active Killer at a School training. From hands-on practical exercises to high-intensity mock scenarios, these officers sharpened the critical mental and physical skills needed to respond as the first on scene in an active threat situation.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY THIS SUMMER?

Join us July 30–31 at the Criminal Justice Institute for ALERRT SRO Active Attack Response training.

This course is designed specifically for school-based law enforcement and focuses on simple, effective tactics to save lives, whether responding solo or as part of a small team. You’ll also learn how to seamlessly link up with responding officers to stop threats faster.

Space is limited. Register today:
https://arsafeschools.com/course-dates/alerrt-sro-active-attack-response/

Our Summer/Fall 2026 Safe Schools trainings are live and open for registration!

Lots of great sessions coming up to help you stay sharp and ready, whether you’re in education, law enforcement, or working in school safety. This schedule features four NEW classes.

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ALERRT SRO Active Response
July 30-31 | Criminal Justice Institute

Behavioral Threat Assessment Management in Schools
July 23 | September 17 | October 26 | Criminal Justice Institute

Managing Student Walkouts and Campus Protests: Safety, Communication, and Operational Leadership for K-12 Schools
October 5 | Criminal Justice Institute

Keeping Kids Safe in a Cyberworld/Cyberbullies in Our AI World
November 17 | Criminal Justice Institute

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Check out the full schedule online and grab your spot:
https://arsafeschools.com/summer-fall-2026-training-is-here/

We’re excited to host two important trainings for the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Alliance (NADEC): DEC Awareness Training and DEC Approach Training.

These trainings will be held July 21 at the Criminal Justice Institute in Little Rock.

This is a great chance to learn how to better support kids impacted by substance misuse. Earn 4 hours of Law Enforcement Continuing Education credit while you’re at it.

If this work matters to you, don’t miss it.

Learn more and sign up: https://arsafeschools.com/national-drug-endangered-children-dec-training-coming-to-little-rock/