Student and Family Resources

Call/Text 911

All Pennsylvania counties have text-to-911 capabilities.

The best advice is to call if you can, but text if you can't. Calling provides background sounds and context clues to aid operators and emergency responders.

Call/Text 911 when you're in a situation where you or others feel unsafe or threatened.

In general, 911 operators ask callers for:

Location
Contact number
Address
Nature of emergency
Follow-up details

Don't call for non-emergencies like:

Power outages
Help for pets (call your veterinarian)
Theft that already happened (call your police department's non-emergency line)
Questions about street closures, weather, or laws/regulations

Call/Text 988

988 can be used by anyone, any time, at no cost. Trained crisis response professionals can support individuals considering suicide, self-harm, or any behavioral or mental health need for themselves or people looking for help for a loved one experiencing a mental health crisis. Lifeline services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no cost to the caller.

988 counselors located at 12 crisis call centers around Pennsylvania can immediately provide phone-based support and connections to local resources.

If needed, the counselor can:

Activate a mobile mental health crisis team that will arrive on site;
Provide therapeutic interventions; and/or
Make referrals for outpatient services or transportation for further evaluation.

Crisis Lifeline Webpage

Call 211

211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services, childcare and family services, after-school programs for kids, and More!

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. You can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. Their specialists will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in your community that might be able to help.

PA 211 Webpage

Here’s how it works:

Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app

Safe2Say PA Webpage

Safe2Say Something

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20's School Based Behavioral Threat Assessment Team Leads:

COLONIAL ACADEMY:

Assistant Principal - Mr. Michael Halamar

CIU 20 Supplemental Support Team:

School Safety & Security Coordinator - Mr. James Stout

School Based Threat Assessment

Act 18 of 2019 amended the Public School Code of 1949 by adding Article XIII-E, Threat Assessment. Among its provisions, Article XIII-E requires the establishment of threat assessment teams for all school entities in Pennsylvania and tasks the School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) to research, develop and provide free threat assessment guidelines, training and informational materials, as well as model procedures and guidelines for school entities.

In summary, each school entity shall establish at least one team as provided under subsection (b) for the assessment of and intervention with students whose behavior may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, school facilities, the community or others.

What is a Threat Assessment?

A Behavioral Threat Assessment is a multidisciplinary, fact-based, systematic process designed to identify, assess, and manage potentially dangerous or violent situations.
The purpose of school based threat assessment team is to identify, evaluate, and address potential threats to help schools distinguish between incidents where a student made a threat that is not actually legitimate (with no intent to harm) and other incidents in which the student does pose an actual threat of targeted violence.
In all cases, the goal is to pair the student with proper school and community-based intervention and supports.

Your Willingness and initiative to report a concern is key!

Report your concerns to your trusted school leadership staff, or through your choice method of using the Safe2Say Program!

How Are Bullying and Cyberbullying defined in Pennsylvania Anti-Bullying Laws and Regulations?

Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws include the following definitions of bullying and cyberbullying:

“Bullying” shall mean an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, or a series of acts:

(1) directed at another student or students;

(2) which occurs in a school setting;

(3) that is severe, persistent, or pervasive; and

(4) that has the effect of doing any of the following:

(i) substantially interfering with a student’s education;

(ii) creating a threatening environment; or

(iii) substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

24 Pa. Stat. § 13-1303.1-A (2008)

Checkout information to get informed about Pennsylvania's anti-bullying laws and policies on the official Stop Bullying government webpage.

Stop Bullying Webpage

Bullying Prevention

If your child is experiencing bullying…

When you discover your child is being bullied, you may feel a variety of emotions, from anger to fear to sadness. These reactions and emotional responses are natural for parents who want their child to feel valued, protected, and loved. To become an effective advocate for your child, it is important to acknowledge your emotions and then focus on developing an action plan to help your child.

Talk with your child
Support and empower your child
Learn your rights
Think through who else should be involved
Get involved in the community

See additional guidance, resources and recommendations at Pacer's Webpage

Pacer Webpage

Report Suspected Child Abuse

Mandated reporters are certain adults, who are legally required to report suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse. The law requires that the mandated reporter identify themselves and where they can be reached. In addition to having documentation that the report was made, this information is also helpful so that if clarification on the situation or additional information is needed, the children and youth caseworker can contact the mandated reporter.

Mandated reporters may report by telephone or electronically through the Child Welfare Portal.

Permissive reporters are individuals who are encouraged to report suspected child abuse, although not required by law. Permissive reporters can make a report at any time they suspect a child is the victim of child abuse. Permissive reporters may report anonymously. Permissive reporters can report by telephone by calling 1-800-932-0313.

Trained specialists are available 24/7 to receive referrals of suspected child abuse and general child well-being concerns.

Each report is handled by a trained specialist who determine the most appropriate course of action. Actions include forwarding the report to:

County children and youth agencies or the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) Regional Offices for investigation or assessment;
Law enforcement officials for investigation; and
Department of Human Services program offices for review and possible licensing action.

When making a report of suspected child abuse or general child well-being concerns, it is important to provide as much information as possible. The below list will give you a general idea of what information our trained specialists will ask you for:

Name and physical description of the child
Age or approximate age range of the child
Name, home address, and telephone number of legal guardian or parent of the child
Name or physical description of suspected child abuse perpetrator
Home address and telephone number of suspected child abuse perpetrator
Suspected perpetrator's relationship to the child
Description of the suspected injury to the child
Where the incident took place
Any concern for the child's immediate safety
Your relationship to the child
Your contact information, although you may report anonymously if you are a permissive reporter

Report Child Abuse

Child Welfare Portal

CIU20 Area Children & Youth Services Offices:

Northampton County

Address: 2801 Emrick Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18020

Phone: (610) 559-3290

Monroe County

Address: 730 Phillips St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Phone: (570) 420-3590

Pike County

Address: 506 Broad St # 202,

Milford, PA 18337

Phone: (570) 296-3446

Report abuse