COLUMBUS – The state is making some enhancements to the free Safer Ohio School Tip Line that will make it easier for Ohioans to report school safety concerns, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday.
In addition to calling and texting the tip line (1-844-SAFEROH), Ohioans anywhere in the state can now report school safety information through a new smartphone app and online web form (click image below for link).
“Not everyone wants to make a phone call or send a text – some are more likely to report concerns by sending a message through an app or website. We’re making these upgrades so that it’s as simple as possible for all Ohioans to quickly and anonymously report any potential school safety threats in a manner that makes them comfortable,” DeWine said.
The app, available both on iOS and Android devices, and the online web form include pre-populated prompts to help users anonymously report concerns such as, verbal or written threats, weapons or suspicious devices, suspicious behavior, bullying, hazing and gang-related activities.
The call center is staffed by multilingual team members fluent in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, German, and Arabic and is now also equipped with telephonic language translation for additional languages including Chinese, Japanese, Pennsylvania Dutch, Somali, Twi, and Vietnamese.
Students, parents and school staff are also encouraged to report withdrawn student behaviors and self-harm or suicidal sentiments. The tip line will also be newly staffed by crisis response professionals who are trained to help individuals contemplating self-harm.
“Intelligence analysts previously manned the tip line, but we felt that it was important to staff the call center with individuals experienced in helping those with immediate mental health needs,” said Emily Torok, executive director of the Ohio School Safety Center.
“Now, instead of referring those who need urgent help to other sources of support, crisis response professionals with the Safer Ohio School Tip Line can immediately provide intervention support and notify first responders to conduct a wellness check,” Torok said.
Additional upgrades include more flexibility for schools and law enforcement to increase the number of staff members who receive immediate tips.
The theme of the second annual Ohio School Safety Month is “Relationships for Safety,” which recognizes the impact that positive relationships between school staff and students play in maintaining a safe learning environment, DeWine said.
DeWine developed the Ohio School Safety Center within the Ohio Department of Public Safety to maintain and promote the tip line and assists schools and first responders in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence.
The center’s staff also scans social media and websites to identify threats.