Pennsylvania Act 44 Criteria requires schools to appoint a School Safety and Security Coordinator, provide mandatory school safety and security training for employees, and establish standards for school police, school resource officers, and school security guards. LARGO Consulting Services has been working with PA schools to meet Act 44 requirements since 2018 as set forth by Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency School Safety and Security Committee.

Under the Pennsylvania Act 44 Criteria, schools that receive funding must demonstrate compliance with several key assessment criteria items.

Physical Security Assessment

LARGO will conduct a physical security and safety assessment during the school year while school is in session. The assessment will meet the criteria as outlined by School Safety and Security Committee as of February 2021.

Situational Awareness

Our team works directly with school administrators, law enforcement, and community stakeholders to develop an All-Hazards School Safety Plan that includes reviewing existing disaster response and emergency preparedness, safety, or emergency operations plans. LARGO’s founder has spent over 25 years developing emergency response plans for colleges, universities, and schools. ASIS International has also recognized him as a School Safety and Security SC Emeritus.

Trauma-Informed Educational Awareness

LARGO will meet with the school administrators to review the six key principles fundamental to a trauma-informed approach identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA.)  

• • • Safety
    • Trustworthiness and Transparency
    • Peer Support
    • Collaboration and Mutuality
    • Empowerment, Voice, and Choice
    • Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

Behavioral Health Awareness

Our team will meet administrators, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, social workers, nonprofessional staff, parents, students, and community liaison members to review Behavioral Health Awareness initiatives.

Suicide Prevention/Awareness

Meet with administrators, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and nonprofessional staff to review suicide prevention awareness programs.

Bullying Prevention and Awareness

Assess the Bullying Prevention and Awareness Training program required to occur every five years. Additionally, LARGO will review the implementation and tracking of the Safe2Say Program that “teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” before it’s too late.”

Substance Use Awareness

LARGO will review the school’s Substance Use Awareness Training program for the school staff and the Act 55 requirement that public school students in grades 6-12 receive instruction regarding the prevention of opioid abuse.

Emergency Training Drills

LARGO Consulting Services provides safety and security training programs customized to each school’s specific requirements. As an ASIS School Safety and Security SC Emeritus, founder Bernard Gollotti, CPP, has spent over a quarter of a century working with colleges, universities, and schools in developing and implementing emergency response training programs.

SOURCE: PCCD School Safety and Security Assessment Criteria

Copyright 2022

Simplify Your Pennsylvania Act 44 Criteria requirement process with LARGO Consulting Services, LLC, named an Approved School Safety and Security Assessment Provider in February 2019. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Act 44 compliance.

For more information about LARGO Secure Schools, don’t hesitate to get in touch with LARGO Consulting Services, LLC online or call 833-LARGOCS. We also invite you to connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.