School Safety Conference 2026

Hosted in collaboration by the Delaware School Safety Center and the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware School Safety Conference brings together nationally recognized experts, educators, school leaders, law enforcement professionals, mental health providers, and safety practitioners for a full day of practical insight and strategic guidance focused on safer schools and stronger support systems for students.

This year's conference will focus on legally sound, research-based approaches to identifying concerning behaviors, preventing targeted violence, strengthening multidisciplinary response systems, and supporting the overall safety and well-being of school communities.

Sessions will provide attendees with actionable strategies and current best practices related to:

• Behavioral Threat Assessment
• Shool Law and Legal Considerations
• Violence Prevention
• Crisis Response and Recovery
• Crisis Communication
• Student Support Services
• Counter-Radicalization and Emerging Threats
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration

The conference will emphasize real-world application and collaboration across disciplines to enhance school safety efforts throughout Delaware and beyond.

Who Should Attend?

This conference is ideal for:

• School and District Administrators
• School Resource Officers
• School Counselors and Psychologists
• School Safety and Security Personnel
• Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams
• Educators and Student Support Staff
• Emergency Management and Law Enforcement Professionals
• Community and Mental Health Partners

Featured Speakers

Allizandra Herberhold

Seeking Safer Pathways, LLC

Allizandra Herberhold is a nationally recognized expert in targeted violence prevention, threat assessment, and digital behavior analysis. Her work focuses on identifying concerning online behaviors, understanding pathways to violence, and supporting multidisciplinary teams in prevention and intervention efforts. Her presentations provide attendees with practical tools for recognizing warning signs and enhancing proactive prevention strategies within schools and communities.

Molly Hudgens

School Counselor

Molly Hudgens is widely recognized for her courageous and compassionate intervention during a school crisis that prevented a potential tragedy. As an experienced school counselor and advocate for student mental health and behavioral intervention, she speaks nationally on relationship-building, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and the critical role trusted adults play in violence prevention efforts within schools.

Liam Goldrick

Donovan Group

Liam Goldrick is a nationally respected communications professional specializing in school crisis communications and strategic messaging. His work supports school districts in effectively communicating during emergencies, managing public information, and building trust with families and communities. His sessions will provide practical guidance for crisis communication planning, media relations, and responding to rapidly evolving incidents.

Dr. Amanda Nickerson

Director, Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention

Dr. Amanda Nickerson is an internationally recognized researcher and expert in bullying prevention, school psychology, and youth violence prevention. As Director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention, her work focuses on creating safer school climates, strengthening student support systems, and advancing evidence-based prevention strategies that improve both safety and student well-being.