Presentation

Establishing Interdisciplinary Communication & Collaboration for K12 Threat Assessment

(Susan Payne & Lina Alathari)

This session will provide an overview of best practices for prevention, threat assessment, and safety planning in K-12 schools.  Attendees will begin with the components of a comprehensive threat assessment program, including actionable steps that schools can take to identify students who may be exhibiting concerning behaviors, gather information on the background and behaviors of concerning students, assess whether students pose a risk to themselves or others, and risk management strategies and interventions. The session will discuss engaging students, parents, and staff to be part of the prevention and recovery solution, reporting tools, accountability of these mechanisms, and follow up strategies.

Biography

Susan Payne is a national expert in school safety, Special Advisor to Safe and Sound Schools, and founder and former executive director of Safe2Tell, a non-profit prevention initiative developed as a response to the Columbine tragedy. She is a 28-year law enforcement veteran, and was Director of Safe Schools at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office directing the Safe2Tell Colorado prevention initiative. The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Education have recognized Susan as an expert in school safety and prevention strategies. She has provided expert guidance and technical assistance during and after crises and their aftermaths from mass violence, youth suicide, and environmental disasters. Susan also works on environmental design and building safer schools for tomorrow, trains on digital threat assessment for Safer Schools Together, and serves on the National School Safety Consortium.