HPS Safety and Security

The safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our number one priority. We conduct evaluations and walk-throughs of our buildings to ensure our plans, procedures, and infrastructure are up-to-date and effective. We will continue to make improvements as necessary to maintain our security.

Click here to view a detailed list of safety and security plans.

Students in grades 6-12 have a tool to make their communities safer. The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SSARS), created by Sandy Hook Promise. It is the only anonymous system with a National Crisis Center line exclusively serving schools.

SSARS is designed to prevent shootings, bullying, self-harm and other forms of violence. The program offers students multiple ways to report any serious concerns about personal crises or school threats. There is a free mobile app, a website, and a phone number that connects to the National Crisis Center 24/7. When a credible, life-threatening report is received, the Crisis Center notifies school-based representatives and in some cases, contacts 911 and local law enforcement.

Additionally, the program teaches students to:

  • Reach out to students showing signs of isolation or loneliness
  • Recognize the signs and threats of at-risk behaviors
  • Take every sign and signal seriously
  • Reach out to a trusted adult for help or use the anonymous reporting tools
  • Sandy Hook Promise provides training on these tools at no cost to HPS students and staff.

Click here for more information about Say Something.

The DCF Careline is open 24 hrs/7 days a week to receive calls from people with questions, concerns, and reports of child abuse and neglect. Care line staff is available to provide information to the community and professionals.

EMPS Mobile Crisis Intervention Services for children and adolescents experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis that is accessed by calling 2-1-1, then hitting 1. A team of nearly 150 trained mental health professionals across the state that can respond immediately by phone or face to face within 45 minutes when a child is experiencing an emotional or behavioral crisis, serving children in their homes and communities: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

By dialing 2-1-1 from anywhere in Connecticut, you will reach a highly-trained contact specialist who will assess your needs and provide referrals to the resources in your community. This resource helps callers find assistance for financial problems, substance abuse, suicide prevention, utility assistance, food, housing, child care, after school programs, crisis intervention and much more. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Multilingual assistance and TDD access is also available.

HelpLine staff and volunteers will provide telephone support and crisis phone counseling, suicide intervention, and referrals to sources of help, 24 hours/7 days.

On-site counselor/advocates are available to help victims of domestic violence, their friends and family 24-hours-a-day. Counselor/advocates assist with safety planning, information and referrals and offer support. Spanish-speaking counselors and multilingual translation services are available. The 24-Hour Hotline is answered by an Interval House crisis counselor. All services are free and confidential.

YWCA’s Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) offers assistance to sexual assault survivors and their loved ones. These services are critical after such trauma, helping victims and their families regain feelings of independence, optimism and hope. The advocates on staff are trained to work with hospital staff, the court system, public safety officers and other counselors assisting their clients.

Provides core essential representation on legal problems related to people’s ability to meet their basic human needs.

The Office of the Child Advocate released a report on Friday, February 10, 2017 regarding the failure of the Hartford Public Schools to comply with legal requirements for mandated reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. A Letter from the Superintendent, a link to the OCA Report and the Hartford Public Schools Draft Action Plan to respond to the Report’s findings are provided here along with additional materials and resources.

  • For specific questions regarding the OCA report, please contact the Office of the Child Advocate at 800-994-0939 or email at oca@ct.gov.
  • For questions regarding the HPS Action Plan, please call 860-695-8000 or email communications@hartfordschools.org.

Be a part of the actions we are taking to build a culture of  accountability, communication, respect and safety so every child can thrive.

If you missed our forums , you can watch Information Presentations by the Office of the Connecticut State Child Advocate on their OCA Report, and HPS Action Plan Presentation by Acting Superintendent, Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez forum.

 

IMPORTANT: If an individual is reporting a case of suspected child abuse or neglect or suspected sexual assault of a student by a school employee, follow Mandated Reporters directive to “report orally to the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Careline or a law enforcement agency within 12 hours of suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected and (the individual) must submit a written report (DCF-136 form) to DCF within 48 hours of making the oral report:

CareLine: 1-800-842-2288.

For supports in the community and referrals: Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Connecticut and caller will reach a highly-trained contact specialist who will assess their needs and provide referrals to resources in the community for their child, their family and others. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Multilingual assistance and TDD access is also available.