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OK2SAY Observes 10th Anniversary
Michigan School Safety Program Received Over 56,000 Tips Since Inception
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2024
LANSING, MICH. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police (MSP), today highlighted the first 10 years of OK2SAY, Michigan’s student safety program that allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees and schools.
“School should be a place where students feel empowered to achieve their full potential in a safe environment,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist. “Over ten years, the OK2SAY program has been an invaluable resource for Michigan students to speak up and report potential threats to their safety or the safety of others. It is safe, confidential, staffed by trained professionals 24/7, and students can submit tips via phone call, text, email, website, or mobile app. We are proud of how OK2SAY has helped encourage a culture of safety to ensure every Michigan student can focus on what matters. Let’s keep working together to protect students, educators, and schools.”
To encourage use of the program, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed Sept. 15 - 21 as OK2SAY Student Safety Program Week in Michigan.
Since its launch in September 2014, OK2SAY has received over 56,000 tips identifying students in crisis and helping to prevent school violence. The 2023 OK2SAY Annual Report shows the program received the most incident reports last year since its inception in 2014. The top five cumulative tip categories have been suicide threats, bullying, drugs, other (anxiety, depression, harassment), and planned school attacks.
“Early intervention is crucial to reducing violence and saving lives,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “We are immensely proud of the positive impact OK2SAY has made during the last decade. We are confident that through the use of this tool, school violence has been prevented, and resources have been provided to students encountering mental health issues, bullying and substance misuse.”
Today’s commemoration was held at Holt Junior High School led by Dr. David G. Hornak, superintendent of Holt Public Schools, where students attended an OK2SAY safety presentation and signed a banner pledging to do their part to help keep themselves and fellow students protected.
“At Holt Public, we are committed to providing our students, staff and teachers with a safe and comfortable learning environment,” said Hornak. “The OK2SAY program is among the tools in our toolbox that allows everyone to be safe and it shows what we know to be true every day: that not all heroes wear capes and tights.”
OK2SAY is available 24/7, and tips can be submitted in the following ways:
Trained technicians receive, analyze and disseminate tip information to school officials, community mental health service programs and/or law enforcement officials.
OK2SAY is housed in the Office of School Safety, which is part of the MSP Grants and Community Services Division. The OSS is committed to delivering quality services to schools that promote safe and secure learning environments to reduce threats, build trust and improve the quality of life for K-12 students.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Ms. Mary Gager Drew, OK2SAY Program Administrator, MSP Grants and Community Services Division, 517-388-6149
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