Action Steps

Establish a Clear, District-Wide Policy

It is important to have specific, well-articulated procedures for exploring allegations of actual or potential violence. These matters require prompt, discrete, and responsible action on the part of school officials. The policy should include protocols for:

· Assigning and training the threat assessment team
· Evaluating and interviewing the potential offender
· Notifying and working with parents
· Interviewing other students and staff
· Determining the level of intervention required
· Bringing in additional professionals (e.g., mental health, social service, law enforcement)
· Providing follow-up observation and services
· Responding to media should the need arise

Build an Interdisciplinary, Trained, Threat Assessment Team

Effective threat assessment is based on the combined efforts of a threat assessment team, usually composed of trained school-based personnel and select members of the broader school community such as law enforcement, faith leaders, and representatives of social service agencies. School personnel should include top administrators, mental health professionals, and security staff. This interdisciplinary team approach improves the efficiency and scope of the assessment process, (which can be time-consuming), provides a diversity of professional input, and minimizes the risk of observer bias. Specific training for all members of the team is essential! The Secret Service now offers training on preventing incidents of targeted violence, responding to threatening situations and creating safe school climates. Further information is available at www.threatassessmentseminars.org.

Create a Climate of Trust Between Students and Adults

Students often know of potential problems well in advance of adults. They need to feel comfortable telling a trusted adult about any concerns they have regarding threats of violence of any kind. Parents and community leaders should be incorporated as part of the supportive and trusted school/community environment. Students, staff and parents should also understand the following:

· Violence prevention is everyone's responsibility
· The school has a threat assessment process in place
· How the process works and who is involved
· All information will be handled discreetly
· The purpose is to protect both the potential victim(s) and perpetrator(s)

back - next

home
Adapted from informatin provided by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Developed by: Stephen Brock, Ph.D., NCSP,who is on the faculty of California State University-Sacramento and Chairs the NASP Crisis Intervention Interest Group; and Shane Jimerson, Ph.D. NCSP, who is on the faculty of the University of California Santa Barbara.
With Phil Lazarus, they are co-editors of the NASP publication, Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention.
Copyright © 2003 by the Network for Instructional TV, Inc.
All rights reserved.