Regardless of whether we are operating remotely or through in-person learning, student safety is paramount to our mission at Illini Bluffs CUSD #327. COVID-19 has changed the world we live in and we see that each and every day in our schools, our community and throughout our state. We want to continue to provide every available resource to help our parents, teachers, students and staff as we continue to navigate this COVID-19 environment.
This semester our school district will begin participating in a new statewide school safety program called Safe2Help Illinois. I will be coordinating this district initiative and I wanted to share information about Safe2Help Illinois. This program will offer students a safe and confidential way to share information that may help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence, and other threats to student safety. The program also includes an educational curriculum aimed at fostering a culture of kindness, as well as resources for educators and parents to reinforce the program concepts with their students.
Safe2Help Illinois features a 24/7 helpline (1-844-4-SAFEIL), free mobile app, and dedicated website (www.Safe2HelpIL.com). Students can use Safe2Help Illinois to share concerns about themselves or others in a confidential environment. Once vetted, the information will be immediately shared with local school officials, mental health professionals, and/or local law enforcement, depending on the nature of the tip. It is important to note that this program is not intended to punish students. Rather, the intent is to encourage students to “seek help before harm,” with the goal of intervening and helping students before they harm themselves or others. As of December 17, 2020, all reporting programs (helpline, mobile app, email, and web reporting) are available to be used by our community.
Click here to watch a short video explanation of Safe2HelpIL at Illini Bluffs.
Long-term goals of Safe2Help Illinois are to remove the stigma associated with mental health issues, promote a culture of kindness, and instill important lessons such as the difference between telling and tattling, internet safety, and suicide prevention.