Coleen Heim Consulting Services

Coleen A. Heim, Consultant
208 Stonehedge Road, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
814.696.3265
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Coleen A. Heim is an independent consultant offering consultation, training, and technical assistance to schools, agencies, and communities. She has a Master’s Degree in Health Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections from the Pennsylvania State University. From 1997 to the present, Coleen has provided technical assistance and training on the development of safe schools and emergency response plans, including threat assessment training for school personnel, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. She has over 30 years of experience in developing and implementing comprehensive drug and violence prevention programs throughout the Commonwealth. To date, Coleen has provided direct training/consultation to over ninety-six schools, conducted fifty-one safe schools assessments, and worked with twenty-one school districts on the development of comprehensive safe schools and emergency response plans. While employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, she was one of the staff that developed and provided training in the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program model. Coleen has provided training to public, nonpublic, and private schools on the development and implementation of bullying prevention programs. She attended the national certification training for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. In addition, Coleen is the Director of the Healthy Blair County Coalition and is responsible for overseeing the community health needs assessment in cooperation with the three local hospitals and other community, agency, and business leaders. She also facilitates strategic planning sessions for a variety of organizations in Central Pennsylvania.

Safe School Assessment

The purpose of the safe schools assessment is to (1) provide school personnel with a review of existing school safety conditions within the district as well as individual buildings; (2) provide baseline data which can be used to write safe schools and emergency planning grants; and (3) assist the district in developing short and long term goals for a comprehensive safe schools plan. As part of the assessment, there will be an on-site visit to each school building; a review of policies/procedures related to safe schools and emergency response, as well as staff and student handbooks; survey input from school staff; and discussions with administrators, selected staff, students, parents, and emergency responders. This provides a review of the following ten areas: Environmental Design (Physical Aspects of the Building); Supervision, Surveillance, and Security; School Safety Reporting and Crime Tracking; Staff Training; Emergency Response Plans; Discipline and Behavior-Related Policies; Monitoring At-Risk Students & Threat Assessment; Interagency and Community Collaboration; Programs and Curriculum (bullying; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; suicide; etc.) and School Climate. A written report will be submitted which highlights recommendations as well as acknowledges efforts already taken by the district and/or individual buildings.

Fee:

Provided Upon Request Based on the Number of School Buildings

Threat Assessment Training

The three-hour training on the threat assessment process and procedures for schools is based on the research and guidelines recommended to schools districts by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Education. Topics would include the importance of developing appropriate policies and procedures for carrying out threat assessment inquiries; the role of law enforcement; legal ramifications for schools; identifying students of concern; gathering and analyzing information; and strategies for managing the student. This training is designed for administrators, law enforcement, mental health professionals, school counselors/psychologists, and other school staff. Sample procedures and forms will be provided.

Fee:

Available Upon Request

Emergency Response Team Training

The goal is to establish and train emergency response teams in each building with a half or full-day Emergency Response Team Training for building level teams. The training provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of emergency response teams based on NIMS format; initial emergency response tips; incident command and working with emergency responders; preparing emergency kits and assessing equipment needs; planning for exercises/drills; communicating with families, etc.

Fee:

Provided Upon Request Based on a Half or Full Day Training

Development and/or Revisions to Emergency Response Plans

The purpose is to assist the school district to update existing emergency procedures by developing a K-12 Emergency Response Plan and shortened version manual/flipchart for staff. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways but most often by facilitating a one-day emergency response planning session with key school personnel and emergency responders. Sample procedures and forms will be provided.

Fee:

Provided Upon Request

Development of K-12 Safe Schools Plans

The consultant will facilitate the development of the school district’s safe school planning document (manual) which specifically outlines proactive measures, includes all plans, procedures, and forms, and considers short and long-term goals for improvement. This document is usually completed in conjunction with other services and training requested by the school district.

Fee:

Provided Upon Request

Leadership Role in Safe Schools and Emergency Response

This three-hour training is designed for central office and/or building administrators to understand their role in developing a comprehensive safe schools and emergency response plan. Topics include the following: new federal guidelines for developing emergency response plans; laws, regulations, and policies related to safe schools, student assistance programs, suicide prevention, and emergency planning; threat assessment process; and conducting drills/ exercises in schools.

Fee:

Provided Upon Request

Bullying Prevention

Bullying prevention training is designed based on the particular needs of the school district and/or building. The training can serve as a refresher for school staff or the bullying prevention committee for the purpose of reviewing the primary components of addressing bullying behaviors. This training can enhance the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program if implemented in the school or otherwise emphasize best practice guidelines if the Olweus Program is not being utilized by the district. Topics would include: understanding the difference between bullying and normal peer conflict; the impact of bullying; legal ramifications for schools; the development of a comprehensive program; cyberbullying; interventions strategies with students; and working with families.

Fee:

Provided Upon Request Based on the Design of the Training