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Threat Assessment and Reporting Threat Assessment and Reporting

Identify and address safety concerns to reduce the threat of violence.

Identifying, reporting, and addressing safety concerns can help reduce the threat of targeted violence and enhance student safety. Schools can consider establishing a centralized reporting system that is continually monitored and allows for anonymous reporting to help students and other members of the school community provide information on concerns for wellness or safety. Creating a school climate characterized by support and inclusivity can also help enhance safety and foster an environment that is conducive in engaging and empowering students to report concerns.

Schools may also consider the use of well-trained and diverse multidisciplinary school threat assessment teams. These teams should include certified mental health professionals and the approach should include providing the supports and interventions students need when they need them.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning more about threat assessment and reporting. Use these resources to help implement a threat assessment and reporting system. 

Additionally, SchoolSafety.gov regularly publishes issue briefs that provide a high-level overview of a specific school safety topic as well as a sampling of aligned strategies, resources, programs, and tools. Download and explore threat assessment and reporting-related issue briefs below.

Guidance
Threat Assessment and Reporting
School Threat Assessment Toolkit

Department of Justice, 2024

This toolkit is designed to aid schools in employing behavioral threat assessment and management as part of a comprehensive violence prevention strategy. The toolkit offers guidance on training, implementation, and assessment of school threat assessment teams. It aims to ensure fidelity to student rights while providing practical tools like documents, forms, videos, and additional resources to support schools’ efforts.
Guidance
Threat Assessment and Reporting
Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model

Department of Homeland Security, July 2018

This guide provides actionable steps that schools can take to develop comprehensive targeted violence prevention plans and create processes and procedures for conducting threat assessments.

Filter Resources

All Threat Assessment and Reporting Resources

Access additional resources below to learn more about threat assessment and reporting and related best practices. Use the filters to sort resources based on preparedness action.

Guidance
Threat Assessment and Reporting
School Threat Assessment Toolkit

Department of Justice, 2024

This toolkit is designed to aid schools in employing behavioral threat assessment and management as part of a comprehensive violence prevention strategy. The toolkit offers guidance on training, implementation, and assessment of school threat assessment teams. It aims to ensure fidelity to student rights while providing practical tools like documents, forms, videos, and additional resources to support schools’ efforts.
Podcast
Targeted Violence
Understanding Firearm-Related Injury and School Violence Series

Department of Justice, 2024

This podcast interview series provides information on the intersection of school safety strategies and firearm-related injury. Episodes cover topics such as youth suicide prevention, anonymous reporting systems, and community engagement.
Fact Sheet
Bullying and Cyberbullying
Bullying Prevention and Preparedness Modelling

Department of Justice, 2023

This document outlines key takeaways, additional resources, and discussion questions from a recorded webinar on upstream practices that help schools reduce instances of bullying.
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