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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.

Tool
Targeted Violence
Mass Attacks Defense Toolkit

Third Party, 2022

This online toolkit provides strategies and guidance on deterring, mitigating, and responding to mass attacks. It is designed to help reduce the likelihood of mass shootings and other public attacks, and reduce the casualties of completed attacks.

 
Training Program
Threat Assessment and Reporting
Master Trainer Program

Department of Homeland Security

This program certifies federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners in the instruction of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management best practices and techniques. It is designed to prepare partners to train their local communities and provides organizations with tools to help mitigate threats and prevent acts of terrorism and targeted violence.

Training Program
Targeted Violence
Foundations of Targeted Violence Prevention eLearning

Department of Homeland Security

This online training educates the public on threatening or potentially concerning behaviors and where to report them, providing an opportunity for intervention to prevent targeted violence from occurring.

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