Fontana School Police Launch Blue Envelope Program to Improve Safety, Trust With Disability and Deaf Communities

The Inland Regional Center (IRC) is proud to announce that the Fontana School Police Department has officially launched the Blue Envelope Program, a community-driven initiative designed to strengthen communication and build trust between law enforcement, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Sgt. Nathan Weiske and his team at the Fontana Police Department provided vital assistance to the Fontana School Police Department, helping ensure the program was successfully established and is now fully operational.

The Blue Envelope Program was first developed in San Bernardino County as a collaborative effort between the Autism Society Inland Empire, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and IRC, with funding support from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) through its Language Access and Cultural Competency (LACC) initiative.

The San Bernardino model is trauma-informed and grounded in the lived experiences of those most impacted, including law enforcement officers, parents, and individuals who self-identify as having an intellectual or developmental disability (such as autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or an intellectual disability), as well as those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Dr. CJ Cook, Program Administrator at Inland Regional Center, shared: “We are proud to welcome the Fontana School Police Department into the Blue Envelope Coalition. Their early adoption shows a strong commitment to the safety and inclusion of students and families with disabilities and communication needs. With the support of our partners and DDS funding, this program continues to grow as a model for community trust and engagement.”

Sgt. David Wibert of the Fontana School Police Department, Fontana Unified School District, shared: “The Blue Envelope Program equips Fontana School Police officers with the knowledge, tools, and training needed to engage more effectively with students, families, and community members with disabilities, promoting safer interactions on and around school campuses, strengthening trust between law enforcement and families, and fostering dignity and respect for all.”

The Blue Envelope Program provides individuals, families, and caregivers with voluntary, self-directed tools—such as a recognizable blue envelope for storing driver’s documents, as well as lanyards, bracelets, keychains, and pins for non-drivers—paired with training for law enforcement officers. In addition, students, parents, and caregivers who self-identify as having an I/DD or as Deaf or Hard of Hearing are offered training to better understand interactions with law enforcement and to make informed decisions that are right for them and their families, based on their culture, level of support, and willingness to self-identify.

Importantly, the Blue Envelope Program is not a “get out of jail free card.” Instead, it is a proactive tool designed to enhance mutual understanding, reduce miscommunication, and foster safer, more respectful interactions between individuals and law enforcement officers. The initiative emphasizes privacy, dignity, and choice, allowing students and parents to decide whether or not to participate and when to use the tools.

For more information about the Blue Envelope Program and how to get involved, email community@inlandrc.org.