San Mateo County's Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities is a collaborative, multi-agency group that was formed in 2013, following the fatal shooting of 26 students and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The mission of the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities is to identify and address safety needs of county youth, to work across agencies to implement best practices in emergency response and mental health, and to support with a legal framework for lawful information-sharing, using a common language. 
The Big Five
Through this collaborative process, the Coalition produced the Big Five, a common emergency plan adopted by all San Mateo County school districts and law enforcement agencies. The Big Five protocol supports high-quality training for school staff and community members and ensures clear channels of communication among schools, first responders, parents, and community members should an emergency occur.
Resources
One-Page Overview of The Big Five (English, Spanish)
The Big Five Community Packet (English)
Other Work by the Coalition
In addition to the Big Five, the Coalition released a Student Threat Assessment Protocol and Suicide Prevention Toolkit in August 2017, and has provided training to every school district in San Mateo County, along with several private schools. While not a foolproof method of assessing risk, the Student Threat Assessment Protocol provides every school with an evidence-based process and is intended to provide early intervention and support to students who may be struggling. To support this process, there is also a countywide Level Two Student Threat Assessment Team that meets on a regular basis to review cases.
Learn more about the Coalition's and SMCOE's programs and resources to foster safe and supportive schools.
Members
| Representative | Position/Title | Agency/District |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Abalos | Deputy Director | San Mateo County Probation Department |
| Ed Barberini | Chief of Police | City of San Mateo Police Department |
| Tony Bayudan | Legislative Aide | Board of Supervisor David Canepa |
| Tony Blackman | Battalion Chief | Office of Emergency Services |
| Sophia Brink | Legislative Aide | Board of Supervisor David Canepa |
| Shirley Chu | Clinical Services Manager | San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services |
| Claire Cunningham | Chief Deputy County Attorney | San Mateo County Attorney's Office |
| Jarrett Dooley | Director, Student Services | Sequoia Union High School District |
| John Fong | Director | San Mateo County Children and Family Services |
| Nadia Hahn | Deputy District Attorney | San Mateo County District Attorney's Office |
| Mason Henricks | Coordinator, School Safety and Risk Prevention | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Tom Ledda | Manager | San Mateo County Schools Insurance Group |
| Jeneé Littrell | Consultant | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Patricia Love | Executive Director, Strategy and Communications | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Nancy Magee | County Superintendent of Schools | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Mary McGrath | Executive Director, Safe and Supportive Schools | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Ziomara Ochoa | Deputy Director | San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services |
| Beth Polito | Superintendent | Las Lomitas Elementary School District |
| Don Scatena | Director, Student Services | San Mateo Union High School District |
| Kris Shouse | Associate Superintendent, Educational Services | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Brian Tupper | Director, Public Safety | San Mateo County Community College District |
| Carine Verdusco | Program Manager | San Mateo County Human Services Agency |
Background on the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities
San Mateo County’s collaborative work on school safety began in April 2013, when Congresswoman Speier, Supervisors Horsley and Tissier, Sheriff Munks, Superintendent Anne Campbell, and retired Assemblymember Gene Mullin sponsored a summit, "Beyond Newtown: How to Ensure Safe Schools and Communities." The Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities was created as a result of that summit.
"Beyond Newtown" Summit Resources
The following resources include information presented at the Summit.