Safe+Sound Iowa
Register for our Workshop
The Governor's School Safety Bureau is offering a full day "Train the Trainer" workshop, which introduces participants to the history, concepts and functionality of the Standard Response Protocol and Reunification Method and how to train the programs internally. Educators, administrators, school and district safety teams, campus supervisors, law enforcement, fire/EMS, emergency managers, and victim advocates are all welcome to attend. Register now: Train the Trainer Workshop Registration
Congratulations to the Missing Children's Day Poster Contest winner
Congratulations to Urbandale Webster Elementary 5th grade student Ethan C. for being named 2nd runner up in the nationwide Missing Children's Day Poster Contest!
After winning the statewide Missing Children's Day Poster Contest earlier this year, GSSB, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety honored Ethan with a class pizza party and all-school assembly, where he got to check out the Iowa State Patrol's Tactical Team Bearcat vehicle, take a photo with Trooper Dog, and meet Matt Pickles, the DPS therapy K9. Assistant Director of our DCI Field Operations Bureau, Donald Schnitker, presented the award to Ethan, along with a full-size poster of his winning art.
The contest helps raise awareness among teachers, parents/guardians, and children and engage them in discussions about safety. We appreciate all those who made submissions for this year's contest.
Ethan’s poster was selected for its powerful imagery and message, which perfectly embodied this year’s theme: “Bringing Our Missing Children Home.” Well done, Ethan!
The Governor’s School Safety Bureau was established in June 2022 to support Iowa’s 327 public school districts and 183 non-public and independent schools in preventing school violence. The Bureau is funded through 2025 by ARPA funds and has seven full-time employees and one supervisor. GSSB is tasked with helping Iowa law enforcement agencies and school districts better identify and respond to security threats at local schools through the following objectives:
- Provide an emergency radio to every school in Iowa
- Provide active shooter training to schools and places of worship
- Provide active shooter training to Iowa law enforcement and first responders
In March 2023, GSSB launched a free, anonymous school threat reporting tool for all public and accredited non-public schools across the state called Safe+Sound Iowa . Students, school staff, parents, and community members can submit school safety concerns anonymously using the Safe+Sound Iowa mobile app, website or the toll-free tip line at 800.224.6018.
GSSB administers and monitors Safe+Sound Iowa, which shares information provided in these reports in real time with school administrators and law enforcement to address the issue and prevent acts of violence or self-harm.
By promoting proactive measures and community involvement, our school safety program helps schools create environments where students can learn, grow, and thrive without fear. Safe+Sound Iowa continues to gain momentum, teaching school communities how to spot warning signs of violence and when and how to get help.
"This public safety initiative is about what the State of Iowa is doing to act, not react, on the critical national issue of school safety," said Governor Reynolds. "We are working to ensure our schools and local law enforcement are prepared to both respond to and deter threats to the safety of students, teachers, and staff. Sensible actions today can prevent tragedy tomorrow."
See full press release:
Emergency Contact
If you need to reach the GSSB after normal business hours, please call 319.277.4761.
215 E 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319