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Tempe outlines Sandy Hook Promise training and SAVE clubs in local schools
Summary
City staff described Tempe’s partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, training for youth specialists, SAVE Promise Clubs in schools, and exploration of the program’s anonymous tip system for Arizona.
Maria (social services coordinator, Community Health and Human Services) and Kristen Charlo (Care 7 manager) briefed the council on Tempe’s partnership with the national nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise and on related school‑based programming.
Maria said Tempe’s Care 7 Youth Specialists deliver Sandy Hook Promise materials and lead SAVE Promise Clubs that are youth‑led efforts at schools to prevent violence and encourage help‑seeking. "The Youth Specialists program provides immediate access to much needed services for students and their families," she said, describing full‑time and temporary staffing levels across Tempe Union High School District and Tempe Elementary School District sites. The presentation said the city has 12 youth specialists in high schools (seven fully funded positions and five temporary positions working full time) and six temporary positions in the elementary district.
Staff described two core Sandy Hook Promise programs used in Tempe: Start With Hello, a program addressing social isolation, and Say Something, which trains students to recognize warning signs and report concerns to trusted adults. Maria said SAVE Promise Clubs currently operate at all six Tempe Union high schools, at three middle schools in the Tempe Elementary district and in two K–5 Tempe Pre sites. The city hosted a national leadership training in February 2024 with about 100 students from the Tempe districts.
The presentation noted Sandy Hook Promise's national metrics and the group's claim of large‑scale participation: materials cited nationwide participation numbers, the number of SAVE clubs, anonymous tips triaged by the organization and cases described as prevented or saved. Maria said Tempe is exploring implementation of Sandy Hook Promise’s anonymous reporting system ("Say Something"/"Save Something") and that the city is the first in Arizona to implement parts of the program. "We are incredibly proud of the work that is being done," she said.
Councilmembers praised the program and said Tempe’s efforts have drawn attention from other cities and the governor’s office. Councilmember Hodge said Tempe is "the second in the country" to do a particular element of the program; staff characterized the local rollout as a model for other jurisdictions and said they are researching funding to continue and expand the work.
No formal council vote was taken; staff requested continued support for expansion and further research on the anonymous reporting system, and councilmembers expressed support.
