Welcome to the Safe Schools Project
PROMOTING SAFER AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS
Who We Are
The mission of the Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County is to partner with youth, schools, and school districts to create and maintain safe, inclusive, and affirming schools for all LGBTQIA2S+ students, staff, and allies.
The Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County (SSP) works in collaboration with local schools and local and state-wide community organizations to provide support, professional development and learning, and resources for school administrators, teachers, counselors and support staff to ensure LGBTQIA2S+ youth feel safe at school and their rights are respected.
Objectives include raising awareness of the laws and education codes that protect LGBTQIA2S+ students.
What We Do
Curriculum Guides
Curriculum guides with standards-aligned lesson plans for teaching middle and high school FAIR Act compliant LGBTQ+ history and high school California Healthy Youth Act compliant comprehensive sexual health education.
Professional Development
Professional development and learning opportunities for teachers, administrators, school staff, and other organizations that work with youth. In person, virtual, short and full-day trainings available. Customizable for your school or organization.
Conferences
Free annual conferences with workshops and activities for middle and high school students, parents, school staff, and adult allies, and elementary school students and their families. Every fall at the Rainbow Conference.
Response Team
We work directly with schools and districts to advocate on behalf of LGBTQIA2S+ students and LGBTQIA2S+ school staff to ensure their school campus is safe and supportive and free of bullying or harassment.
Latest Articles
Classroom Rainbow Flags
K-12 California LGBTQ+ Education Protection Information for Parents, Students, and Educators
LGBTQ+ Students in California are Always Safe and Supported in Our Schools (Jan. 2025)
Partners
The Safe Schools Project works in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education's School Mental Health Partnership and receives funding from the County of Santa Cruz's Health Services Agency and the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).
