About
Creating Safe Schools and Communities
Following the 2012 fatal shooting of 26 students and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, San Mateo County leaders were spurred to create a collaborative, multi-agency group to create safe schools and communities across the county.
The group, named the San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities, developed several protocols and frameworks for improved coordination and information sharing across agencies.
Today, all school districts and law enforcement agencies in San Mateo County use the protocols and evidence-based processes created by the Coalition. Guided by a Steering Committee comprised of elected leaders and agency heads countywide, the Coalition continues to identify and address the needs of county youth so that they can learn and grow in safe and supportive school environments.
Vision
Create and sustain safe and positive school and community environments so all county youth may thrive and succeed.
Mission
Identify and address the safety needs of county youth, work across agencies to implement best practices in emergency response and mental health, and support with a legal framework for lawful information-sharing, using a common language.
Creating Safe Schools and Communities
Following the 2012 fatal shooting of 26 students and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, San Mateo County leaders were spurred to create a collaborative, multi-agency group to create safe schools and communities across the county.
The group, named the San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities, developed several protocols and frameworks for improved coordination and information sharing across agencies.
Today, all school districts and law enforcement agencies in San Mateo County use the protocols and evidence-based processes created by the Coalition. Guided by a Steering Committee comprised of elected leaders and agency heads countywide, the Coalition continues to identify and address the needs of county youth so that they can learn and grow in safe and supportive school environments.
Work Developed by the Coalition
Through a collaborative process, the Coalition produced The Big Five, a set of emergency protocols adopted by all San Mateo County school districts and law enforcement agencies; a Student Threat Assessment Protocol, which provides schools with an evidence-based process and is intended to provide early intervention and support to students who may pose a threat to themselves or others; Suicide Prevention Toolkit; the Naloxone for Schools Program; and other resources.
Click on the links below to explore each area of the Coalition's work.
About the Coalition
2024-25 Coalition Members
| Representative | Position/Title | Agency/District |
|---|---|---|
| Jei Africa | Director | Behavioral Health and Recovery Services |
| Ian Bain | Executive Director, Strategy and Communications | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Ed Barberini | Chief of Police | City of San Mateo Police Department |
| Dorene Basuino | Associate Superintendent, Human Resources & Student Services | Jefferson Union High School District |
| Lisa Cho | County Deputy Attorney | San Mateo County Attorney's Office |
| Shirley Chu | Clinical Services Manager | San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services |
| Jehan Clark | Deputy Chief Probation Officer | San Mateo County Probation Office |
| Noelia Corzo | Supervisor | San Mateo County Board of Supervisors |
| Dave Cosgrave | Supervising Emergency Manager | Department of Emergency Management |
| Claire Cunningham | Agency Director | San Mateo County Human Services Agency |
| Jarrett Dooley | Director, Student Services | Sequoia Union High School District |
| Christina Falla | Legislative Aide | Office of Supervisor Noelia Corzo |
| John Fong | Director | San Mateo County Children and Family Services |
| Kristen Gracia | Superintendent, Menlo Park City School District | San Mateo County Superintendents Association |
| 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, Workers Compensation and Loss Control | San Mateo County Schools Insurance Group |
| 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 |
| Jennifer Mecham | Fire Investigator and Youth Fire Interventionist | San Mateo Consolidated Fire |
| Ziomara Ochoa | Deputy Director | San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services |
| Katrina Rill | Chief of Staff | Office of Supervisor Jackie Speier |
| Don Scatena | Deputy Superintendent, Student Support Services | Burlingame School District |
| Kristen Shouse | Associate Superintendent, Educational Services | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Becky Stephan | Coordinator, School Safety and Student Supports | San Mateo County Office of Education |
| Brian Tupper | Director and Chief of Public Safety | San Mateo County Community College District |
| Linda Wolin | Assistant | San Mateo County Executive's Office |
How the Coalition Was Created
San Mateo County’s collaborative work on school safety began in April 2013, when former Congresswoman Jackie Speier, former County Supervisors Don Horsley and Adrienne Tissier, Sheriff Greg Munks, retired 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.
The following resources include information presented at the Summit.