317-232-2222
dhsschoolsafety@dhs.in.govSmith named director
Julie Q. Smith has been announced as the director of the Office of School Safety. A sergeant in the Columbus Police Department, she has overseen the School Resource Officer Division in Columbus, is a former school resource officer for Bartholomew County Schools and has been recognized for her proactive, evidence-based leadership. Read the press release about her selection.
Office of School Safety transition
As of July 1, 2025, the Office of School Safety was established within IDHS for the purpose of coordinating and administering school safety resources (Indiana Code 10-19-3.5). Duties previously handled by the Department of Education's school safety division are transitioning to this new office, including the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy.
About the Indiana Office of School Safety
The Office of School Safety is responsible for school safety specialist training and certifications, and it supports Hoosier schools' safety efforts in a variety of ways by establishing and maintaining guidelines on school facility security, emergency response protocols and school safety plans.
The office also works with safe school committees, the Secured School Safety Board, Indiana Department of Education, Institute for Criminal Justice and other state agencies to address school safety issues.
The office conducts school safety reviews and provides support to school corporations and school safety specialists throughout Indiana. It also helps schools establish mutual aid disaster assistance agreements and coordinates IDHS response and recovery efforts in the event of a manmade or natural disaster at a school.
The Office of School Safety was established in 2025 by Indiana Code 10-19-3.5.
Sections and Services
- Bullying
Bullying
Bullying can create an objectively hostile school environment for victims, seriously disrupting their learning and well-being. The Office of School Safety shares guidance and resources to help prevent bullying.
- Funding
Secured School Safety Grant
The Indiana Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) program was created in 2013 and uses a dedicated state fund to provide matching grants to schools to employ school resource officers, offer training, make equipment purchases and more in the interest of improving school safety and security.
Advances from the Common School Fund
A school corporation or charter school who has applied for and been awarded a matching grant from the Indiana Secured School Fund may apply for an advance from the Common School Fund.
Advances from the Common School Fund
Other Funding Opportunities
Schools may be eligible for other state and federal grant programs.
- Physical Building Security
Physical Building Security
Guidance from state and national agencies is critical to ensuring buildings are protected and individual classrooms have safeguards that can be implemented in the event of an emergency.
- School Safety Resource Hub
School Safety Hub
The Indiana School Safety Hub website represents an important component of the state’s strategy to streamline information and safety-related resources available to communities across the state. Indiana offers a multitude of resources, trainings and mental health services, but it can be daunting for someone in need to find things quickly and effectively. The website shares with students, educators and the general public many valuable resources that could help prevent violence in Hoosier schools.
- Training and Best Practices
Training
Education and training are key factors to how prepared Indiana is when protecting against and responding to threats on school grounds. For example, Indiana requires a trained school safety specialist for every school. The Office of School Safety and other state and national agencies offer many educational and training opportunities, including the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy.
Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy
Best Practices
Find established school safety best practices and resources.