This is a book about behavioral threat assessment that focuses on prevention and early intervention. It’s about thoughtful connection, inclusion, prosocial relationship building, and the restoration of meaningful and positive experiences for young people within the school environment. It’s about the importance of staying objective, avoiding assumptions, and eliminating prejudgment. Finally, it’s about redirecting that person to constructive, nonviolent solutions and avoiding arrest, institutionalization, or worse.
John Van Dreal is a school psychologist and the retired director of Safety and Risk Management Services for the Salem-Keizer School District.
Courtenay McCarthy is the lead school psychologist in student preventive behavioral threat assessment and management for Salem-Keizer Public Schools, is chair of the Mid-Valley Student Threat Assessment Team and is a member of the Marion County Threat Advisory Team.
Coleen Van Dreal is a school counselor at Roberts High School @ Chemeketa, Salem-Keizer Public School’s alternative high school.