Behavorial Health Initiative Action Team
Action Team Goal
The Promoting Positive Adult Connections Team aims to reduce the chance of a school shooting in northwest Michigan and to create a school and community environment where all children are safe and thriving. It is jointly sponsored by Safer Kids, Safer Schools and the NWCHIR’s Behavioral Health Initiative.
Targeted Problem
Physical safety measures and procedures are important, but not fail-safe. The entire community must consider the well-being of our youth as a priority and responsibility. This includes identifying ways to address those factors often associated with school shootings.
Our Collective Work
To create a school and community environment where all children are safe and thriving, the Promoting Positive Adult Connections Action Team is creating a social media campaign that will promote caring for every child, support mental health literacy, reduce stigma associated with mental illness, and increase awareness on the resources that are available for children, youth, and families. The campaign will also highlight the importance of acting now to prevent a school shooting. The Team will also partner with United Way to build a page on their web platform that will house resources and information on youth and family activities, programs, and services. Finally, the Team will utilize the social media campaign to highlight the importance of volunteering to support children, youth, families, and schools and advertise volunteer opportunities through United Way’s online Volunteer Center.
Understanding the Factors Associated with School Shootings
Safer Schools, Safer Kids convened a task force of 26 stakeholders who studied the problem of school shootings. They read and discussed the book The Violence Project, developed some preliminary recommendations, and engaged numerous community members in a series of 6 community forums to understand the factors associated with school shootings.
Design and Implementation Team Members
Since 2024, 28 stakeholders in the NW MI region have been engaged in the work of this Action Team.
Leaders
- Jay Berger – Safer Kids, Safer Schools
- Kathleen Guy – Safer Kids, Safer Schools
Members
- Robin Smilie – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan
- Torey Caviston – Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
- Steve Wade – Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
- Jamie Gallagher – 4 The Win Partners
- Mindy Gallagher – Community Member
- Jill Sill – Norte
- Sarah Payette – Generations Ahead
- Callie Barr – Callie Bar for Congress
- Bailey Nuss – United Way of Northwest Michigan
- Barb Larue – MDHHS
- Pam Singer – Community Member
- Devon Knechtel – Pine Rest
- Abbey Kaufman – Norte
- Stephanie Criteser
- Mary Mantei – Community Member
- Tricia Hoyt – Live Hesed
- Misti Warner – Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Carol Greilick – Northwest Education Services
- Laura Matchett – Northwestern Michigan College
- Marci Perthes – Northwest Education Services
- Marshall Collins – Northwest Education Services
- Laurie Loncar – Community Member
- Annelle Kaspor – Community Member
- Jessie Houghton – Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Tracie MacPherson – Great Lakes Children’s Museum
- Kelly Hirko – Michigan State University
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT OUR WORK?
- Form trusted connections with the youth in your life and in your neighborhood.
- Learn about the available resources to support families and children.
- Volunteer at a youth-serving organization or program.
- Share social media campaign messages on your own pages.
