Educators, administrators, school safety team members, counselors, law enforcement personnel, mental health professionals, and community leaders gathered at the BCIU Main Office on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for the Keeping Kids Safe Symposium. This year’s program, held in partnership with the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, addressed one of today’s most pressing school safety challenges: artificial intelligence and deepfakes.
Keynote presenter Ryan Klingensmith, LPC, NCC, founder of Shape the Sky, shared practical tools, resources, and strategies to help schools, families, and communities navigate the evolving digital landscape and better protect students online.
The symposium also featured insights from Bryan Boughter, assistant district attorney for the County of Berks; Robert Cariola, FBI special agent and regional threat management coordinator; and Cpl. Andrew McCloskey, community anti-threat officer with the Caernarvon Township Police Department. Together, they highlighted the value of coordinated partnerships in responding to emerging threats affecting youth.
“Keeping students safe requires schools and communities to continually adapt as new challenges emerge. The Keeping Kids Safe Symposium brings together professionals from education, public safety, mental health, and law enforcement to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and identify practical strategies to better protect and support children across Berks County,” said Russell Del Rosario, BCIU Safety and Security Program Administrator.
The Berks County Intermediate Unit has coordinated the Keeping Kids Safe Symposium for more than 15 years to address emerging issues affecting school safety and well-being. By bringing together educators, law enforcement professionals, mental health experts, and community leaders, the symposium provides a valuable forum for sharing perspectives, strengthening local partnerships, and identifying actionable strategies to create safer, more supportive environments for children and families throughout Berks County.