Behavior Threat Assessment teams are charged with helping to ensure a safe, secure school environment, help prevent targeted violence in schools, identify students with behaviors of concern, and identify intervention measures for such students. The Behavior Threat Assessment team is a group of trained staff that convene to identify, evaluate, and address threats or potential threats to school security. The Avalon Stone Harbor Schools believe that the mental health of our students is of the utmost importance.  Using the threat assessment process will allow staff to address potential acts of school violence while providing positive behavioral, social, and emotional support.

Behavior Threat Assessment Teams shall be multidisciplinary in membership and include:
a school psychologist; school counselor; school social worker or other school employees with expertise in student counseling; a teaching staff member; a school principal or other senior school administrator; a safe schools resource officer or school employee who serves as a school liaison to law enforcement; and the designated school safety specialist. 

Official "Behaviors of Concern" 

NJDOE's Defines Concerning Behavior to include: 

• Aberrant Behavior: Actions, statements, or responses that are unusual for the person or situation and cause concern for the well-being of the person or others.
• Concerning Communication: Unusual, bizarre, or threatening messages (written, oral, or digital) that allude to violent intentions, hopelessness, or suicide.
• Prohibited Behaviors: Specific acts that trigger an immediate response, such as bringing a weapon to school, physical violence, or direct threats.
• Concerning behavior does not necessarily imply or predict that an individual or group will become violent. Instead, it serves as an indicator that the student may be in need of intervention or increased support. Proactive intervention and de-escalation are key and should be part of any approach to violence prevention.

Brief Review of the Process:

1. Report a concern (via anonymous reporting button on our website Anonymous Reporting Link)
2. Screen the Concern: the team (Administrator + Mental Health professional) does a quick check to see if the threat is "substantive."
3. Inquire:  If there is credibility to the report, the team gathers facts in the form of interviews, social media checks, record review and talking to teachers, etc. 
4. Support: If a risk is found, a Management Plan is created to support the student; parents are consulted and the home school collaboration provides a wrap around care for the student. This could include a "Check-in/Check-out" mentor, outside counseling, or adjusted schedules.

If a student has an IEP or 504 plan, the BTAM team must consult with the student's IEP/504 team. This ensures that the behavior is evaluated in the context of the student’s disability and that all federal protections (like IDEA) are followed.

For a life-threatening emergency, always dial 911.

An emergency is considered to be any serious and sudden medical, emotional, or behavioral health situation that, if not given immediate professional attention, could lead to your child being severely harmed or possibly harming someone else.

If you have an emergency situation involving your child that is life-threatening, seek help immediately by dialing 911.

New Jersey's suicide prevention line, NJ Hopeline, is available by phone (855-654-6735), chat, text and email. The U.S. line for individuals with suicidal thoughts is 800-273-TALK.