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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 environment that engages and empowers students to report concerns can also help enhance safety and security.

Schools may also consider the use of well-trained and 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
K-12 Anonymized Threat Response Guidance

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Department of Justice, 2024

This resource helps K-12 schools and law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to address anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The guidance includes a toolkit and accompanying reference guide that outline steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise.

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
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.

Fact Sheet
Threat Assessment and Reporting
Behavioral Approach to Violence Prevention

Department of Homeland Security, 2023

This resource outlines common threatening or concerning behaviors identified across a wide variety of completed and averted acts of terrorism and mass violence (i.e., behaviors that may indicate an individual is on a pathway to violence).

Guidance
Targeted Violence
De-escalation Series

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2021

These products provide information and guidance on recognizing, assessing, de-escalating, and reporting behaviors that raise concern. They include details on activities and behaviors that may be concerning or indicative of impending violence.

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