University of Montana Safe Schools Center (UMSSC)

Providing training, research, and professional development services to schools and communities across Montana and the U.S.

About Us

The UM Safe Schools Center was endorsed by the Superintendent of Montana's Office Public Instruction in 2005 and approved by the Montana University System Board of Regents in 2006.  However, our organization has been working on numerous school safety grants and initiatives since 1999. Our current director is Dr. Daniel Lee, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership.

Contact Us

News and Updates

• There will be a 2-Day Training held June 16-17, 2020 for Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents for Key Decision Makers. Register at this link by June 2, 2020. Please note registration does require a FEMA SID number.
• On April 28-30 there will be a training in Missoula on Public Information and Joint Information Center Operations During Emergencies. This training is free and you can register using this online form. For more information, check out this helpful announcement.
• We recently received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. This grant will give us the opportunity to collaborate with schools across the state, and work locally on campus, to create safer schools for students statewide. 
• The Child Abuse Library Online (CALiO), supported by OJJDP, provides a collection of publications and resources for professionals working in fields associated with child abuse prevention. CALiO is a service of the National Children's Advocacy Center

Upcoming Dates to Watch

• February is Black History Month
• February is Earthquake Awareness Month

• John Sommers-Flanagan is a professor of counselor education here at the University of Montana. He runs a blog discussing mental health and counseling issues, which you can find at johnsommersflanagan.com
• This Active Shooter Training video has tips and strategies for situations where active shooters are present
• The National Association of School Psychologists have a guide for Talking to Children About Violence for parents and teachers
• The FBI has created the FBI Child ID App to help parents keep track of their children's information
• Sandy Hook Promise has compiled a list of Sixteen Facts About Gun Violence and School Shootings
• The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA Center) has created a tip sheet for teaching the Psychological First Aid model