Sheriff Toulon's Successful Collaboration with Sandy Hook Promise

(Yaphank, NY) Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. announced that the Sheriff’s Office has trained nearly 8000 students in Sandy Hook Promise’s Say Something program since September 2018, following through on his promise to protect schools and communities from violence and to improve the well-being of children. In fact, the Sheriff’s involvement in the initiative has been so successful that he was invited to speak at the Sandy Hook Promises’ gala event in Washington, DC tonight, June 19th, to talk about the Office’s school-outreach model.

Seven of the county’s deputy sheriffs and correction officers are trained in the Say Something curriculum, which teaches children and adults about the observable signs that are often present in someone that might hurt themselves or others, and teaches them how to take appropriate action to get help for the at-risk individual before a tragedy occurs. Sheriff Toulon often accompanies his staff into classrooms and talks with kids directly about being “empowered upstanders” and not to simply look the other way when another child is being bullied or acting disruptive.

“We know school violence is preventable when we teach youth and adults to ‘know the signs’ of violence and suicide and get help to stop a tragedy before it can happen,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, and father of Daniel who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. “Sheriff Toulon's leadership in bringing these proven prevention programs to Suffolk schools will help empower youth to be 'upstanders' in keeping their schools and communities safe. We are grateful for his partnership in this important work.”

Sheriff Toulon believes the program will eventually reduce the numbers of adolescents entering the justice system and will lead to better support systems for at-risk youth. “Children who show high anxiety, aggression, and disruptiveness may have problems going on at home or mental health needs. These issues can sometimes manifest in escalating behavioral issues and violence. We can stop this trajectory through appropriate early intervention, and that’s my mission. I want to get to these kids before they get to me,” said Sheriff Toulon.

In September 2019, the Sheriff’s Office will start presenting the Sandy Hook Promise Start With Hello program to all schools K-12 in Suffolk County. This program teaches children, teens and young adults how to be more socially inclusive and connected to one another. Start With Hello is designed to bring individuals and communities together to foster looking out for and caring for one another. The program asks students, educators, parents and other community leaders who interact with children to take a simple, yet incredibly powerful, action at lunch – making sure that no one eats alone.

If you are interested in learning more about the Sandy Hook Promise programs or having any programs presented in your school, please visit www.SuffolkSheriff.com to request a presentation.