Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management for K-12 Schools: 15-Minute Focus: Brief Counseling Techniques that Work

In 15-Minute Focus: Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management for K-12 Schools, Dr. Melissa A. Louvar Reeves explains the interrelated factors that play a role in a person’s decision to plan and carry out an act of violence. Every year, stories about violence in schools make headlines around the world. And every year, questions surface: How could this have been prevented? What were the warning signs? What changes do we need to make in our schools and communities to prevent this from happening yet again? This book will help answer those questions, as you learn about the factors that affect decision-making, and the role of Behavioural Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) in managing students’ troubling behaviours, mitigating risk for the school and community, and directing students onto more positive pathways. In this book, you’ll discover:

• Why schools should establish BTAM teams and protocols
• How to establish a BTAM team
• Identifying and reporting concerns
• Establishing protocols for evaluating threats
• How teachers, administrators, counsellors and the community can work together to mitigate troubling behaviour and ensure student success
• Ways to assist struggling students as they transition to adult life after high school

Educators, administrators, and school counsellors have been trained on how to respond to a student who is suicidal or despondent. This book helps translate those skills to assist someone who is thinking about harming others. ˙

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"This book is great not just for counselors, but also administrators, district-level teams, SRO's, and school boards. It has tons of relevant and timely information packed into one short and easy-to-read resource. I would recommend this book for a summer book study for all educational leaders and school boards. This guide goes into the 8 Steps of establishing a quality BTAM process (a system used by the Secret Service!). It looks at threat assessments through an educational MTSS lens and that of a law enforcement side - a marriage of two agencies. I found so many parts of this book relevant, so it's important for schools at every grade level. High school counselors you will find this book very helpful!"
- Laura Filtness, School Counselor

"This book holds a ton of helpful resources and tools for school staff but is SUPER EASY to read. Dr. Reeves reviews the 8 step process of quality BTAM, the why and how behind the importance of school teams, and most importantly ways to help students the ensure their success. Additionally, the importance of quality SEL and understanding the difference between MAKING and POSING a threat. If your school or school district needs guidance on how to establish protocols and teaming then this is your go to resource."
- Shannon Dobson, Behavior Specialist and Educator