Student Threat Assessment

Student Threat Assessment System

The RSSC student threat assessment program works proactively with school staff and community partners to; 1) Assess threats and determine the level of concern and action required; 2) Organize resources and strategies to manage situations involving people who pose threats to others; and 3) Maintain a sense of psychological safety within the community.

Our Mission

To provide a comprehensive, multidimensional system to assist schools in addressing situations that may pose a threat of harm to others and to provide options for intervention.

Goals

Keep students who are at risk from committing violent acts in school.
Help protect students and staff members from potential violence.
Provide a student-specific safety plan utilizing community resources to mitigate the threat of violence.
Involve parents in the threat assessment process.
Document the program’s effectiveness in dealing with students who make threats of violence, including student academic and behavioral success.
Work in collaboration with community partners to coordinate resources for the safety and well being of youth, families and communities.

Objectives

Assess threats of potentially harmful or lethal behavior and determine the level of concern and action required.
Organize resources and strategies to manage threatening situations that pose a risk of harm to others.
Maintain a sense of psychological safety among our schools and community.
Reduce the number of expulsions for students who can be maintained safely in the school environment.

Regional School Safety Center Services

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School Safety Coordination

Student Threat Assessment

Wellness and Treatment

Services Include:

Training key staff in schools regarding the Level I threat assessment process of assessing behaviors or situations of concern.
Coordination of Level II threat assessments in which a trained multidisciplinary team meets with key school staff to assesses risk and assists in management and intervention planning.
Preparation of timely written threat assessment summaries following the Level II assessment process.
Consultation, coordination and follow up as services provided

Level 1 Assessment

School staff are trained to complete the Level 1 Threat Assessment. Components of the Level 1 Threat Assessment include the Level 1 Protocol, Parent Interview, Staff questionnaire, Student Interview and Student Witness form. Upon completion of the Level 1 Threat Assessment, a safety support plan are developed. In addition, a referral may be made for a Level 2 Threat Assessment.

Level 2 Assessment

When a Level 2 Threat Assessment is requested, the team expands to include community partners who have been trained in Threat Assessment and Threat Management. These partners may include members from law enforcement, mental health, juvenile justice and children’s services. They provide recommendations for resources and additional support in developing a plan for the student with the goal of increasing safety for the student, school and community.

Experienced Staff

Our staff has a unique skill set of experience in threat assessment, mental health, prevention and intervention, and special education. We are knowledgeable about community and district resources, and participate in community teams and initiatives focused on improving youth access to services and supports.

Staff expertise deepen the scope of the Threat Assessment Program:

Provides informative Level I consultations and training for school administrators.
Shifts the threat assessment focus to more school support at Level I which empowers school staff to handle difficult situations.
Further equips building staff with more evaluative tools to assess sexual incident and self-harm and suicide.
Integrates regional mental health case management (Child Protective Team and Managed Care Organizations) which leverages additional resources for students.
Facilitates information sharing among districts by tracking and notifying district safety officers of high risk students moving between districts.

Level 1 Documents

These forms are to be used by those who have been formally trained in the SK Cascade Threat Assessment System.

Level 1 Threat Assessment Form

Teacher Staff Questionnaire

Parent Interview

Parent Interview Spanish

Student Interview

Student Witness Interview

Notification Log

Plan to Protect Targeted or victimized Student

Recommended Notification Letter

Threat Response Dismissal Form

Sexual Incident Form

Sexual Incident Parent Interview

Sexual Incident Staff Questionnaire

Are you a district administrator?

“Fillable” forms can be completed electronically and saved. Or simply print the form and fill it in by hand.

iPad Users: Fillable forms are available on your iPad using the free Adobe Reader App, available from the iTunes Store. Once downloaded you will see an option to "Open With Adobe Reader" which will allow you to fill in the boxes and send via email to your account.

Student Threat Assessment Tools & Resources

Parent Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a Student Threat Assessment System?

The Student Threat Assessment is a team process that focuses on factors which may influence a student to threaten and/or act in a dangerous way. The threat assessment team also provides recommendations/considerations with the goal of developing a safety and support plan for students and the school community. Threat assessment is a school-based process that parents are invited into as participants. This is different than other processes where “due process” rights mandate parent participation.

Why is a Threat Assessment needed for my child?

The student has threatened and/or acted in a way that raises concern about him/her, another student, and/or the school community. Safety is a priority for our community, so a team is brought together to give problem-solving recommendations and resources for your child and family and the school community.

Who is involved in the threat assessment process?

Level I Threat Assessment

In a Level I Threat Assessment parents and school staff complete questionnaires and interview forms that ask for important information about the student’s behavior, strengths and challenges. The threat assessment Site Team includes school staff members who know the student and includes you as a parent. Occasionally, the Level I process will also involve the Student Threat Assessment Coordinator from Educational Service District 112. A safety and support plan is developed based on the assessment information that is gathered and/or a referral is made for a Level II Assessment.

Level II Assessment

In a Level II Threat Assessment the threat assessment team expands to include community resources. A community team may include members from law enforcement, mental health services, juvenile court, and the Department of Children and Family Services. This team is specifically trained in threat assessment. The community team provides support and additional resources and/or links to resources. This expanded team helps develop a plan for the student with the goal of increasing safety for the student and the school community.

What if I disagree with the plan that is developed by the team?

As the parent you are an expert on your child and your perspective is important. The safety and support plan is developed by an experienced team and, as the parent, being open to the team’s recommendations may be a key to helping your child to be successful at school. If you disagree with the consultation provided in the Level I Threat Assessment, feel free to discuss this during the Level I meeting if you are present or with the school personnel who has contacted you about this process. Decision-making regarding the threat assessment plan recommendations and considerations are the responsibility of the school.

Documents and Tools

Who to Contact

Don Lawry

Threat Assessment Coordinator

Contact

Phone: 360-952-3336

Email: don.lawry@esd112.org

Travis Effinger

Threat Assessment Coordinator

Contact

Phone: 360-209-8879

Email: travis.effinger@esd112.org

Denise Dishongh

Behavioral Health Program Manager

Contact

Phone: 360-952-3644

Email: denise.dishongh@esd112.org

Student Threat Assessment

In partnership with mental health, law enforcement, and juvenile justice agencies, ESD 112 provides Student Threat Assessment to school districts

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Student Threat Assessment System

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