Incident Reporting | News

Homer Community School Implements Web Based Incident Management and Prevention Platform

• By Leila Meyer
• 02/04/13

Homer Community School, a small rural school district in Nebraska, has launched a new Web-based incident management and prevention system intended to help reduce crime and other concerning behaviors.

The district is using the TIPS (Threat Assessment, Incident Management, and Prevention Services) system from Awareity. Individuals with concerns or information about problems can access TIPS through the school's Web site and report the information, anonymously or not, and TIPS automatically notifies personnel from the school. School officials can use TIPS to securely track and document prevention efforts and monitor potential situations.

According to the company, TIPS is intended to help identify and prevent problems such as bullying, cyber-bullying, weapons possession, drug or alcohol abuse, harassment or intimidation, vandalism, physical assaults, threats of violence, suicide risk, abuse, neglect, and other concerning behaviors.

"TIPS will help our school become more aware of student safety incidents and concerning behaviors within the community," said Leah Clark, school psychologist at Homer Community School, in a prepared statement. "When a report comes in through TIPS, administration can immediately investigate the incident and take the necessary steps towards intervention and proactive responding. This new reporting system will help to create a safer and more secure environment for all students and staff at Homer Community School."

TIPS enables the school to:

• Create customized reporting forms and surveys;
• Receive tips from students, parents, staff, and others;
• Notify appropriate team members immediately;
• Document information with legal due diligence;
• Search, investigate, and track issues through to resolution; and
• Ensure compliance with OCR, bullying laws, Clery Act, OSHA, and more.

Further information about TIPS can be found at tipsprevent.com.