Description:
The School District of Philadelphia's (District) Office of School Safety and Office of Student Support Services, in a collaborative application, were awarded the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) School Mental Health & Safety and Security FY22-23 Grant. The grant provides over $6 million in funding for a variety of critical mental health, and safety and security supports.
One of the major school safety and security areas funded under the grant is for active shooter response training, including the purchase of e-learning curriculum, trainer certification, and age-appropriate curricular materials. The District will use the ALICE training methodology for this training initiative. During the January 2023 Board of Education meeting, the Office of School Safety received authorization to enter into a contract with Navigate360 for ALICE for active shooter response curriculum, training certification services, and related learning materials. The PCCD grant also funds contracted consulting services to support the planning and implementation of this major training initiative.
Why is this contract needed?
Following a competitive solicitation process, Atriade, LLC has been selected to provide contracted consulting services to the Office of School Safety and Office of Professional Learning as they work with other District departments to plan and implement this District-wide training initiative which will involve all District employees. The completely grant funded services authorized under this action item are necessary given the scale of this major training initiative.
How is this work connected to the District’s plan to achieve Goals & Guardrails?
Guardrail 1, welcoming, safe, and supportive schools aligns directly with this training initiative. All District employees must be well-prepared and well-supported in preparing for emergency scenarios in support of safe schools.
How will the success of this contract be measured?
The on-time development of an thorough and effective multi-year training plan for all employees that blends e-learning and in-person training, and ongoing support that ensures the project remains on schedule, meeting key benchmarks identified in the training plan.
What has been the consultation with members of District community members in this process?
During the last year, through multiple avenues, including contract negotiations and via Dr. Watlington's Listening and Learning sessions the need for further training in active shooter response was identified. While training in this area has been provided in the past, the current initiative with the ALICE curriculum, and further planning and implementation support, will significantly expand and improve upon past training. As part of the work authorized under this action item, an active shooter response training program committee will be convened with representatives from across the District, including administrators, teachers, as well as reprenentatives from various academic and operational departments.