Behavioral Threat Assessment
Behavioral Threat Assessment Models
About the CSTAG Model
The Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines model (originally Virginia School Threat Assessment Guidelines), developed by Dr. Dewey Cornell in 2001, focuses on a multidisciplinary team approach, using a decision tree process, to discern and respond to threats of violence within schools. CSTAG became nationally recognized as an evidence-based threat assessment program in 2013 and has demonstrated effectiveness through controlled studies.
Visit the School Threat Assessment webpage for more information on this model. The 2024 CSTAG manual is available for purchase online by clicking here. If you would like to purchase manuals directly from the authors, email [email protected]. To request training, complete the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Training Request Form. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) currently partners with the Arizona Association of School Psychologists (AASP) to bring CSTAG training to education agencies throughout Arizona. CSTAG Coaches are located in several regions of Arizona and will be allocated based on proximity to the requested training site and availability.
About the Salem-Keizer Cascade Model
The Salem-Keizer Cascade Behavioral Threat Assessment Model, developed by John Van Dreal in 1999, is a multiagency student violence prevention and behavioral threat assessment system that is recognized as a best-practice program. John Van Dreal, a school psychologist and retired director of security, safety, and risk management for the Salem-Keizer School District in Oregon, has more than 30 years of experience in preventive behavioral threat assessment and emergency management, psycho-educational evaluation, crisis intervention, behavioral intervention, and security and risk management systems consultation.
Visit John Van Dreal Consulting to learn more about this model. Please submit your contact information at Contact | John Van Dreal Consulting to receive consultation and training services through John Van Dreal Consulting. We look forward to working together towards school safety and violence prevention in your community.
SIGMA Threat Assessment and Managements Services, an ONTIC company, provides threat assessment trainings that outline the guidance published by the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center and the United States Department of Education.
Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, licensed professional counselor, and former district coordinator of social/emotional/behavioral services. She is the past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (2016-17), was an Associate Professor at Winthrop University, and worked for the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado. Dr. Reeves has over 20 years of experience working in public schools and a private school, in addition to providing mental health services in day and residential treatment settings. Dr. Reeves co-authored the PREPaRE Crisis Prevention and Intervention curriculum and travels both nationally and internationally training professionals in crisis prevention and intervention, threat and suicide assessment, trauma and PTSD, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. She is a senior consultant with Sigma Threat Management Associates, as ONTIC Company, and also a threat assessment and mental health specialist and senior advisor for Safe and Sound Schools. She has authored multiple books and publications focusing on school safety, trauma, and threat assessment. Dr. Reeves has also served as an expert witness in court cases involving targeted school attacks and threat and suicide risk assessments. Trainings can be requested by contacting Dr. Melissa A. Reeves, LLC. at this link.
To request trainings over a long-term commitment or with ongoing consultation, please contact Cynthia Marble by clicking here. The requestor should indicate a preference for trainers who are knowledgeable about the school threat assessment process when requesting these trainings.
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Resources
- Threat Assessment - National Center for School Safety
- School Threat Assessment Toolkit: Section 1 - National Center for School Safety
- School Threat Assessment Toolkit: Section 2 - National Center for School Safety
- School Threat Assessment Toolkit: Section 3 - National Center for School Safety
- Essential Elements of School Threat Assessment Webinar - National Center for School Safety
- Threat Assessment Toolkit - Texas School Safety Center
- Behavioral Threat Assessment (K-12) - Illinois School and Campus Safety Resource Center
- Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Best Practices Considerations for K-12 Schools - National Association of School Psychologists
- Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model: An Operational Guide for Preventing Targeted School Violence - United States Secret Service, United States Department of Homeland Security
- Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates - United States Secret Service, United States Department of Education
