The much talked about crisis "text line", or SafeUT as is will be called, will launch its first phase on January 20, 2016.
In 2015, the School Safety and Crisis Line (SB 175) sponsored by Sen. Daniel Thatcher and Rep. Steve Eliason passed in the Utah State Legislature and the The State of Utah Text Line Commission was formed. UNI was part of this Commission and proudly collaborated with multiple state entities to create the SafeUT Crisis & Tip Line Service for all students in the state. SafeUT is designed to provide confidential two-way communication with SafeUT crisis counselors or school staff through the SafeUT Mobile App, text number (coming soon) or Web.
The clinical crisis services offered by the SafeUT program are provided through UNI's licensed clinicians who work in the UNI CrisisLine offices. Students who call or start a crisis chat or text through the mobile app or web will connect directly to a UNI crisis counselor.
Students may also use the SafeUT phone app or website to send non-crisis tips to school officials regarding topics such as bullying, cyberbullying, gang activity, drug and alcohol activity, and more. All tips are completely anonymous.
SafeUT is designed to provide students with a safe and secure school environment and provide our school administration with the communication and management tools needed to help and manage on-campus situations. Students will receive training on how to use the SafeUT Crisis & Tip Line Services by their school administrators. The SafeUT Mobile App is available in the Apple and Google Play stores. (Search "SafeUT")
A press conference, sponsored by the Utah Attorney General's Office, will be held on January 20, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Clayton Middle School in SLC to unveil SafeUT, explain a bit about how it will work and offer information on school trainings. SafeUT is being rolled out in a measured fashion starting with three schools in the Salt Lake District and two schools in the Nebo School District.
This is a great accomplishment for the State of Utah. Congratulations to all involved, particularly to Barry Rose, Tori Yeates, Mike Trapletti and the UNI Crisis team who have worked tirelessly to help put this exciting new program together.