Threat Assessment in the Mid-Willamette Valley
In 1998, The Marion County Threat
Assessment Team was formed through the collaboration of the Sheriff's
Office, the Oregon State Courts and Salem Keizer School District. The
team addressed threats against public figures, threats in the workplace
and schools, domestic violence and stalking. Within the United States,
it was the first collaboration of its kind and the following year, both
Salem and Keizer police departments joined the team.
In 2000, using this model as an
example, the Salem-Keizer School District, in collaboration with the
above noted Law Enforcement agencies, Juvenile Justice Services,
Children's Mental Health, Oregon Youth Authority, the Oregon State court
system and several youth-serving community agencies, developed an
assessment system to address potential threats of youth violence within
the school setting and the community.
The development process involved a
thorough survey of current research and best practices, as well as the
consultation of local practitioners who assess or encounter potentially
violent situations involving youth on a regular basis.
Finally the system was refined and
completed through committee work with school administrators, counselors,
police officers, social workers, community mental health specialists,
probation officers, school psychologists and risk management personnel.
Within the following year, the
Willamette Education Service District implemented the system throughout
the rural school districts in both Marion and Polk Counties and
eventually in Yamhill County.
The system in place today includes a
site-based screening completed by a trained multi-disciplinary team
(called a Level 1) and, if needed, a more comprehensive and in-depth
assessment and consultation completed by a multi-agency team (called a
Level 2).
The system is operated from a
collaboration of all of the public agencies that serve youth (including
law enforcement). Members of this collaboration are trained to the
highest standards available and are available to schools for assessment,
consultation and resource development.
The Threat Assessment System objectives are:
- Assess threats of potentially harmful or lethal behavior and determine the level of concern and action required.
- Organize resources and strategies to manage situations involving students that pose threats to other students and/or staff.
- Maintain a sense of psychological safety among our students, teachers and parents.