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The world of school safety is continually evolving, which is why strong partnerships amongst school safety leaders is increasingly important. The partnership between Raptor and The “I Love U Guys” Foundation helps further and refine the research and best practices of school safety—a collaboration that equips schools with the tools and knowledge they need to streamline their emergency response.
In this Q&A with Carly Posey, the Mission Director of The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, we’ll delve into The Foundation’s evolution to meet schools’ needs as they face unprecedented challenges, how technology is changing the landscape of school safety, and the impact of the Foundation’s partnership with Raptor.
1. You joined The "I Love U Guys" Foundation following the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Can you tell me a little about your start with The Foundation and how you have seen it evolve since?
I joined The “I Love U Guys” Foundation after relocating to Colorado on December 15th, 2012, a day after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which my children survived. Given the trauma of being personally involved in the tragedy, I became focused on ensuring the safety of my children in their school. After dedicating a few years as a mother, I formally joined the foundation six years ago as the Mission Director.
When I started, the foundation already had programs like the Standard Response Protocol and the Standard Reunification Method in place. Over the years, we’ve refined these programs and expanded our partnerships. While the foundation has grown significantly during my tenure, our core mission remains unchanged since its inception in 2006: to protect the joy of youth by ensuring safe schools and communities. We continue to work diligently towards this goal.
2. What future do you see for the organization’s legacy?
We began with a focus on the K-12 space, particularly with the standard response protocol and standard reunification method. While there remains a strong demand for these protocols in schools, we’re also observing an increasing interest in training.
As we expand our vision, we see our programs being adopted in higher education, churches, municipalities, and other community organizations. These entities recognize the importance of having response and reunification plans. Our reach is now extending to emergency management and public health sectors. This organic growth to various stakeholders is both exciting and essential, as our ultimate goal is to ensure the safety of the entire community.
3. How have those new additions influenced the safety conversation, especially considering the involvement of local community organizations in events like reunifications? How are these communities and schools influencing each other in this dialogue?
So, that’s been exciting to see. What really started The Foundation down this path was when we introduced our reunification exercise training in 2019 in an effort to involve more community stakeholders. While school districts hosted our training, it became evident that a broader range of entities needed to be involved for effective reunification practices.
Since then, we’ve observed increased collaboration between public health organizations, hospitals, first responders, emergency managers, schools, and districts. This collective effort is crucial for comprehensive school and community safety. That reunification exercise has been really valuable in building relationships among these organizations, ensuring a coordinated approach before, during, and after emergencies.
4. The "I Love U Guys" Foundation emphasizes methodologies on Response and Recovery. Is Prevention on the roadmap? What do you see as important elements to preventing school violence?
We view school safety as a holistic circle, where planning your emergency response is inherently a part of prevention—it’s done before the emergency.
Our focus has always been on identifying gaps in school safety and addressing them. For instance, the Foundation’s founders, John-Michael and Ellen Keys, recognized the lack of common terminology between school districts and first responders, leading to the creation of the Standard Response Protocol. In 2012, they identified another gap regarding reunifying parents and students after a school emergency, resulting in the Standard Reunification Method.
As we navigate the landscape of school safety, we’re continually assessing these gaps and considering potential new programs. Our collaborations, including with partners like Raptor, provide valuable insights, especially from a technological perspective. We’re dedicated to refining our existing programs and always exploring what’s next to ensure the safety of schools and communities, with input from our trusted partners.
5. How have you seen technology enhance the standard reunification training?
Technology, especially like what we’ve accomplished in collaboration with Raptor, has significantly enhanced our standard reunification method. Schools face numerous challenges, and technology offers efficiency and support in ensuring student safety. The ability to access the process on phones and computers has improved the fidelity of the method. Using technology not only enhances our programs but also expedites the reunification of students and parents.
6. Schools already participate in state-mandated safety drills. Why is an additional training program important for schools? What do they offer beyond what drill compliance provides?
Schools indeed participate in state-mandated safety drills, but there’s more to school safety than just compliance. While states now mandate specific types and numbers of drills, many are seeking alignment with the standard response protocol. We’ve partnered with several states to align this protocol with their legislation, offering a customized curriculum tailored to each state’s unique requirements.
Historically, states might have mandated basic drills like fire drills, but the landscape is evolving. Now, there’s a focus on the comprehensive standard response protocol, which encompasses five actions to address various safety scenarios.
Simply checking a box doesn’t equate to genuine school safety. True safety is about integrating these actions and protocols into the school’s culture. It’s a holistic approach that considers all potential threats, whether they’re weather events, medical emergencies, intruders, or external incidents affecting the school. The goal is for school and district leaders to ensure that everyone, from teachers to students, internalizes these safety measures.
Our resources at The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, including a detailed 40-page operational guidance on the standard response protocol, emphasize this holistic approach. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about comprehensive training, engaging parents, ensuring students understand their roles, and fostering a deeper understanding of everyone’s role in emergencies. Safety is a collective effort that goes beyond mere drill compliance.
7. You've spoken at numerous schools and school safety conferences to share strategies, guidance, and resources to keep kids safe. What is your one key message for schools when it comes to safety?
Prioritize safety. While the primary role of schools has traditionally been education, it’s now clear that ensuring students feel safe is a prerequisite for effective learning. Students can’t focus on their studies if they don’t feel secure.
It’s crucial for schools to adopt a genuine ‘safety-first’ mindset, not just in words but in actions. It’s essential to prioritize safety for all stakeholders, build strong relationships, and support both students and staff. In essence, the focus should be on people and genuinely adopting a safety-first mindset.
Working toward safe schools—together
“I am most pleased that we have an accurate, online list at any point in time of who is on our campus. One administrator said, after completing the reunification practice drill, ‘This part of the system ALONE is a game changer. It’s worth every penny to have the ability to reunify using Raptor.’” Yvette Cavender, Grammar School Principal at Coram Deo Academy, TX
Collaboration and cooperation are critical to the school safety and security landscape. Together, we can help protect every child, every school, every day™
Raptor is 100% aligned with the Standard Reunification Method from The “I Love U Guys” Foundation. Connected to your student information system, Raptor helps ensure students are only reunified with approved guardians.
About Carley Posey
Carly Posey is a national speaker and advocate for school safety. Two of her four children were inside Sandy Hook Elementary School when an armed man entered the building on December 14, 2012. Her son and daughter survived, but the lessons learned were significant. The lack of preparedness within the community to respond to and recover from such an incident left a lasting impression.
Today, as Mission Director for the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, Carly travels the country sharing her story to promote school safety and preparedness. Her experiences as a parent and a community member provide a compelling, often heartbreaking, case study for the need to prepare for the unthinkable. Carly has previously served as the Executive Director for the Safe2Tell Nonprofit and as Program Director for Anderson Software. She now lives in Colorado with her husband, Dave, and their four children.
Related Resources
Guide to K-12 Emergency Management
Proven Strategies to Protect Your School
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