PREPARE 2026: School Safety — A Layered Approach
Registration information
Registration for PREPARE 2026 will close on Monday, July 6, 2026.
The conference is limited to 500 people. Once registration reaches its limit, all additional requests will be placed on a waitlist.
- Cost: Free
- Date and time: July 22nd, 2026 8:00 am to July 23rd, 2026 4:00 pm
- Address:
Turf Valley Resort
2700 Turf Valley Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042
United States
About the conference
This year's PREPARE 2026 Conference will be an opportunity for educators, behavioral health practitioners, emergency response professionals, law enforcement, and community leaders to come together and examine school safety and the many elements that contribute to it.
Call for presenters
MCSS seeks dynamic and knowledgeable presenters who can share expertise on the layered approach to school safety; emergency preparedness, security, personal connections, and school culture & climate.
Presenters at PREPARE 2026 will provide valuable insights into the current and future school safety landscape through sessions that focus on, but are not limited to, some of the following school safety layers:
- Emergency preparedness — Discuss the fundamental components of emergency planning and unique considerations related to annexes and diverse populations. Best practices for training, drills, and exercises to prepare all stakeholders.
- Security — Explore aspects of school security to include personnel, assessments, and technological advancements that enhance safety, from physical security measures to digital tools.
- Personal connections — Share tools and practices to build positive personal connections among students and staff. Considerations for diverse populations who are more likely to be marginalized.
- School culture and climate — Examine the intersection of social, emotional, and mental wellness and school safety, focusing on preventative approaches that support students and staff. Showcase partnerships and public health-informed school safety solutions, identifying and addressing root causes.
Presenters are encouraged to consider using case studies to teach and share information. Proposals are being accepted for keynote sessions (60 to 90 minutes), breakout sessions (45 to 60 minutes), and lightning sessions (15 minutes).
SRO/SSE of the Year nominations
Nominate SRO/SSE of the Year - PDF - 473.43 KB
Who should attend?
- Education administrators
- Teachers
- School psychologists/guidance counselors
- School security employees, school resource officers (SROs)
- Law enforcement
- Local/state emergency managers
- Fusion center analysts
- Crisis intervention units
- Counselors and mental health specialists
- School social workers
- School safety professionals
- Other school safety stakeholders
Frequently asked questions about the School Safety Conference
We recommend that at least two people from your organization attend to maximize your experience and have the opportunity to attend multiple breakout sessions.
Yes. However, priority registration is given to State partners and educational staff who interact with our schools. Therefore, you may be waitlisted to ensure these individuals are accommodated.
No. The Maryland Center for School Safety is a State Agency, not an association. Therefore, we do not permit vendors to exhibit or attend our conference. Registration is monitored, and any registrations identified as vendors will be canceled.
Yes, we will have webinars leading into the conference, as well as a launch presentation the evening of July 21st.
The conference will take place at the Turf Valley Resort in Howard County, Ellicott City, Maryland.
There will be a launch presentation and early registration on Tuesday, July 21st at 5:00 p.m. with Lynn Reimer ("The Drug Lady"), who will be presenting "New Trends in Substance Abuse......What You Need to Know" tailored to Maryland, and the conference will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both Wednesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 23, 2026.
No. There is no cost to attend our conference.
Yes. Lunch will be provided both days of the conference. A continental breakfast will be provided on the last day of the conference.
Unfortunately, MCSS is only able to provide hotel rooms to conference presenters; however, attendees can book their own room(s) at Turf Valley Resort by calling 410-465-1500 or 888-833-8873.
Rooms can also be booked at a negotiated rate at the following alternative hotels in the area.
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia 12 mi. from Turf Valley
5485 Twin Knolls Road; Columbia, MD 21045
Zel: 410.991.1060
Rate: $159 per night by June 30, 2026
Book a room at DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia
Residence Inn by Marriott Columbia, 10 mi. from Turf Valley
4950 Beaver Run Court; Ellicott City, MD 21043
Tel: 410.997.7200
Rate: $113 per night by June 30, 2026
Booking Code: PREPARE2026
Book a room at Residence Inn by Marriott Columbia
MCSS will submit applications to the entities we believe the conference aligns with. These will include requests for in-service credits for law enforcement, professional development points for administrators and teachers, and CEUs/CPDs for school counselors, psychologists, and social workers.
Please note that the ability to offer these credits and final approvals is at the sole discretion of the approving organization.
Yes, the conference is limited to 500 people. Once registration reaches its limit, all additional requests will be placed on a waitlist.
Yes, registration for PREPARE 2026 will close on Monday, July 6, 2026.
The call for speakers for PREPARE 2026 closed Friday, January 9th.