Central Oregon school superintendents, fire and police chiefs, sheriffs, district attorneys, and public and mental health leaders will convene on Wednesday, November 20, at 8 a.m. at the High Desert Education Service District in Redmond to reaffirm their commitment to the Safe Schools Alliance (SSA). This annual event serves to bolster ongoing community partnerships and multi-agency efforts dedicated to strengthening the safety of students, staff, and school environments. The leaders will sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), furthering their collaboration to address youth violence prevention and foster the healthy development of children and families in the region.
“When students feel safe, they thrive academically, emotionally and socially. Creating secure environments for both students and staff takes collective action, and schools can’t do this critical work alone,” said Jim Boen, Regional Director of Mental and Behavioral Health for HDESD. “Through this multi-agency partnership, our region continues to prioritize school safety for everyone.”
The Safe Schools Alliance originated in 1998 following the tragic school shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. Deschutes County responded by establishing CRASH (Crime Reduction at School Houses), which eventually evolved into the SSA, expanding its reach to include Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties. This collaboration between law enforcement, fire, mental health agencies, district attorneys and schools was among the first of its kind in the U.S. and has become a national model for excellence in interagency cooperation for school safety.
The SSA meets regularly throughout the year, addressing critical issues such as substance abuse, sex trafficking, facility safety and school violence protocols. Members work together on safety training, facility reviews and creating positive school climates.
Agencies invited to attend the Safe Schools Alliance MOU signing event include:
Bend Fire and Rescue
Bend Police Department
Bend-La Pine Schools
Black Butte Ranch Police Department
Cascades Academy
Crook County District Attorney
Crook County Fire and Rescue
Crook County Juvenile Justice
Crook County Sheriff’s Office
Crook County School District
Culver School District
Department of Human Services-Child Welfare (Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties)
Deschutes County Behavioral Health
Deschutes County District Attorney
Deschutes County Juvenile Justice
Deschutes County Health Services
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
High Desert Education Service District
Jefferson County Education Service District
Jefferson County District Attorney
Jefferson Fire District
Jefferson County Juvenile Justice
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Jefferson County School District
La Pine Rural Fire Protection District
Prineville Police Department
Redmond Fire and Rescue
Redmond Police Department
Redmond School District
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District
Sisters School District
St. Francis School
Sunriver Fire Department
Sunriver Police Department
Trinity Lutheran School
For more information about the Safe Schools Alliance, visit: centraloregonschoolsafety.org.
About the High Desert Education Service District
The High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) provides vital services to the school districts in Central Oregon, linking them to state and national resources. HDESD’s programs help minimize service duplication, conserve local budgets and offer specialized programs that enhance education across the region.
