As the Executive Director of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), I’ve had the honor of working with and supporting School Resource Officers (SROs) and school safety professionals nationwide. Drawing from my 25 years of service with the Hoover, Alabama Police Department and nearly 14 years with NASRO, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of collaboration when it comes to keeping schools safe. One of the most vital components of modern school safety is the behavioral threat assessment team.
What is a Behavioral Threat Assessment Team?
A behavioral threat assessment team is a multidisciplinary group of professionals dedicated to identifying, evaluating, and mitigating potential threats within schools. These teams are a cornerstone of proactive school safety, addressing concerning behaviors before they escalate into violence. Their mission is clear: ensure student safety while supporting the well-being of the school community.
Why Multidisciplinary Teams Matter
The strength of a behavioral threat assessment team lies in its diverse composition. These teams typically include SROs, mental health specialists, school counselors, administrators, and sometimes even teachers. Each member brings unique expertise, enabling the team to take a holistic approach to assessing and addressing threats.
SROs, for example, play a critical role in behavioral threat assessments. As trained law enforcement professionals embedded within schools, they offer valuable insight into safety protocols and investigative processes. Mental health specialists provide an essential perspective on student behavior, helping to identify underlying issues that may require intervention. Administrators and counselors ensure that the team’s recommendations align with school policies and student support systems.
Proactively Preventing School Violence
The importance of these teams cannot be overstated. Post-pandemic, schools have faced an alarming rise in violence and threats, with incidents involving firearms on campuses increasing dramatically. Behavioral threat assessment teams serve as a frontline defense against these risks.
Through collaboration, these teams identify early warning signs of potential violence, such as concerning social media posts or troubling interactions observed by faculty. By analyzing these behaviors and gathering intelligence—often through strong relationships built with students, faculty, and parents—they can intervene before a situation escalates. For example, NASRO’s partnerships with initiatives like the Averted School Violence Database highlight how effective these teams can be in stopping potential threats through vigilance and collaboration.
Supporting Student Well-Being
Beyond preventing violence, behavioral threat assessment teams also play a pivotal role in fostering a positive school climate. By addressing underlying issues like mental health challenges or bullying, these teams contribute to a culture of safety and support. When students feel secure and understood, their ability to learn and thrive improves significantly.
A strong school culture and climate are foundational to safety. This is why multidisciplinary teams—with their comprehensive approach—are essential not just for managing risks but for building environments where students and staff feel valued and protected.
The Path Forward: Training & Advocacy
Effective behavioral threat assessment requires proper training, collaboration, and tools that enhance the capacity of multidisciplinary teams. Navigate360 Behavioral Case Manager equips these teams with the resources they need to streamline their processes, promote collaboration, and ensure holistic student support.
Behavioral Case Manager provides a unified platform where teams can document, assess, and manage cases with precision and efficiency. Features such as the Student Well-being Library, customizable workflows, and linked case management allow for a comprehensive view of each student. By consolidating behavioral data and facilitating real-time collaboration, the platform ensures that multidisciplinary teams can address potential threats while promoting student well-being.
Additionally, advocacy remains crucial. SROs and other team members must assert their roles in these processes, ensuring they are part of every school’s behavioral threat assessment efforts. With tools like Behavioral Case Manager, schools can prioritize safety while creating a supportive environment where students can thrive.
Invest in Your Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams
In a complex safety landscape, behavioral threat assessment teams are indispensable. They embody the proactive, collaborative approach needed to protect our schools from violence while fostering a supportive environment for every student. As we move forward, let’s prioritize forming, training, and empowering these teams to ensure a safer future for our school communities.
