Let's Get R.E.A.L

The Foundation for Safer Schools began three years ago with a heartfelt mission: to restore the joy, wonder, and safety that every child deserves in their learning environment. We recognized that too many children were walking into schools burdened by fear rather than filled with excitement for the day ahead. We knew something had to change.

What started as a commitment to create safe schools has evolved into something bigger. As the opioid crisis began devastating Idaho communities with overdose deaths increasing 978% since 2019, we realized that true school safety means more than secure buildings. It means protecting students from every threat they face, including the one that follows them home.

That's why the Foundation for Safer Schools now delivers two powerful programs under one mission:

Operation Restore Childhood Joy — Our comprehensive school safety initiative providing threat assessments, emergency preparedness training, and crisis response protocols that keep students physically safe.

R.E.A.L. Futures — Our opioid prevention and awareness program teaching students the skills they need to protect themselves and their peers through the R.E.A.L. decision-making framework: Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave.

In our early days, we quickly recognized the urgent need for schools to access funding, education, and resources. We evolved our approach to better support our mission through grants, safety assessments, and impactful collaborations. We built partnerships with organizations like 208 Recovery North, See Tell Now!, and Panacea NW Region bringing together dedicated supporters who share our vision of safe, joyful learning environments.

Today, our focus remains unwavering: to empower schools with the tools, training, and support they need through our three core pillars education, awareness, and preparedness. We work alongside parents, educators, law enforcement, recovery professionals, community leaders, businesses, and corporate sponsors who believe that when children feel safe, they can focus on what matters most: learning, growing, and experiencing the pure joy of childhood.

Through Operation Restore Childhood Joy and R.E.A.L. Futures, we're not just making schools safer we're giving students the confidence and skills to thrive. Because every child deserves to walk into school excited about the possibilities ahead, not worried about what might happen.

Together, we're creating a future where childhood joy is protected, celebrated, and restored

one student, one school, one community at a time.

At the Foundation for Safer Schools, we believe that restoring childhood joy starts with proactive planning, comprehensive education, and meaningful collaboration. Safety isn't just about protocols it's about creating environments where children can focus on learning, growing, and experiencing the wonder of childhood without fear.

We don't duplicate existing resources we ACTIVATE them

By partnering with state-certified organizations, we connect schools with powerful programs many don't even know exist

• 208 Recovery North — Peer recovery specialists bringing lived experience to prevention education

• See Tell Now! — Idaho's confidential reporting system empowering students to speak up

• Panacea NW Region — Idaho School Boards Association partner delivering professional training

Through professional training delivered in-person and via ongoing online learning platforms, we provide schools with multi-layered safety training from threat recognition and emergency response to overdose prevention and recovery pathways all designed for lasting, sustainable impact.

Our approach is built on three beliefs

1. Students are capable. When given real tools, young people make good decisions and help their peers do the same.
2. Prevention works. Investing in education and awareness before crisis strikes saves lives and resources.
3. Community matters. Schools, families, law enforcement, and recovery professionals working together create protection no single group can provide alone.

One unified program. Restoring our communities, families, and schools.