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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
• f 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
• ut 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.