When people hear threat assessment in schools, they may think about responding to a serious or imminent threat, but effective behavioral threat assessment is a much more layered approach. It involves recognizing concerning behavior early, understanding it in context, and connecting That is the foundation of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management, or BTAM. And it is why threat assessment training is such an important part of building a comprehensive approach to school safety and prevention.

This morning our hearts are heavy for the Bend, Oregon, community and all those grieving alongside them. Four lives lost, and countless others forever changed – it is a tragedy that no community should ever experience.

Understanding requires people who know what warning signs to look for, how to gather information, consider behavior in context, recognize when additional information is needed, and work together to determine if there is a concern for violence or safety and what should happen next. That is the foundation of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management, or BTAM. And it is why threat assessment training is such an important part of building a comprehensive approach to school safety and prevention.