Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the Safer Ohio School Tip Line has been upgraded to make it easier for Ohioans to report school safety concerns.
The free safety resource, at 1-844-SAFEROH, is available to all Ohio schools, accepts tips via text and call, but now also accepts tips through a new smartphone app, available on iOS and Android devices, and an online web form that has pre-populated prompts for users.
October is Ohio’s second annual Ohio School Safety Month.
“Not everyone wants to make a phone call or send a text – some are more likely to report concerns by sending a message through an app or website,” DeWine said. “We’re making these upgrades so that it’s as simple as possible for all Ohioans to quickly and anonymously report any potential school safety threats in a manner that makes them comfortable.”
All tips can remain anonymous and can be made 24 hours a day by students and adults. The tips are shared with school officials and law enforcement.
The tip line will be staffed by crisis response professionals who are trained to help individuals contemplating self-harm.
“Intelligence analysts previously manned the tip line, but we felt that it was important to staff the call center with individuals experienced in helping those with immediate mental health needs,” Emily Torok, Ohio School Safety Center executive director, said. “Now, instead of referring those who need urgent help to other sources of support, crisis response professionals with the Safer Ohio School Tip Line can immediately provide intervention support and notify first responders to conduct a wellness check.”
