Assessment What is Threat Assessment Threat assessment is the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Threat Assessment

What is Threat Assessment ● Threat assessment is the process of gathering information to understand the threat of violence posed by a person. ● Threat management is the process of developing and executing plans to mitigate the threat of violence by a person. ● Pro-active problem solving approach to violence prevention

Virginia Threat Assessment Model Virginia Model was established in 2001 ● Has been extensively examined through field tests and controlled studies ● that demonstrate its effectiveness and utility Widely recognized as the most comprehensive threat assessment model ● in the country Approach to violence prevention that emphasizes early attention to ● problems Designed to be proactive and problem-solving, instead of punitive ● Preferred model of Sandy Hook Promise ●

Virginia Threat Assessment Model Research Findings After training, school personnel showed decreased fears of school violence, and reduced ● support for zero tolerance approach. After training school personnel showed knowledge of threat assessment principles and the ● ability to classify cases reliably. Few arrests (1.2% of 841 cases) ● Racial/ethnic breakdown for 841 TA cases was 53% White, 27% Black, 9% Hispanic, 11% Other. ● Racial/ethnic composition of schools these students attended was similar: 55% White, 21% Black, 13% Hispanic, 11% Other. Examined disciplinary consequences for students receiving threat assessment in Virginia. ● Found no disparities among Black, Hispanic, and White students in out of school suspensions, school transfers or legal actions. No disparities among Black, Hispanic, and White students in whether the student was given out ● of school suspension, expelled, or arrested.

VSTAG Schools vs. Non VSTAG Schools Students at schools using VSTAG reported less bullying at their school. ● VSTAG schools experienced a 50% reduction in long term suspensions over a 2-year period, ● control group schools not using VSTAG showed no significant change. VSTAG schools showed a 79% decline in bullying infractions, while control group schools not ● using VSTAG saw a slight increase. VSTAG school students were one third as likely to receive a long-term suspension then control ● group schools not using VSTAG. VSTAG schools recorded 15% fewer short term suspensions and 25% fewer long term ● suspensions then control group students not using VSTAG. Short term and long-term suspension rates lower for both Black and White students in schools ● using VSTAG. Source: Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines: Intervention and Support to Prevent Violence.

Threat Assessment Team Threat assessment utilizes a team approach ● Team members include: ● Administration ○ Law Enforcement ○ Counselor/Social Worker ○ Mental Health Worker ○ Benefits of a team approach include: ● Having a more complete picture of the individual or situation ○ Open communication ○ Having a diverse group of perspectives to gain information and help assess the situation ○

Threat Assessment Process Step 1: Evaluate the threat. ● Obtain detailed account ○ Consider the circumstances ○ Step 2: Attempt to resolve the threat as transient. ● Is the threat easily resolved? ○ Is the threat retracted or an apology/explanation offered? ○ Step 3: Respond to a substantive threat. ● Take precautions to protect all potential victims ○ Look for ways to resolve the conflict ○ Step 4: Conduct a safety evaluation for a very serious substantive threat. ● Screen for mental health ○ Law enforcement investigation for evidence of planning and preparation, criminal activity ○ Develop a safety plan that reduces risk and addresses student needs ○ Step 5: Implement and monitor the safety plan. ● Document the plan ○ Maintain contact with the student ○

Threat Management Develop a safety plan to reduce risk of violence and addresses student ● needs Plan includes immediate steps to prevent the threat from being carried ● out and a plan for further action Plan includes provisions for follow up with the student to verify that the ● plan has been successfully implemented to meet the school safety needs, and the needs of the student. Team continues to monitor the plan and situation to make revisions if ● necessary. Provision is included for a follow up review. ●

Types of Cases Benefiting from Threat Assessment No Contact Order Violation ● Shots Fired at Mercer Park ● Threats of shooting up a school ● Sex Trafficking ● Stabbing threat from domestic ● Suicidal Student ● Bullying ●

Proposed ICCSD Threat Assessment Plan One law enforcement officer would be dedicated full time to the ICCSD to ● serve on the team Provides consistency in response ○ Brings level of expertise to threat assessment when working with school based teams to ○ review threats and coordinate response Ability to give undivided time and attention to the district ○ Coordinate and provide training ○ Law enforcement would have an office at ESC ● Team would have a civilian threat assessment coordinator ● Work with each school based team to review threats and coordinate response ○ Coordinate training with law enforcement ○

Proposed ICCSD Threat Assessment Plan Cont. School based teams would include: ● Administration ○ Counselor ○ Student and Family Advocate ○ Threat assessment coordinator ○ Threat assessment officer ○ Associated costs/funding for ICCSD TA Team would need to be ● determined

Law Enforcement Role on Team Expert in threat assessment ● Access to all resources on the county team ● Police, DHS, Crisis Center, Jail Alternative, Attorney’s Office, University of Iowa Threat ○ Assessment Team, UIHC, Juvenile court, DVIP, RVAP Ability to assist with dedicated follow up- especially outside the school ● setting Provide training to team members ● Be the dedicated and consistent respondent for phone calls or questions ● from school administration

What is NOT Law Enforcement’s Role on the Team ● Not an SRO ● Not meant to be a police presence in buildings ● Not meant to be called for fights or behavior issues in the buildings ● Not meant to assist or have input with school discipline

FERPA Considerations Schools may not disclose personally identifiable information from ● students’ education records to outside parties include law enforcement without written consent from parents or eligible student Exceptions to this include: ● With a health or safety emergency ○ In order to protect the health and safety of students or other individuals ○ Information provided in such times may only be provided during the emergency ○ In order to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena ○ Observed behaviors and overheard or directly heard comments and/or 3rd party ○ reported observations/comments HIPPA has similar law enforcement exceptions when there is an imminent ● threat to health or safety Source: U.S. Department of Education https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Why Do We Need Threat Assessment? To prevent violence before it happens. ● To prevent bullying. ● To prevent self harm. ● To do due diligence in protecting the safety and welfare of all students ● and staff in the district. To provide a comprehensive support system to individuals in crisis. ● To protect the district from civil liability. ● Currently there is no consistent, research based model to evaluate and ● assess threats in the ICCSD.