Announcements

Application deadline: April 19, 2024, 11:59 pm ET 

ACF is soliciting proposals from Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Tribal consortia to develop and submit a plan to implement a title IV-E foster care, adoption assistance, and, at Tribal option, guardianship assistance program. The grant may be used for costs relating to: 

• The development of case planning and case review systems 

• Foster care licensing and standards for Tribal foster homes and childcare facilities 

• Quality assurance systems 

• Court structure and procedures 

• Data collection systems 

• Cost allocation methodology development 

• Financial controls and financial management processes 

• Other costs related to meeting any other requirement necessary for approval of a title IV-E plan 

Learn more and apply. 

This training is a series of five interactive online modules that offer foundational learning on trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches to human trafficking. The modules are designed for first responders, government employees, staff at community and faith-based organizations, students, researchers, academics, and other members of the public. Training topics include: 

• Implementing trauma-informed approaches to victim identification and outreach 

• Assessing victims for comprehensive service needs 

• Employing a collaborative victim service delivery model by connecting with local partners 

• Identifying accurate data and research on human trafficking 

• New strategies for researching and analyzing laws and policies that impact human trafficking, victim services, and victims' rights 

Learn more. 

This webinar recording highlights the role of special educators in school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness. During this webinar, presenters discussed the role that special educators play in implementing the National Preparedness System mission areas before, during, and after an emergency. Presenters reinforced how special educators can enhance EOP development and serve as key stewards in behavioral threat assessments, continuity of operations, recovery, and more. Learn more. 

This series summarizes an abundance of research, analysis, testing, and evaluation on domestic radicalization, violence, and terrorism prevention to show practitioners how science applies to the decisions they make every day in the field. Justice professionals can read these Five Things resources to advance justice and safety in their communities and give their decisions greater impact: 

• Five Things About the Role of Social Networks in Domestic Radicalization 

• Five Things About Community-Based Terrorism Prevention Programs 

• Five Things About the Role of the Internet and Social Media in Domestic Radicalization 

• Five Things About Individuals Who Engage in Violence Extremism and Similar Offenses 

Learn more. 

This webinar recording highlights the role of students in school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness. During this webinar, presenters discussed the ways students can enhance the six-step planning process detailed in the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (PDF, 72 pages).  Presenters provided examples of how students can offer key insights into threats and hazards commonly reported by other students and shared strategies to support safety efforts. Learn more. 

This infographic (PDF, 2 pages) highlights social media threats affecting school districts, provides mitigation and response measures for social media threats directed at school districts, and shares tools and resources to promote a culture of readiness and preparedness among school safety stakeholders. Learn more. 

This resource compendium (PDF, 24 pages) highlights all original one-pagers and infographics released on SchoolSafety.gov in 2023. This resource covers a range of school safety topics and provides actionable strategies, guidance, and resources that can help inform and enhance school safety programs and activities.  The 2023 SchoolSafety.gov Resource Package includes: 

• Back-to-School Resources 

• Bullying Prevention Resources 

• Child Exploitation Resources 

• Emergency Planning Resources 

• Mental Health Resources 

• Online Safety Resources 

• Targeted Violence Prevention Resources 

• SchoolSafety.gov overview 

Learn more (PDF, 24 pages). 

This fact sheet (PDF, 6 pages) describes sextortion and its impacts on students. The infographic outlines how schools can protect youth from sextortion through the creation and modification of a Sextortion Annex in the school emergency operations plan (EOP). Learn more (PDF, 6 pages). 

This webpage offers tips to help parents and caregivers talk about mental health with young people. The webpage describes warning signs that a young person may be struggling and shares guidance on what to do if a parent suspects their child is struggling. Conversation starters and additional resources to support young people are provided. Learn more. 

The three-part National Student Privacy & Data Security Winter Webinar Series covers the basics of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and provides training on current data security best practices for education data systems. The series also leads participants through a simulated data breach and explores how to assess online educational technology for privacy protections and general FERPA compliance. Remaining sessions include: 

• FERPA 201 and Transparency: January 24, 2024, 2:00–4:00 pm ET 

• Incident Response and Vetting Educational Technology: January 31, 2024, 2:00–4:00 pm ET 

Learn more. 

This fact sheet (PDF, 6 pages) provides strategies that K-12 school district administrators, teachers, and staff can use to help form partnerships and communicate with families and guardians and include them in efforts to develop, enhance, and maintain high-quality school emergency operation plans (EOPs). Learn more (PDF, 6 pages). 

The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research is seeking applications for Family Advisory Board (FAB) members. The FAB is a virtual board comprised of individuals with familial experiences with a young adult with a mental health condition. FAB members will use their life experiences supporting and interacting with their young adult family members to help the Center tailor their research projects and products to include the "Family Voice" perspective and provide feedback surrounding language, content, and clarity. The FAB will meet virtually once a month to provide feedback on research related projects and products. Learn more and apply.  

This resource (PDF, 8 pages) shares an overview of marijuana use among young people and provides tips for how to get involved to prevent marijuana use among youth and young adults. The publication describes the physical, academic, and social consequences of marijuana use and offers federal resources to assist in prevention efforts. Learn more (PDF, 8 pages). 

This webpage describes a mixed-methods study conducted by ED's Region 9 Comprehensive Center to provide insights and strategies for supporting a diverse teacher workforce to strengthen student learning in schools and districts. The webpage describes findings that align with each of Secretary Miguel Cardona’s four priority areas: 

1. Support students through pandemic response and recovery. 

2. Boldly address opportunity and achievement gaps. 

3. Make higher education more inclusive and affordable. 

4. Ensure pathways through higher education lead to successful careers.

Learn more. 

This self-paced course is designed to increase awareness and understanding of how to design professional learning experiences that are high quality, engaging, and aligned with adult learning principles. Learn more. 

This guide offers strategies for engaging with and using the Summer and Afterschool Needs Assessment to diagnose needs and strengths, support continuous improvement processes, and better connect program providers to expertise and resources in the community. Learn more. 

The Summer and Afterschool Needs Assessment helps youth-serving programs and organizations learn best practices for planning and delivering high-quality summer and afterschool programs and identify areas where they might benefit from guidance or support. The needs assessment provides organizations with a better understanding of their strengths and needs and connects them to aligned and targeted resources and guidance. Learn more. 

This guide (PDF, 7 pages) informs campus law enforcement and public safety officials about human trafficking and its indicators so that they can be better prepared to recognize potential victims on college or university campuses. The guide includes information about taking a victim-centered approach and explores how trauma can affect victim behavior. Learn more (PDF, 7 pages). 

This guide (PDF, 10 pages) seeks to inform school resource officers (SROs) about human trafficking and its indicators so they can be better prepared to recognize a potential victim and know how to report a potential case. This guide includes information about: 

• What human trafficking is 

• How to recognize human trafficking among youth 

• Tips for talking to students about general exploitation 

• Building life skills that may help prevent youth from being trafficked 

• Reporting options if you suspect a student is affected by human trafficking or being exploited 

• Ensuring potential victims or impacted students get connected to appropriate service providers/support services 

Learn more (PDF, 10 pages) 

This guide (PDF, 8 pages) spreads awareness of human trafficking among student leaders on college campuses. The guide includes information about: 

• What human trafficking is 

• How to recognize human trafficking on college campuses 

• Key indicators of human trafficking 

• Examples of human trafficking on college campuses 

• Tips for how to spread awareness in your campus community 

• Reporting options if you suspect someone is affected by human trafficking or being exploited  

Learn more (PDF, 8 pages).