Albuquerque Public Schools
Safe Zone
A Safe Zone is a place where students can talk to an adult in a non-judgmental environment, receive support, and get connected to the resources they need to succeed.
What is Safe Zone?
A Safe Zone is a place where students can talk to an adult in a non-judgmental environment, receive support, and get connected to the resources they need to succeed. The Albuquerque Public Schools Safe Zone program was designed to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) students and their allies but is available to all students in APS.
LGBTQ+ students face many barriers that can prevent them from feeling safe within their school environment including verbal and physical harassment and bullying. These students are at increased risk of homelessness and self-destructive behaviors which often result in attendance issues and higher drop-out rates.
Safe Zones operate at all levels across the district. Every school designates at least one staff member as a "safe adult" that students can go to if they need to report harassment and need help. Safe Zone Volunteers identify their office or classroom by hanging a SAFE ZONE sign or wearing a Safe Zone lanyard. Safe Zone Volunteers may be identified virtually by the use of the Safe Zone Flag emblem in their Google classroom or electronic communications.
Safe Zone Volunteers attend 1-2 district meetings per year for professional development, resource sharing, and networking. Safe Zone Volunteers and other school staff may also choose to sponsor Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs, support groups or lunch groups to create safe spaces for students.
APS Policy and Procedural Directives
Resources
Agora 24-Hour Crisis Line
As trained crisis hotline specialists, Agora volunteers are ready to provide compassionate, non-judgmental help for anyone in need of emotional support.
Website: Agora Crisis Line
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.
Website: Crisis Text Line
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ+ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. They offer tons of resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
GLSEN National School Climate Survey
Report on the school experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in schools, including the extent of the challenges that they face at school and the school-based resources that support LGBTQ+ students’ well-being.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.
Website: The Human Rights Campaign
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
A project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, love is respect, offers 24/7 information, support, and advocacy to young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships.
Website: National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
NM Crisis and Access Line (NMCAL)
The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (NMCAL) is a statewide mental health crisis line for anyone who resides in the State of New Mexico and is concerned with suicidal thoughts, substance use, grief, and other behavioral health issues.
Website: NM Crisis Line
PFLAG Albuquerque
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has an Albuquerque chapter dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ persons -- and those who love them.
Website: PFLAG Albuquerque Chapter
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
Website: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico (TGRC NM)
Dedicated to serving the transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and gender variant community of the State of New Mexico by providing personal support, advocacy, education, and resource information.
Contact: Adrien Lawyer at (505) 440-3402.
Website: Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico
The Trevor Project
The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ people ages 13-24.
Website: The Trevor Project
Rape Crisis Center of NM
The Rape Crisis Center of NM's mission is to provide support and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and abuse within Central New Mexico, and to serve as a community resource on issues regarding prevention and awareness of sexual violence.
Website: Rape Crisis Center of NM