To help schools continue to comply with VA Code § 22.1-79.4 (creation of threat assessment teams) and § 9.1-184 (collection and reporting of data by threat assessment teams), the DCJS Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS) is pleased to announce a series of one-day basic threat assessment trainings. The goal is to provide K-12 threat assessment teams with tools and resources to conduct and manage threat cases as required by Virginia Code.
VCSCS offers the one-day basic threat assessment training regionally throughout the year, and also at the request of schools/divisions. Threat assessment team members may register for currently scheduled sessions by clicking the gray "Register" button above. School or division representatives interested in hosting a session for their personnel may complete the HOST A TRAINING form to schedule a session.
The Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety will provide updated model policies, procedures, and guidelines for threat assessment and management in Virginia public schools. The model policies, procedures, and guidelines were revised in 2020 and are available electronically on the DCJS website, along with other information and VCSCS resources related to Threat Assessment in Virginia.
This training is being offered to individuals who are currently serving on a public K-12 school threat assessment team or the school division oversight committee.
Topics to be covered include:
What is a threat? What is concerning/aberrant behavior?
Rationale for the threat assessment approach to violence prevention
The principles of threat assessment
Understanding the Pathway to Violence
Mandated roles and responsibilities of threat assessment teams
The importance of reporting, reporting mechanisms, and overcoming barriers to reporting
Investigating reports of concerning/aberrant/threatening behaviors
Assessing and classifying threats
The nexus between threat assessment and suicide risk assessment
Information sharing and confidentiality
Understanding the goals of threat management and interventions
Updated group case exercise(s)
Law enforcement and school security officers will receive partial in-service credit hours for this training.
Meals and lodging, if applicable, will be the responsibility of the participant.
Check in for training will begin 30 minutes prior to start time.
Start times vary depending on location. See individual session dates below for exact time.
Participants attending training at police academies should wear duty uniform, utility uniform, or business casual. No jeans allowed
Sworn law enforcement who wish to wear their issued firearm must have their credentials in plain view.
There is no cost to the participant to attend this training. Course materials will be provided. Pre-registration is required.
Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS assigned course director to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided during registration.
Participants must complete a COVID waiver prior to entry into the training site. Participants must also abide by the site's requirements. State guidelines no longer mandate masks to be worn indoors by vaccinated individuals, however, the training location could require more restrictive mask and social distancing guidelines. Please come prepared by bringing a mask. Social distancing is encouraged as determined by CDC guidelines.
PLEASE NOTE: DCJS is preparing and planning to continue holding training sessions and conferences after a resumption of normal activities. Every effort will be made to hold this scheduled training, however, due to the uncertainty of the progression of the COVID-19, this training may require rescheduling. You will be notified by email if this training is rescheduled. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.
