1. Creating Safe Schools & Healthy Communities

2. WHO is Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national (gun) violence prevention organization founded by some of the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic school shooting on December 14, 2012.
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director

3. WHAT we do
SHP helps prevent (gun) violence BEFORE it happens by teaching schools and youth organizations how to recognize the signs and signals of individuals who may be at-risk of hurting themselves or others and intervene to get them help.
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director

4. HOW we do it
ATTRACT and engage youth and adults to raise awareness of (gun) violence and help bring our prevention programs to their community
EDUCATE and empower, at no cost, schools and youth organizations in our Know the Signs prevention programs

5. So no other parent has to experience the loss of their child
WHY we do it
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director
So no other parent has to experience the loss of their child

6. A Little Background…

7. 53 Children and Teens are Shot and 7 Die Every Day
Gun violence (defined as homicide, suicide and unintentional shooting) in America is significant…
112, Are Shot
(19,300 Children & Teens)
32, Lose Their Lives
(~2/3 are suicide)
(2,500 Children & Teens)
Averaged
500,000
Acts of Gun Violence Each Year Since 2004
390, Witnesses
(150,000 Children & Teens)
80, Are Injured
(16,800 Children & Teens)
53 Children and Teens are Shot and 7 Die Every Day
Source: FBI, CDC, SHP Calculations. The Truth About Kids and Guns. Average Annually.

8. Ashamed…New approach is needed
Shocked over the number of acts
Ashamed that we had turned away
Become a culture immune to the violence
Launched initiative to better understand
What are the causes of gun violence?
Why haven’t Americans engaged in this issue?
How can it be prevented?
What is getting in the way of prevention?
What role can we take?

9. Key findings that informed our mission
Americans are not engaged in the issue of gun violence - they feel hopeless and are turned off by gun rhetoric
Too much focus on “the gun” as the cause of gun violence - need to address “the human” holding the gun as well
Belief that policy is the only solution - historically, education and community are drivers to change
Schools and youth organizations … petri dish of future violent / non-violent behavior and actions

10. Finally, there is minimal support for prevention
Many individuals often show warning signs and share information BEFORE gun violence occurs, but there is no national program dedicated to helping recognize these signs

11. 6+ Most mass shootings are planned for 6+ MONTHS.
In nearly every case, warning signs were given.

12. 37% 28% 37% of threats of student violence were sent electronically
28% of those used used social media
28%

13. 70% of people who complete suicide tell someone their plans or give some other warning sign.

14. Attract and Engage …
Shift focus away from the gun and to “protecting your child, friend and classmate”
Acknowledge and validate helplessness & hopelessness…Introduce what can be done NOW
Introduce and educate Americans that (gun) violence is preventable if you “Know the Signs”
Build and engage base of Americans to take action. Create Promise Leaders in schools and communities

15. Educate and Empower …
Partner and deliver our “Know the Signs” programs, at no cost, to schools and youth organizations
& Intervention
Safety
Assessment

16. Video

17. Start With Hello …
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director
Teaches students how to be more socially inclusive and connected to each other.

18. Outcome and benefits…
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director
Changes culture from within
Peer led. Empowering.
New engagement levels
Connected community
Bullying reduction, foster socialization

19. Coming in January … Anonymous Reporting System!
Teaches students on how to recognize signs, especially in social media, of an individual who may be a threat to themselves or others and say something to a trusted adult.
Coming in January … Anonymous Reporting System!

20. Outcome and benefits…
Educate on signs and signals – especially in social media
Fosters “upstander” culture
Reduction in violence
Reduction in suicide
Reduction in bullying
More students getting help

21. Gets to the root cause of the issue.
Safety Assessment & Intervention
Training for schools and youth organizations on how to identify, assess and respond to threats and observed at-risk behavior
Gets to the root cause of the issue.
& Intervention
Safety
Assessment

22. Safety Assessment & Intervention
Safer, more open school environment
Violence, bullying, threats reduction
Educator fear, anxiety reduction
Short, long term suspension reduction
More positive view of teachers and staff by students
& Intervention
Safety
Assessment

23. Youth Mental Health First Aid
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director
Training for schools and community-based orgs on how to identify, intervene and help in children and teens in mental health crisis or displaying at-risk behavior, especially those at-risk of suicide.

24. Outcome and benefits…
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director
Educated on Mental Illness
Better understand signs and signals
Get help for students in need
Speak and act with credibility
Breaks down stigmas

25. While helping to prevent gun violence … we are helping the wellness of ALL
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director
SHP Programs help the 6-8% that may become violent while also helping the % who will never become violent but may struggle with addiction, social, emotional and cognitive impairment and other physical ailments

26. Video

27. Program delivery and sustainability…
Delivery - AT NO COST
Direct Training for all programs – 50 National Trainers
Digital Download (Say Something and Start With Hello only)
Sustainability -
SHP Program Managers work with schools post-launch
Embed youth programs in existing clubs
SHP annual call-to-action weeks
Materials, collateral for students, community and parents
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director

28. Email programs@sandyhookpromise.org with any questions!
National Call to Action Weeks
Say Something Week
October 24-28, 2016
Start With Hello Week
February 6-10, 2017
with any questions!

29. SHP Impact and Momentum…

30. SHP Impact and Momentum…
1,000,000+ youth and adults trained in our programs
Trained in ~1,270 schools and youth organizations
Built a base of 810,000+ supporters from 50 states
Trained 1,930 Promise Leaders from 49 states
Built a network of ~450 alliances and partnerships
Prevented school shooting, suicides, gun threats and helped youth get access to mental health assistance
Expanding into Miami-Dade public schools, LA public schools and have 6 other districts joining in 2016
Discovery Education and national student clubs
Timothy Makris – Executive Director Mark Barden – Managing Director Paula Fynboh – National Field Director

31. How Can You Help… Make the Promise at sandyhookpromise.org
Bring our Know the Signs programs to your school – direct training or digital download. We have folders with details on each program. Key contact:
Paula Fynboh, National Field Director
Join Sandy Hook Promise for our Say Something and Start With Hello Weeks – info on our website

32. Thank You

33. Make the Promise to Protect Children and Together We Can Prevent Gun Violence