Matt Epling.Com
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."
Anti-Bullying Initiatives
The loss of their son Matthew in the summer of 2002, forty days after a hazing incident, has charged Kevin and Tammy with making sure other children are safe from bullying, hazing and harassment in Michigan’s schools. Locally they have led the charge to establish a community based awareness program: Safe Schools/Safe Communites. They are currently working on state wide anti bullying legislation. It will be named “Matt’s Safe School Law” in memory of their son.
Since 2001 we have lost six children related to instances of school bullying. These are the ones we know of, many others suffer in silence everyday. We do this in memory of Tempest, Matt, Chrystal, Kristina, Austin and Alex. Help us save other children, contact your legislator today and ask for a Senate hearing and or passage of "Matt's Safe School Law"
Learn more:
Tempest, Kristina, Chrystal, Austin and Alex
Help Pass "Matt's Safe School Law" Contact your Senator today!
Michigan's Model Anti-bullying Policy
The State Board of Education passed this model policy in Sept. 2006. Download a copy for your school.
MI Office of Drug Control Policy
The Education Section in the Office of Drug Control Policy administers the Title IV, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) funds, pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. These funds are awarded to schools and communities to provide evidence-based drug and violence prevention programs. The funds are split into two grant processes: SDFSCA School Formula Grants and Governor's Discretionary Grants (GDG).
Visit the main site for more information.
Click here to find the funding level of your district.
Matt's Parents
Kevin and Tammy are members of Bully Police USA and are very active in speaking with civic groups and schools about their personal experience through their presentation, "Bullying and Harassment: The Ostrich Principle." They have recently contributed to a book, "Bullycide in America: Mom's speak out about the bullying suicide connection." to help raise awareness on this important issue.
The Eplings have been actively telling their story to numerous civic, educational and parent groups, and have been featured on CNN, The Mitch Albom Show and several other local and regional news outlets. Kevin and Tammy have established an art competition for middle school students to explore the arts and assist in building self esteem.
or would like to get more information about fees and services –
The Eplings can be reached through the "Contact Us" form on this site. Or by emailing [email protected]
Bully Police USA Genral Information and resources
Bullycide in America BUY THE BOOK TODAY!
Speaking Points
- Exposing Bullying and Hazing in our schools
- Building better community relations
- Law Enforcement's role in solving bullying problems
- Raising awareness through personal loss
- Ending the "Ostrich Principle"
- The Bullying/Suicide connection
- Develop action plans for your school/department
- Generating new ideas within the school/community
- Question/ Re-evaluate your own policies and procedures
- Becoming an Agent of Change
Accomplishments/ Engagements
National Co-Director Bully Police USA 2008-Present
Co-Founder of
2005
Creators of "Matt Epling CReative Art Competition" for East Lansing Middle School students. ( winner of the "Community Innovator Award" by teh Neighborhood Association of Michigan 2006
Contributor to Michigan Legislation known as “Matt’s Safe School Law”
MI Legislative Liaison to www.bullypolice.org
Member, MI Safe Schools Initiative
Member, MI Safe Schools Coalition
Community Activist on school violence prevention issues
Speaking:
Area Schools, community groups, town hall forums
MI Medical Society
MI Death review Board. 2003
East Lansing Middle School, East Lansing High School, 2003
Institute for Public Policy and Social Research: Bullying conference, 2004
MI Association of School Counselors, 2004
MI Safe Schools Lobby Day, 2006
West MI Balanced & Restorative Justice Conference,2006
MI Survivors of Suicide, 2006
MI Safe Schools Lobby Day, 2007
Law Enforcements Approach to Bullying/ Training session, 2007
Michigan Association of School Boards conference, 2007
Holt Middle school 2007
Texas "Child Safe" Conference, 2007
MI Safe Schools Lobby Day 2008
Shiawassee County Children's Service Providers Conference, .2008
Michigan Suicide Prevention Conference, 2008
Warren Woods Middle School, 2008
Vestaburg MIddle School, 2008
Linden High School, 2008
Michigan Office of Drug Control Policy, Violence Prevention Conference, 2008
Lenawee County Community Forum 2009
Chippewa Valley Schools 2009
Immanuel Lutheran church, St. Clair MI 2009
Dakota Schools 2009
Clauge Middle School 2010
Ithaca Schools 2010
Crestview School District
Heritage Academy
National Victims of Violent Crime Conf.
Over 5,000 students, and close to 1,500 adults have heard the message.
Media: CNN “Paula Zahn Now”, CNN Headline News, Comcast “Newsmaker” WJR Radio, "Mitch Albom" Show, WILS Radio, WMMQ, Mike FM, "Tim Barron in the morning", "Patrick Michael Shields" show, "The Dan Mulhern show", WGVU radio AM Lansing with Walt Sorg, and other stations. Local CBS, NBC, ABC television, AP press
