Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Threat Assessment Consultation

The Office of School Safety (OSS) Resource Center provides Threat Assessment Consultation upon request from a school. Schools can contact the OSS Resource Center two ways:


Wisconsin School Threat Assessment Protocol​​

​ ​​​​The School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol is an early intervention tool to assist BTAM (Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management) trained staff in determining appropriate intervention steps when students exhibit concerning behaviors. For upcoming BTAM training courses, see our Training Opportunities. The BTAM process continuum includes Triage, Inquiry, Assessment, and Case Management. The Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (WSTAMP) Process Flowchart specifies each step in the process.  The BTAM process is case specific.  Some cases may proceed to the full Assessment process, and others may result in the development of a management plan for a student of concern at the Triage or Inquiry phase.  All cases must be monitored over time.  New information or failure to comply with the case specific management plan may result in plan adjustments or in the initiation of a new Triage/ Inquiry/ Assessment/Case Management process.​​​​​​​

The triage process will be utilized for all reported or observed behavior that communicates a threat (any expression of intent to do harm, acting out violently against someone or something or being in possession of an instrument of harm), and/or when this behavior prompts concern for the student’s safety or the safety (physical or psychological) of others. Primary purposes of the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Triage process are to determine the need for additional investigative steps by the BTAM Team, and to mitigate the grievance or problem behavior.

Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (WSTAMP) - Triage Process

 

The Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Inquiry process guides trained BTAM team members through the investigative steps of gathering information, determining the level of concern for a specific individual, and determining next steps. The inquiry’s guiding questions are in line with existing research and BTAM best practices. 

Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (WSTAMP) Inquiry Process

In Phase I of the Wisconsin Threat Assessment Protocol, the threat assessment team will make a determination that will guide their actions in the following phases. The files listed below should be used to assist in making this determination. 

Required Forms
These forms are required for the treat assessment to be considered valid.

Optional Forms
These optional forms should be used based upon the circumstances of the reported threatening behavior.  You should always be careful to document any information collected that may guide decision making in a threat assessment process.  Proceed with caution when making the decision not to fill out an optional form or complete an optional interview.

If it is determined that Phase II of the threat assessment process will need to be completed, documentation should continue regarding any interviews or investigation that has been completed thus far. The files listed below should be used continue to document the threat.

Required Forms
These forms are required for the treat assessment to be considered valid.

Optional Forms
These optional forms should be used based upon the circumstances of the reported threatening behavior.  You should always be careful to document any information collected that may guide decision making in a threat assessment process.  Proceed with caution when making the decision not to fill out an optional form or complete an optional interview.

Once a Threat Classification has been assigned, a determination regarding the response to that behavior must be made. The files listed below should be used to assist in determining a response. If Phase III is determined to be necessary, all Phase III forms are required for the threat assessment to be considered valid.


Mandatory Reporting of Threats of School Violence


Developing a Multidisciplinary Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team