Behavior Safety Assessment
A Behavioral Safety (threat) Assessment (BSA) helps identify situations that may pose a risk of violence or harm, determine the seriousness of that risk, and develop both safety and supervision strategies. BSA teams follow an assessment protocol based on the Salem-Keizer Cascade Model, developed from evidence-based research, while also ensuring issues of bias and equity are addressed throughout the process.
The initial assessment of concerning statements or behaviors is addressed at the school level. Most safety threats fall within the Level 1 protocol conducted by a school-based team composed of an administrator, school counselor and/or school psychologist.
When a threat is determined to be viable, the assessment is then escalated to the Level 2 protocol which is carried out by a multidisciplinary, community based Behavior Safety Assessment Team. The school-based team needs to have completed all steps of the Level 1 assessment and determined a need for a Level 2 consultation before requesting the protocol. Schools can request assistance with Level 2 assessments at the district or county level or by partnering with their
School Safety and Prevention Specialist.
Level 2 Support
- School Safety and Prevention Specialists
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Grant Information
BJA STOP School Violence Grant Brief Information
The BJA STOP Violence Grant activities support the development and implementation of a school culture and climate approach to Behavioral Safety Assessment (BSA) and other related Safe and Inclusive Schools initiatives. Including organizing, facilitating, and developing statewide practices, policies, and training/technical assistance for improving school culture and climate – particularly with a transformative justice lens as applied to BSA.
About BJA Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Grant
The STOP School Violence Act of 2018 was created to improve school safety and security by providing students, teachers, and officers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence. The STOP School Violence Act provides funds to the Department of Justice through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS Office) to support grantees. For more information visit: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/stop-school-violence-program/overview
The BJA offers three-year grants to states, units of local government, tribal government, public agencies, and nonprofit entities that include private schools to improve security within and on K-12 school grounds through evidence-based school safety strategies and initiatives. These grant-funded projects can include:
- Training school staff and educating students on preventing violence against others and themselves including specialized training in responding to mental health crises.
- Implementing technology solutions, such as anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and internet websites.
- Developing and operating school threat assessment and intervention teams.
2024-2025 Behavior Safety Assessment Community of Practice
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