What is Threat Assessment?

Threat assessment is a problem-solving approach to violence prevention that focuses on threats and other forms of student conflict before they escalate into violent behavior. The threat assessment team uses the State adopted Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), a problem solving team approach to evaluate the risk of violence posed by someone and to intervene and resolve the issues that underlie the threatening behavior.  The Mental Health Assessment is not meant to be a prediction model, but instead identifies any mental health needs, identifies reasons why the threat was made, and proposes strategies for reducing risk. The goal of the threat assessment process is to be preventative, not punitive. 

What is a threat?

• A threat is an expression of intent to harm someone.
• Threats may be spoken, written, or gestured.
• Threats may be direct or indirect, and need not be communicated to the intended victim or victims ("I'm going to get him")
• Weapon possession is presumed to be a threat unless circumstances clearly indicate otherwise ("I forgot my knife was in my backpack")

 ***  If Imminent danger, call 911  *** 

 Everyone should report a threat via the following link:  FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials 24/7.

Senate Bill 7030, an act relating to implementation of legislative recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Commission. The bill specifically requires all districts to develop a mental health plan to include direct employment of school-based mental health services providers to expand and enhance mental health services and to reduce the ratio of students to staff in order to better align with nationally recommended ratio models. The bill also requires all schools to have a threat assessment team to coordinate resources, assessment and intervention for students that may pose a threat. For a look at this comprehensive bill go to: https://m.flsenate.gov/Bill/7030/2019

For additional information, contact the Assistant Superintendent for School Support Services at (941) 255-0808, ext 3047