5C28356AB76453C58725845C0060E7B9 Hearing Summary

Dr. Floyd Cobb, representing CDE, discussed best practices for the prevention of bullying.

Sarah Younggren, representing Mental Health Colorado, spoke about community-driven models of suicide and violence prevention and how to handle post-incident response. She also talked about trauma caused by drills.

Abe Laydon, representing Douglas County, provided written testimony and a report to the committee (Attachments G and H).

Lora Thomas, representing Douglas County, provided written testimony and a report to the committee (Attachments I and J).

Stephen Fusco, representing the Center for Special Education Law, addressed the threat assessment process and made a distinction between transient threats and substantive threats. He also raised the issue of training for school resource officers.

Pamela Bisceglia, representing Advocacy Denver, spoke about threat assessments and students with special needs.

Deanna Hirsch and Denise Maes, representing the ACLU, spoke about the recommended ratio of mental health professionals to students in schools. They discussed the efficacy of school resource officers and the disproportionate number of minority students who are arrested in school settings. They recommended the prioritization of funding for mental health professionals over that of law enforcement in schools.

The committee discussed measures Douglas County has put in place to enhance school safety. The panelists talked about a multi-disciplinary approach to school safety.  The committee recessed for lunch.