Foundations of Effective Threat Assessment in Schools Claire Cunningham Lead Deputy County Counsel, County of San Mateo Nancy Magee Administrator, Board Support and Community Relations, San Mateo County Office of Education

Welcome and Introductions

What is Threat Assessment? Threat assessment is a process of evaluating a threat of violence and the circumstances surrounding it in order to uncover any evidence that indicates the threat is likely to be carried out.

What is Threat Assessment? A threat assessment is conducted when a person (or persons) threatens to commit a violent act or engages in behavior that appears to threaten an act of violence. This kind of threatened violence is termed "targeted violence.”

Goals of Threat Assessment One: To maintain a safe school environment by preventing an act of violence from taking place Two: To resolve student conflicts or problems that underlie threatening behavior

Six Principles of Threat Assessment Prevention is possible Consider the context Adopt an investigative mind-set Rely on facts, not profiles Gather information from multiple sources Does the student pose a threat?

What is a Threat? Threats may be spoken, written, or gestured, may be direct or indirect and need not be communicated to the intended victim or victims. Any threat expressed through electronic means, including a message, text, sound, or image by means of an electronic device (ED Code 32261g) will be treated like any other threat that impacts the school environment. Weapons possession is presumed to be a threat unless circumstances clearly indicate otherwise. When in doubt, assume it is a threat.

The Threat Assessment Process

Transient or Substantive Transient threats are defined as statements that do not express a lasting intent to harm someone. Transient threats either are intended as figures of speech or reflect feelings that dissipate in a short period when the student thinks about the meaning of what he or she has said. All transient threats end in an apology or explanation that makes it clear the threat is over.

Examples of Transient Threat I’m gonna kill you – heard as a joke I’m gonna kill you – said in the heat of a basketball game I could break you in half – said to intimidate, but retracted after the student calms down I oughta shoot the teacher – said in anger but retracted after the student calms down A student is found with a pocket knife he accidentally left in his backpack

Examples of Substantive Threat I’m gonna kill you – said with intent to injure I’m gonna kill you – said while holding a weapon and not joking Two students exchange threats and then throw rocks at each other I’ll get you next time – said after a fight and the student refuses mediation A student who threatened to stab a classmate is found to have a pocket knife in his backpack

Considerations for Very Substantive Student is: 1.Organized 2.Fixed themes of blame 3.Focused 4.Violent action imperative (I don’t have a choice) 5.Time imperative (right now) 6.Inappropriate interest in other attacks 7.Prior attack-related behaviors – practicing

Transient or Substantive? 1.Does student have capacity 2.Is student experiencing hopelessness, desperation or despair 3.Does student have a trusting relationship with one responsible adult 4.Violence as acceptable way to solve problems 5.Is student’s version of events consistent with actions 6.Are others concerned 7.Narcissistic elements – injustice collector 8.What circumstances might add to likelihood of attack?

The Process If the threat is transient and easily mitigated, take appropriate action Resolve the threat through explanation or apology Provide counseling and education as needed Administer discipline if appropriate

Action for Substantive Threat If the threat is serious substantive, take appropriate action Take precautions to protect victims; notify victim and victim’s parents Discipline student for threat Determine appropriate intervention for student (counseling/mediation) Verify that threat has been resolved and interventions are in place Respond to very serious substantive threat by including district level administrators in the threat inquiry process District-level staff may involve district psychologist, law enforcement, legal counsel, human resources personnel, or special education director

Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities Our mission is to identify and address the safety needs of San Mateo County youth: Work across agencies to develop / implement best practices in: Emergency response Mental health supports Lawful information sharing

C-TAP Team Support schools with site-based threat assessment Engage in deeper level assessment when necessary Student Need SMCOEBHRSSchool/District Law Enforcement

Questions and Discussion