In the aftermath of violent incidents in schools we often ask ourselves, “Didn’t anyone see this coming?”
Since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, followed eight days later by a high school shooting in Taber, Alberta, school officials and community services have known that they need to do everything possible to curb the potential for violence directed at students, staff and school visitors.
Providing a safe learning environment is the focus of the Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol (VTRA), a collaborative partnership developed over the past three years between the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic district school boards, local police services and child/youth service agencies in Wellington and Dufferin counties.
The protocol was formally signed by senior educational administrators and community service leaders on Sept. 11 at 3:30pm in the offices of Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS), 655 Riddell Road, Orangeville.
The protocol helps schools respond quickly to threatening incidents by students such as:
– possession of a weapon or replica weapon;
– bomb threat or plan;
– verbal, written or internet threats to kill or injure oneself or others;
– fire setting; and
– sexual intimidation or assault
Early intervention strategies are developed by multidisciplinary VTRA teams who are trained in the theory and practice of threat-risk assessment. The teams may include the principal or vice-principal, a social worker, child and youth counselor, psychology staff as well as school resource police officers.
The signing was attended by Kevin Cameron, the Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response.
Cameron has been training front line workers including school administrators and staff, and community professionals in the counties of Wellington and Dufferin.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation provided financial support to community organizations for VTRA training, development and implementation so they could participate as full partners with the school boards and police services. Over 50 per cent of Canadian school boards are using the VTRA protocol.
The school boards send letters to parents early in each school year to inform them of the VTRA protocol. The letter and information about VTRA will also be posted on the Upper Grand website.
Personal information shared throughout the process respects and balances each individual’s right to privacy with the need to ensure the safety of all.
Parents are notified if their child is discussed, and are asked to consent. If consent is not granted but a concern for safety exists due to threatening behaviour, the assessment may still proceed.
The VRTA protocol enhances the joint efforts of the community to identify and support children and youth who may be on the pathway to violence.
Community partners attending the signing included:
– Upper Grand District School Board;
– Wellington Catholic District School Board;
– Dufferin Child and Family Services;
– Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County;
– Guelph, Orangeville and Shelburne police services;
– Family Transition Place;
– Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin;
– Wyndham House; and
– John Howard Society Peel-Halton-Dufferin.
For more information: Maggie McFadzen at 519-822-4420 ext. 725 or maggie.mcfadzen@ugdsb.on.ca or Mark Weidmark, at 519-822-4420 ext. 544 or mark.weidmark@ugdsb.on.ca.
