Background
This administrative procedure is one aspect of developing welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning and working environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self. This administrative procedure is to be used in conjunction with A.P. 905 – Student Conduct and A.P. 906 – Weapons in Schools.
Grasslands Public Schools has established a VTRA protocol which outlines a collaborative response to all behaviours that may pose a potential risk for violence to children/youth, staff and members of the community. The protocol will ensure common understanding of the Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) process, and encourage the development of common responses, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach. A multidisciplinary team affords a more complete understanding of the dynamics involved in the lives of those individuals making the threats and presenting the risks. The VTRA protocol encourages collaborative planning among children/youth, families, schools and community agencies to reduce violence and to reflect safe, caring and restorative approaches. It fosters timely sharing of information about children/youth who pose a risk for violence towards themselves or others while respecting an individual's right to privacy to the fullest extent possible. The protocol promotes supportive interventions and preventative plans being put into place.
The Grasslands Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol is the result of ongoing commitment and cooperation between central office, schools, parents and community agencies, all of whom are committed to making our schools and communities safe. In addition, Grasslands School Division is part of the South East Alberta VTRA Community Protocol with RCMP, Children's Services, Medicine Hat School Division, Medicine Hat Catholic School Division and Prairie Rose School Division.
Structure
Fair Notice: Prior to any VTRA protocol being implemented, all students, staff and parents/guardians should be provided with information about the protocol and procedures so fair notice is given that violence and threats of violence will not be tolerated. School division personnel and school principals should take the lead in promoting the protocol to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the Grasslands Public Schools jurisdiction-wide procedure and that a consistent message is given regarding its use.
Stage 1: Data Collection and immediate risk reducing intervention.
VTRA multidisciplinary teams should, when and where possible, include the following professionals and others as the School VTRA team deems appropriate.
- School Administrator and/or designate
- VTRA Level II School based counsellor or district designate
- Trained staff member
- School Resource Officer (SRO) or VTRA trained RCMP Member
The initial data collection can often be accomplished in one or two hours.
Stage 2: May expand the multidisciplinary team to allow for a more comprehensive risk evaluation. This team may include some or all of the following:
- Jurisdictional VTRA Leads and/or Jurisdictional leadership,
- Police,
- Psychology, psychiatry, mental health, developmental pediatricians and /or family physician,
- Child protection, youth probation and other provincial personnel,
This second stage is focused on further data collection beyond the initial data set obtained by the Stage 1 Team and as such, the Stage 2 multidisciplinary team members are charged with a further risk assessment and evaluation.
Stage 3: This stage requires reconvening all the Stage I and/or Stage II team members who are involved in the case at hand. The purpose is to monitor, evaluate, and when necessary, revise the intervention plan. The organization that will take the lead at this point is the one that is most appropriate at the time. In complex cases, one organization may take the initial lead but after stabilization another may assume the leadership/coordinating role. In the absence of community agencies, the school based administrator or designate will assume the leadership role.
For access to the complete Grasslands Public Schools VTRA Protocol please go to the Grasslands website: Our Board – Administrative Procedures – Section 9: Students – Grasslands VTRA Protocol.