School safety today demands more than policies and protocols—it requires people. Effective threat assessment is a human-centered process, and ensuring the right people are at the table can make all the difference in identifying concerns early and responding appropriately.
In a recent Navigate360 Ambassador Program roundtable discussion, Thom Jones, Senior Vice President of Detection & Prevention at Navigate360 and a former school administrator with over 19 years of experience, shared key insights into how multidisciplinary teams help schools respond with confidence and care. Drawing on case data from tens of thousands of threat assessments across the country, Thom provided helpful guidance on enhancing school safety using a threat assessment model and building multidisciplinary teams that work—and why diverse roles matter.
Here are four things to consider as you reflect on your own school’s threat assessment team.
1. Threat assessment works best as a collaboration, not a checklist.
Threat assessment isn’t just about following a form—it’s about bringing the right perspectives together to understand the full context of a student’s behavior. Teams work best when roles are clearly defined, consistently involved, and collaboratively engaged.
“A true threat assessment process is proactive, not reactive. It brings together different viewpoints so you can see the full picture of a student’s behavior—not just the incident.” – Thom Jones
If your team meetings are brief, infrequent, or dominated by a single voice, consider how you might expand participation and deepen collaboration.
2. Even low-level threats benefit from law enforcement insight.
It’s a common misconception that law enforcement only needs to be involved when a threat is clearly imminent or criminal. But real-world data—and experience—suggest otherwise.
Recent data from Navigate360’s national CSTAG case reviews shows that:
- Only 1.6% of threat cases involve students actively preparing to carry out a threat
- Only 1.6% involve students who are suicidal
That means over 98% of threat cases present opportunities for early, proactive intervention—and law enforcement can play a key role in those moments.
“The cases that make headlines usually had red flags long before the big incident. If law enforcement isn’t part of the early conversation, we lose that opportunity to intervene upstream.” – Thom Jones
When present from the start, your School Resource Officer (SRO) or law enforcement partner can help the team assess access-to-weapons risk, investigate off-campus concerns, and connect students and families to external supports. Their role isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about insight.
3. Support-based roles are just as essential as safety roles.
Behavioral concerns often stem from underlying issues like trauma, isolation, or emotional distress. That’s why mental health professionals are such a vital part of any school threat assessment team.
“You can’t suspend your way out of a mental health crisis. Having someone at the table who understands behavioral health is non-negotiable.” – Thom Jones
School counselors, psychologists, and social workers help ensure that your response isn’t just about discipline—but about connection and care.
If your team doesn’t currently include mental health staff, consider how to incorporate them more fully or connect with external partners who can offer this lens.
4. Culture matters—especially when it comes to early reporting.
Even with the best team in place, your ability to prevent harm depends on whether students and staff feel safe bringing concerns forward. Trusted adults, anonymous reporting options, and a clear, consistent process can make all the difference.
“The cases you never hear about? Those are the success stories. Someone spoke up, the team responded, and a student got the help they needed. That only happens when people trust the process.” – Thom Jones
Schools that normalize early intervention—without fear of overreaction—are the ones best positioned to prevent escalation.
Final Takeaway: Threat assessment is not about policing—it’s about preventing. And prevention requires a team that reflects the many ways students show us when something’s wrong.
Your team doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective. But it should be multidisciplinary by design, collaborative in practice, and committed to early action rooted in care.
“Every voice at the table matters. When your team works as one, you’re not just managing threats. You’re building trust. You’re protecting people.” – Thom Jones
Free Guide: Behavioral Threat Assessment Starter Kit
Comprehensive threat assessment programs are a necessity for violence prevention in schools. It is your critical first step in preventing harm and providing support for students on a path to self-harm and harm to others.
