Highlights of the 9/26 Safe and Successful Kids Interlocal Meeting

September 26, 2024

The Safe and Successful Kids (SSK) Interlocal Board, composed of members from both the Lincoln Board of Education and the City of Lincoln, held their regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center. 

2024-2025 Election of officers

Lincoln Board of Education member Kathy Danek was elected chair, and City Council member James Michael Bowers was elected vice-chair.

Review of annual report on mental health services

Staff from Lincoln Public Schools presented an update on mental health services and supports in schools and how it relates to school safety. The SSK Interlocal Agreement funds a portion of the mental health supports that were highlighted during the presentation.

The Threat Assessment Team assesses and manages targeted violence risk. They also help support staff, students and families by creating safety plans, connecting families to services, aligning school supports, and ensuring continuity of care.

The Threat Assessment Team works collaboratively with the Lincoln Police Department, and aligns with national standards on targeted violence management. Members of the Threat Assessment Team include LPS Security Coordinator Jon Sundermeier, LPS Safety Social Work Coordinator Allyson Headrick, LPS Safety Social Worker Kristi Lange, LPS Violence Prevention Psychotherapist-Liesel Hogan, and Lincoln Police Department Investigator Nate Hill.

The majority of referrals to the Threat Assessment Team are initiated by schools to the team. Reports are also shared through the green Safe to Say button on the LPS website, the Safe2Help Nebraska website, and phone calls to the Lincoln Police Department. Anyone in the community can report a safety concern. 

LPS Social Work Coordinator Andrea Phillips also shared information about collaboration efforts between LPS and community therapist agencies.

Schools integrate community mental health support through the Multi-Tiered Student Support for Behavior as mental health directly impacts behavior. There are therapists located in schools and social workers use data to manage referrals.

Through the interlocal collaboration, roughly 385 students were served by community agencies in school last school year. This is in addition to other students who receive support through other programs.

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