Safer Ohio School Tip Line

Introduction

The Safer Ohio School Tip Line is a free safety resource available to all Ohio schools. The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts tips via call, text, webform, and mobile app 24 hours-a-day. Anyone can download the Safer Ohio School Tip Line app or use the webform.

This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety — whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.

Things to report to the tip line include (but are not limited to):

• Bullying incidents;
• Withdrawn student behaviors;
• Verbal or written threats observed toward students, faculty or schools;
• Hazing;
• Weapon/suspicious devices on or near school grounds;
• Gang-related activities;
• Unusual/suspicious behavior of students or staff;
• Self-harm or suicidal sentiments; and
• Any other school safety-related concerns.

Tip line technicians may ask for additional information, but callers can remain anonymous or leave contact information for later follow-up. The OSSC partners with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to follow up with affected schools and law enforcement agencies to make sure tips are investigated, action is taken, and resources and supports are provided when necessary.

Professional Conduct

If you believe an educator has broken a law, you also should contact your local law enforcement agency, or if the concern involves child abuse or neglect, contact your local children services agency.

If the individual has an Ohio educator license and may have violated the Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators, you can submit a professional conduct complaint. Families should use the Citizen Reporting Form, which explains the process.

Go to more information on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Adoption and Data Reporting Requirements

HB 123, the Safety and Violence Education Students (SAVE Students) Act, requires each school district and other public school to register with the Safer Ohio School Tip Line or enter into an agreement with another anonymous reporting program.

How to Implement the Safer Ohio School Tip Line in Your School or District

Benefits of the Safer Ohio School Tip Line

Using a tip line enables schools to enhance safety programs through:

• Violence prevention;
• Proactive intervention for safety concerns;
• Situational awareness;
• Trust building; and
• Connecting students and parents to support.

What Parents Need to Know

• Information submitted to the tip line can be anonymous.
• The tip line accepts calls, texts, webform, and app submissions 24 hours a day.
• The tip line does not cost your school anything to utilize.
• Calls or texts are answered by tip line technicians. If action is needed, the technician immediately forwards information to local school officials, law enforcement agencies and the OSSC for action and follow-up, as needed.
• Contact your school or district directly about policies they have regarding notification to parents about tips received.
• Information submitted to tip lines is not a public record under Ohio law.

Crisis Resources

Do you need help now? Text HOME to 741 741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor within 5 minutes.

• Any person may need help in coping with a stressful situation. Reach out by text to communicate with someone trained to listen and respond in a method that is private, secure and confidential.
• The Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential service available 24/7 via text on mobile devices.

Ohioans experiencing suicidal crisis, mental health or addiction-related distress can call 988, an easy-to-remember three-digit number to access free, 24/7, confidential support for themselves or loved ones.

• The Lifeline provides live crisis phone services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages for people who call 988. The 988 dialing code will also be available nationwide for text or chat (English only).

Go to Suicide Hotlines and Support Lines on our Suicide Prevention page.