Public concern about violence in schools has created increased pressure on policymakers to do more to make schools safe. Effective school counseling programs can promote school safety. School counselors can play a central role in achieving the dual goal of school safety and school improvement by helping students build needed skills and overcome barriers to learning and healthy development. The failure to provide mental health and academic support services to children who need them carries profound consequences for individuals, schools, and society. School counseling programs can offer students mental health and psychological services that otherwise might not be accessible or available in their communities. Unfortunately the nation is facing a shortage of school counselors, and new federal initiatives aimed at expanding students' access to services must begin by helping schools hire more counselors and support effective counseling programs. As school counselors face the challenges of providing more comprehensive programs, they need continuous support from policymakers, administrators, teachers, and parents. Policies need to promote consolidation of resources to address barriers to learning. Policymakers need to understand the importance of funding programs for prevention and early intervention that address children's emotional, social, personal, and learning problems. (Contains 33 references.) (JDM)