The ESD 123 Student Threat Assessment program was adopted from the Salem-Keizer Cascade Student Threat Assessment System (STAS), a set of protocols and safety planning procedures to promote safe school environments.
The program is a two-level system that includes a school site-based threat assessment team, called a Level I Assessment, and a multi-agency community team called a Level II Assessment.
The primary goal is to provide an immediate and systematic response to youth who pose a serious threat to commit acts of violence to others. A team, for instance, might restrict the student’s access to weapons, connect the student and his/her family to mental health counseling, and try to directly address the person’s grievance if possible.
This approach also reduces over-reactive school responses to Zero-Tolerance Policies, that often result in an inflated number of students identified as potentially dangerous and thus an over reliance upon expulsion to resolve school safety concerns.
Student Threat Assessment System is a team-based, decision-making and supervision planning model. It is based upon the assessment’s indicators of concern, factors that elevate that risk, and the protective supports and strategies needed to decrease that concern.
In partnership with higher education institutions across Benton and Franklin Counties, Threat Assessment will also focus on preventing escalation to violence among college students by expanding, supporting, and collaborating with local community colleges in learning and implementing the Salem Keizer Threat Assessment model. The implementation of the Salem Keizer model within our community colleges helps to create a more seamless transition between K-12 and higher education for both educational staff and youth.
What we have to offer:
- Ongoing training (initial training and annual refreshers)
- On-site coaching by Threat Assessment Coordinator for new Level I and Level II teams
- Supported facilitation of Level II Assessments
- Shared ownership and responsibility, decreased liability
- Identification of risk in clear terms
- Intervention strategies that fit the situation and address the risk
- Promotion of observation and supervision
Want to Learn More?
Deleon Gause
Threat Assessment Coordinator
[email protected]
509.544.5717