The Nevada Department of Education (NDE)is proposing this project to further enhance the development and implementation of Behavioral Threat Assessment teams at districts across the state.

PROJECT ABSTRACT 

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) is proposing this project to further enhance the development and implementation of prevention of school violence and bullying through PBIS and support and build out Behavioral Threat Assessment teams at districts across the state. This project will further build upon an already ongoing statewide effort to address the problem of school violence through prevention and intervention efforts to support students. The State of Nevada has aligned with federal recommendations and adopted threat assessment as a key strategy to identify threats and implement effective interventions. The NDE has provided statewide threat assessment training, which has been valuable in providing consistent, reliable preparation across the state. However, further training and case management is needed to continue supporting our communities as they continue to experience exposure to social, emotional, and familial risk factors. As the Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis recently advised, it is imperative that safety partners understand not only the relationship between risk factors and the potential for targeted school violence, but also recognize the increased probability that students have experienced multiple risk factors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

To address these issues, the NDE is proposing to enhance the implementation of our multidisciplinary threat assessment teams by delivering our evidence-based NTAC model through a high-quality eLearning training platform for our school teams to build, strengthen, and maintain knowledge and skills in threat assessment and suicide prevention. The threat assessment training will include both eLearning modules and an interactive virtual or in-person team learning components that not only provide the background needed to implement threat assessment, but the practical hands-on skills. The case management software will guide multidisciplinary teams as they document and assess cases, and more effectively implement harm reduction plans for at-risk students that are trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate. These tools will be made available to districts throughout the state over a 36-month period using a cyclical and phased approach to implementation. Specific elements are also embedded within our proposal that will ensure sustainability of these activities beyond the life of the grant to achieve the long-term impacts desired.