Regional School Safety Centers

Threat Assessment Services

The ESDs provide training and technical assistance for the implementation of School-Based Threat Assessment Programs in their region.

School-based threat assessment teams

Starting with the 2020/21 school year, all LEAs are required to have school-based threat assessment teams in place (RCW 28A.320.123).

To support these efforts, each ESD provides training, resources, and consultation to schools to implement the Salem-Kaiser Threat Assessment System, a preventative, multi-agency/multi-disciplinary, trauma informed protocol that helps schools in addressing situations that may pose a threat of harm and to provide options for intervention. The Model is constructed with an equity lens and is focused on keeping students who are at risk from committing violent acts in school; protecting students and staff from potential violence; and providing student-focused safety plans using community resources to mitigate threats.

The threat assessment process is coordinated by a unique collaborative team that includes community mental health, law enforcement, courts, and juvenile justice, in partnership with the schools.