DPS Safety Scoop

When middle or high school-aged youth enter a Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention facility, their education is prioritized. In this episode, educational programs staff discuss how they navigate various learning needs, how they keep youth motivated during the school year, graduations and how they leverage community partnerships to assist youth with their post-graduation goals.

Guests include, Casey Corey, Director of Education Services; James Futrell, Director of Accountability; and Jennifer Cox, Student Transition Coordinator.

JJDP is committed to reaching every student where they are at, making sure they maximize their potential.

The North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention was established in 2023. The office supports a public health approach to the reduction of violence and firearm misuse in NC and works in partnership with the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services and the 25-member Community Violence Advisory Board. In this episode, OVP Director Siarra Scott reviews the office's strategic and implementation plans and provides updates on where the work stands in 2026.

Additional Resources:

• OVP Webpage
• OVP Implementation Plan

• OVP Core Competencies

The National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program has successfully built relationships across the globe for more than 30 years. North Carolina entered the program in 1996, when it was partnered with Moldova. Over the years, more partnerships were formed, and North Carolina became one of the few states with more than two partners through the program. This episode's guest, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Sterling, joins the Safety Scoop to discuss this history of the program in North Carolina and how the Guard's involvement has built mutually beneficial relationships with Moldova, The Republic of Botswana, Malawi and Zambia. It hasn't always been easy, but LTC Sterling is optimistic and believes this program is shaping a future of improved ideas, collaboration and security for generations to come.

Gov. Josh Stein appointed Jeffrey Smythe, as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety effective January 1, 2026. In this episode, Secretary Smythe shares what the first seven months on the job have been like. Discussion topics range from leadership goals, crime prevention, building trust and overcoming challenges.

The Cybersecurity Response Force was established in Raleigh, NC, as a response to ongoing threats and actions taken in the cyber or information domain. In this episode, featured guest LTC Seth Barun shares how this security force supports state, local, tribal and territorial agencies.

Additional Resources:

- Cyber Security Response Force Homepage

- 2024 Operation Tobacco Road [video]

Join host Kirsten Barber for a revamped episode from the Safety Scoop archive. This month we are revisiting the Helping Enhance Autism Response Training episode after NCDPS hosted one of it's largest HEART events at the end of April 2026. Before the replay, you'll hear from NCDPS Secretary Jeffrey Smythe, speaker Dennis Debbaut and event attendees on why this type of training is not only important, but a vital part of first response training for those serving their communities.

Crime Victim's Rights Week is observed every year in April. It's a time to honor survivors while raising awareness of the needs of victims. One resource for victims of crime in our state is the Office of Victim Compensation Services. During this episode, outreach specialist Jackie Lamptey provides an overview of the role of VCS and available resources that help victims of violent crime and their families.

Learn more about the Office of Victim Compensation Services by visiting ncdps.gov/4victims or by calling 800-826-6200.

Anything can be poisonous when used in the wrong way, in the wrong amount or by the wrong person. The challenge is that everyday items like lotions, bug spray, over-the-counter medicines and more can pose a threat, not just householdcleaners. In this episode, NCEM Hazardous Materials Coordinator Stefan Coutoulakis shares information on how to keep your home safe, how to properly dispose of chemicals and how teams across the state are keeping communities safe from hazardous materials.

Known as "the eyes and ears for emergency response teams," the 24-Hour Watch is an information and communication sharing hub for incident information and intelligence data from federal, state and local partners. In this episode, Amanda Winans shares what it's like working for the 24-Hour Watch day to day and what it takes to be a watch analyst.

To kick off the new year on the Safety Scoop, host Kirsten Barber has a discussion with Responder Assistance Initiative psychologist Nicolas Sirianni around mental health in the first responder field. While you listen, you’ll learn simple exercises for meditation and regulation as well as encouraging words on how to not only check in on others, but yourself (whether or not you are a first responder).

Mindfulness Practices:

- Body Scan Meditation (11:36)

- 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique (25:56)

- Distraction Grounding (28:35)

- Box Breathing (31:11)

- Belly Breathing (31:54)

- Bilateral Stimulation (33:17)

If you are a first responder or NC Department of Public Safety employee that needs to connect with the Responder Assistance Initiative, call their resource/request line at 866-731-6901 and leave a detailed message. Someone will return your call. This is not a crisis line.