RALEIGH — Officials from the state departments of Justice, Health and Human Services and Public Safety will train law enforcement agencies, first responders, mental health providers, schools and other stakeholders in southeastern North Carolina on ways to prevent and respond to school violence. The day-long symposium will take place Jan. 23 in Wilmington.
Chief District Court Judge J.H. Corpening II – a member of the New Hanover and Pender County Safer Schools Task Force – is hosting the “School Violence Prevention and Response Symposium” from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday at the New Hanover County Government Center, located at 230 Government Center Drive in Wilmington. Law enforcement, school personnel and mental health providers from New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick and Onslow counties have been invited to attend the training. Stakeholders will spend the morning discussing proactive approaches to preventing violence in schools, such as effective ways to address bullying and ways to identify and respond to mental health needs. As the day progresses, the focus will shift from prevention to developing a plan for a unified rapid response to the challenging but rare event of an active shooter on campus. These sessions will focus on increasing collaboration and clarifying roles among stakeholders.
