2026 School Safety Training Forum

Virginia D.A.R.E. Awards

Nearly 90% of today's threats are communicated digitally; therefore, an accurate assessment of risk cannot be determined without assessing a threat maker’s digital behavioral baseline. This session brings today’s evolving digital safety challenges into focus, including threat related behavior, online harassment, swatting incidents, and AI‑driven misinformation. Participants will gain a clear view of emerging threats and how they are shaping the future of school safety in Virginia and nationwide – as well as practical tools for those striving to help students navigate these challenges.

Behind every notification is a heartbeat.  Behind every scroll is a search for connection-or a cry for help. As the digital landscape evolves, so must our framework for youth suicide prevention. For many educators and clinicians, social media is often viewed through a narrow lens of risk—cyberbullying, social comparison, screen time, and sleep deprivation. However, to truly support the modern student, we must adjust the aperture to capture a more comprehensive picture of the digital experience to find hope and safety in a digital world.

Anonymous threats and swatting incidents continue to escalate nationwide, leaving schools and communities grappling with uncertainty, fear, and operational disruption. Dr. Gombos and SA LeBlanc will provide firsthand insight into the complex dynamics behind these threats and the real-world challenges they create for educators and law enforcement. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of why swatting occurs, how anonymous threats are evaluated, and what coordinated strategies can strengthen prevention, communication, and response efforts. Through expert perspectives and practical guidance, this session aims to equip participants with clearer frameworks for decision-making and enhanced readiness for these increasingly sophisticated incidents.