On March 1 I will be leaving state service and will be assuming the job of Director of Psychological Health Services for the Washington National Guard. This is a new position developed after a series of studies and Congressional hearings focusing on the needs of the National Guard, and funded through the Department of Defense. I am excited by the challenges offered by this new role, as I will be able to bring my background in both program development and clinical mental health services to focus on the important task of helping those in the National Guard and their families.
In my 32+ years of working for the State of Washington, I have had the privilege of working with many dedicated, creative and persistent professionals who make the state a safer, more civil, more educated, and a more humane culture. I will undoubtedly want to connect with many of you relative to my new role, so don't be surprised if you hear from me. As I do not have e-mail or a telephone set up yet, you can contact me through my personal e-mail at apperson@comcast.net . My new office will be at Camp Murray, and I will likely be in Building 3 in the J9 unit.
The School Safety Center will be managed by Jim Ridgeway ( jim.ridgeway@k12.wa.us ), who will act as the interim director until June 30, at which time OSPI will determine the future of the Safety Center relative to the legislative actions that will occur in March and April. Please welcome Jim to his new roleâ"his background as a school principal should amply prepare him for dealing with the policy and technical issues impacting school safety and security programs.
For specific school safety issues, I suggest contacting the following Safety Center staff:
Jeff Soder ( jeff.soder@k12.wa.us ): Title IV Safe and Drug Free Schools; Weapons Report; Truancy Report; Consolidated Program Review; harassment, intimidation and bullying issues; suicide prevention project
Barbara Thurman ( barbara.thurman@k12.wa.us ): Emergency management and homeland security programs for schools; school incident command training; school emergency response drills and exercises
