In today’s episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sat down with Dr. Frank Straub, Senior Director of Violence Prevention Research and Programs at Safe and Sound Schools and Co-Director of the “Protect 2 Prevent” project for part one of a two-part series on proactive student wellbeing through early intervention to discuss the importance of:

• The inception and development of the “Protect 2 Prevent” program at Michigan State University, aimed at early intervention to prevent acts of violence.

• The multidisciplinary approach involving experts in the areas of psychiatry, criminology, health professionals, educators, and targeted violence experts.

• The importance of community and caregiver involvement in changing the life trajectory of high-risk adolescents towards positive and pro-social activities.

Guest Dr. Frank Straub is the Senior Director of Violence Prevention Research and Programs at Safe and Sound Schools and Co-Director of the “Protect 2 Prevent” project. He has an extensive background in law enforcement and violence prevention, serving as the founder and director of the National Policing Institute's Center for Targeted Violence Prevention and as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University. A licensed clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. in criminal justice, he's recognized for his work in youth violence prevention, improving police-community relations, and enhancing police response to mental health challenges.