Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last Thursday released the OK2SAY student safety program's 2017 Annual Report.
OK2SAY is an effective prevention-based reporting mechanism tool, logging in more than 14,000 tips from students across Michigan since September 2014.
"Since the programs' inception, I've been a firm believer in the power of OK2SAY," said Schuette. "OK2SAY has done more than save lives, its stopped violence and ensured that Michigan students have a safe place to learn and grow. We have come very far since this program started, but it is apparent that students and schools continue to need the program."
To date, OK2SAY presentations have been presented to 500k students across Michigan and has reached 230 new Michigan new schools.
OK2SAY received 4,605 tips in 2017 which is an increase of 72% compared to 2016. Tips were received in 30 categories, the top five are as follows:
- 1,205 tips on suicide threats
- 961 tips on bullying
- 456 tips related to "other"
- 390 tips on self-harm
- 311 tips on drugs
2017 was the most successful year yet and 2018 is already on track to beat the record numbers.
"OK2SAY continues to be a valuable, even life-saving, resource for our students and the Michigan State Police is proud to support this important program," stated Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police. "No information or tip is ever too small to report because you never know when your tip could be the one that prevents a tragedy."
Key features of OK2SAY include:
- Confidential Reporting: State law protects the confidentiality of the reporter's identity. The identity of the reporting party will not be disclosed to local law enforcement, school officials, or the person about whom a tip is offered, unless the reporter voluntarily chooses to disclose his or her identity. If the reporter is a minor, the parent or guardian must also consent.
- Comprehensive Technology: Anyone can confidentially submit tips 24/7 using any of the five tip methods detailed below. Multi-media attachments like photos, videos, and links to additional information are encouraged.
- Coordinated Intervention: Upon receipt of a tip, specially trained OK2SAY technicians at the Michigan State Police screen and forward tips to an appropriate responding agency including: local law enforcement, schools, local community mental health organizations, or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
- Accountability: Each responding organization is asked to complete an Outcome Report detailing the nature of the tip, how the tip was handled, and whether the tip situation was resolved or requires ongoing attention. This provides local entities an opportunity to illustrate that student safety threats are tracked and taken seriously. The 2015 Annual Report details the types and numbers of tips handled throughout the year.
OK2SAY encourages confidential tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, and schools. Tips can be submitted through the following ways:
- Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, 855-565-2729
- Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
- Email: ok2say@mi.gov
- Web: www.ok2say.com
- OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download in app stores for iPhone and Android.
Published: Mon, Jun 25, 2018
