Implementing ALICE Training at Your School

Everything You Need to Know About Implementing ALICE Training® at Your School

As the Director of Training for ALICE Training®, I love empowering individuals to take charge of their own safety. As you embark on rolling out your ALICE program and continuing its development, we’ll explore key strategies to enhance your training and highlight areas to be mindful of.

Becoming an ALICE Certified Instructor (ACI) is a thrilling achievement, but implementing ALICE Training® takes time—it won’t happen overnight. For those starting from scratch, it’s often compared to “turning the Titanic around.” However, our step-by-step process makes it manageable and achievable. This blog is written to help individuals navigate this journey, helping them understand what it looks like to implement ALICE Training® at their schools.

We’ll get started with the chart below. It serves as a helpful visual to guide you through the rollout process, providing a clear path forward.

Implementing ALICE Training®: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Form the Team

When forming your team, it’s crucial to involve key stakeholders. Identify who they are and ensure they stay informed throughout the introduction and roll-out process. Stakeholders may include K-12 officials such as superintendents, principals, school board members, social workers, psychiatrists, and special needs staff.

Key tasks to accomplish in Step #1 include:

Stakeholder Meeting
This step ensures that all public safety organizations—law enforcement, fire, EMS, etc.—are aligned and support the program. Maintain ongoing communication with public safety stakeholders through regular meetings or established channels. This continuous dialogue enables consistent evaluation and improvement of the program.

Organizational Information Campaign
After securing public safety stakeholder buy-in, launch an information campaign targeting all internal and external stakeholders. The campaign should clearly communicate the program’s purpose, rollout methodology, and commitment to trauma-informed training principles. While participation is strongly encouraged, an opt-out option should be provided if needed.

Public safety and school officials should collaborate on a communication plan for both written materials and live discussions at informational meetings. Any training communication related to staff and student safety must incorporate public safety input.

Step 2: Conduct a Risk Assessment

Navigate360 offers Preparation & Response solutions, including Risk Assessments and Security Audits, that enhance your safety program by ensuring industry best practices and compliance with Federal, State, and Local mandates. Learn more about Navigate360 Risk Assessments here.

Step 3: Implementation Preparation

This step involves preparing user presentations for lectures, covering key topics from the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) such as reunification locations/processes, rally points for each building, and mental health resources. Review these topics to ensure they are included in your presentation or lecture materials.

Step 4: Conduct Training

eLearning is an efficient and effective way to begin the training process in any organization.

In a K-12 setting, once all staff have completed the eLearning module, it’s essential to conduct an informational campaign before any drills or scenarios begin. This communication should inform parents/guardians about the training plan, including dates and times, and cover age-appropriate training topics. During parent meetings, be prepared to address any tough questions from the community with well-considered responses.

After the informational campaign, certified trainers can initiate drills or scenarios. To ensure the program’s success, establish regular review meetings to adjust and improve the training experience as needed.

Ongoing Support from ALICE Training®—Beyond Implementation

At ALICE, we believe in providing continuous support for our ALICE Certified Instructors (ACIs). Not only do we offer comprehensive training, but we also provide an extensive resource portal and personalized assistance to guide you every step of the way.

ACI Portal with Helpful Resources
We don’t just train ACIs and then leave them on their own. Our team supports ACIs throughout their journeys, offering a wealth of resources through the ACI portal, along with access to our experienced trainers who are available to answer any questions.

Monthly “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) Sessions
We also host monthly live AMA sessions on the first Thursday of each month. These provide a chance for ACIs to ask questions and dive deeper into topics that matter most to them.

Personalized Trainer Support
Our national trainers are always available to offer additional support. ACIs are provided with our content information and encouraged to reach out to us with any questions they have. We are committed to helping our ACIs succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Many ACIs Do We Recommend Per District/School?
We recommend gradually building an ACI team. Hosting training sessions is a great way to expand your team and ensure comprehensive coverage across your district or school.

How Can We Create Buy-In for the ALICE Program?
ALICE is the first and most trusted options-based program, backed by over 20+ years of experience, research, and proven success. Use this credibility to gain support from your organization.

How Do We Get the Community and Local Law Enforcement Onboard?
ACIs receive a program timeline that includes research and studies. While some are dated, there are no other major studies on Violent Critical Incidents. Use this information to engage with your community and local law enforcement, highlighting the program’s strong foundation in research and experience.

What’s the Difference Between a Scenario, Drill, and Demonstration?
Each training method has a distinct purpose. Scenarios, drills, and demonstrations are valuable tools to prepare staff and students, but each offers unique benefits. Use them strategically for well-rounded training.

How Can We Keep ALICE Top of Mind in Our Schools/Districts?
ALICE uses the best options-based training with a trauma-informed, age-appropriate approach. Keep ALICE top of mind by regularly refreshing the information, conducting drills, and maintaining open communication.

What Should ACIs Focus on at the Beginning of the School Year?
At the start of the school year, ACIs should keep everyone informed and up to date. Safety is critical—remember, you’re not scaring people; you’re empowering them. Review protocols, schedule drills, and ensure all staff are trained.

Where Can I Find Additional Support?
Our team is always here to help. ACIs have our contact information and should reach out whenever support is needed.

Your Partner in Safety

ACIs, please know myself and our ALICE team want to thank you for joining us in preparing your organization for the unimaginable. Know you’re not alone. Our staff is ALWAYS ready and willing to assist you.

Stay Safe,

George

Ensure Your Schools Are Ready to Act with ALICE

By investing in proactive safety measures, we empower our educators, students, and staff to respond effectively to potential threats, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience within our educational communities. It’s not enough to simply react to incidents as they occur; we must take proactive steps to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Preparation and response training like Navigate360 ALICE Active Shooter Response Training should be a top priority in every district. Equipping stakeholders with the necessary tools and knowledge to mitigate potential harm and create safer learning environments for all is vital. Now is the time to ensure your school district is ready to act.