ERCM Activities at the Center for Safe Schools
Emergency Response Crisis Management (ERCM) is a specialized project under the Center for Safe Schools. The project was initially funded through a grant from the United States Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. Funding continues through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The ERCM website contains practical resources, knowledge about process and procedures in developing comprehensive safe schools plans, especially those related to the emergency response and crisis management components. The ERCM staff encourages and supports Pennsylvania schools in developing and improving comprehensive All-Hazards Plans in conjunction with their local emergency service organizations and agencies.
Pennsylvania Safe Schools Advisory Committee
The PA Safe Schools Advisory Committee (PSSAC), is an advisory group convened by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Community and Student Services. PSSAC, facilitated by The Center for Safe Schools on PDE’s behalf, is comprised of representatives from a wide-range of state agencies and organizations such as the Pennsylvania State Police, Homeland Security, PEMA, Department of Health, Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Public and private schools and intermediate units are also well represented on the Committee. PSSAC meets on a quarterly basis to address better coordination of resources and services available to schools, to identify key school safety and violence prevention issues and concerns and to recommend solutions to ensure that all schools in the Commonwealth are safe places for teaching and learning to occur.
The Committee’s work specifically focuses on:
- Identification of needs and gaps in resources and services
- Increased coordination and reducing duplication of resources and services
- Dissemination of best practices
- Provision of input and recommendations on policy issues, professional development and training and related resource development.
PSSAC Mission Statement
The mission of this committee is to improve school safety and youth violence prevention efforts in the Commonwealth through increased awareness of best practices, coordination of technical assistance and training efforts and recommendation of policy and practice change.
PSSAC Goals
- To promote state and local coordination and collaboration;
- To recommend direct service delivery practices;
- To review and recommend training and/or exercise scenarios;
- To advise, review and promote online resources; and
- To assist local education agencies in project sustainability.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
State Agencies:
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Pennsylvania Department of Education (COMMITTEE CHAIR)
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
State Fire Commissioner’s Office
Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security
Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General
Pennsylvania State Police
Local Education Agencies:
Carlisle Area School District
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
East Penn School District
Hazleton School District
Lincoln Intermediate Unit
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
Neshaminy School District
North Montco Technical Career Center
School District of Philadelphia
Agencies and Associations:
Center for Safe Schools (COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR)
Commonwealth Approved SAP Training Providers
Holy Spirit Hospital Community Mental Health Center
Keystone Crisis Intervention Team
Pennsylvania Network of Student Assistance Services
Pennsylvania School Boards Association
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Addiction Medicine Services of WPIC
For additional information, contact:
Mary I. Ramirez, Director
Bureau of Community and Student Services
PA Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Voice: (717) 783-3755
TTY: (717) 783-8445
E-mail: maramirez@state.pa.us
Myrna M. Delgado, Chief
Bureau of Community and Student Services
Division of Student and Safe Schools Services
PA Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Voice: (717) 783-2813
TTY: (717) 783-8445
E-mail: mdelgado@state.pa.us
Michael J. Kozup, Safe Schools Supervisor
Bureau of Community and Student Services
Division of Student and Safe Schools Services
PA Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Voice: (717) 705-0353
TTY: (717) 783-8445
E-mail: mkozup@state.pa.us
Donald Smith, Emergency Planning and Response Management Coordinator
Center for Safe Schools
275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Voice: (717) 763-1661, ext. 103
E-mail: dsmith@csc.csiu.org