Virginia Center
for School and Campus Safety
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Expand Your Knowledge of Digital Threat Assessment | |
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has partnered with Safer Schools Together (SST) to offer comprehensive online learning materials on digital threat assessment you may not know about. Please join us for an informational webinar on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 10:00 am to learn more about this no-cost benefit for threat assessment team members across the Commonwealth.
The current DCJS/International Center for Digital Threat Assessment (ICDTA®) library boasts:
- eight micro-modules on cyberbullying, vault apps, Snapchat, anonymous apps, etc.
- monthly live webinars on current online behavioral trends
- three-hour virtual training course on fundamentals of digital threat assessment
- a full-day virtual training on digital threat assessment
- a three-hour e-learning digital threat assessment course
- access to complimentary digital resource guides
The purpose of this 45-minute webinar is to share information on these ICDTA® trainings and resources designed to help your teams address challenges as they arise and stay current with the ever-evolving world of social media. Discover how to proactively assess online behavior and identify individuals who may be on the pathway to violence.
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Campus Threat Assessment Team Training | |
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The Code of Virginia § 23.1-805(I) mandates eight hours of initial training and two hours of annual training thereafter for members of campus threat assessment teams. The training is required to be “conducted by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department) or an independent entity approved by the Department.”
DCJS Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety will continue to offer the two-day foundational course in threat assessment to members of campus threat assessment teams as initial training. This includes ten hours of lecture instruction and a practical exercise that gives participants the opportunity to practice the skills learned to meet the code requirements.
VCSCS will recognize the following for the two-hour annual refresher training:
- Live in-person, live virtual, or e-learning threat assessment training modules approved for that purpose and offered by VCSCS.
- Live in-person or live virtual threat assessment training offered through the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center.
- Live-in-person or live virtual threat assessment training offered through the Department of Homeland Security National Threat Evaluation and Reporting (NTER) Program or other live-in-person or live remote threat assessment training delivered by an NTER Master Trainer.
- Live in-person or live virtual threat assessment training offered by the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) or a regional chapter of ATAP.
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Regional “Before, During, and After” Crisis Training Coming Soon
Be on the lookout for a three-part crisis training series across the Commonwealth later this year, complete with in-person, "DIY", and virtual follow-up segments, train-the-trainer materials, reunification materials, and more!
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School Safety Training Forum Save the Date: July 28-30, 2025
Mark your calendars now and plan to join us again at the Hampton Roads Convention Center for "Fostering Resilient Schools: Integrating Culture, Climate, and Safety Strategies.”
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2025 Behavioral Threat Assessment Regional Forums
"Building Safer Communities: Behavioral Threat Assessment in K-12, Higher Education, and Beyond"
October 6-7, 2025 – Abingdon, VA
October 21-22, 2025 – Lynchburg, VA
October 28-29, 2025 – Fredericksburg, VA
On day one of these repeated forums, pre-conference sessions will be offered for K-12 and higher education team members. The second day will feature keynotes from local, regional, and national speakers discussing current issues our K-12 and higher education teams face. More information to come!
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National School Counseling Week
February 3-7, 2025
National School Counselor Week is an excellent time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of school counselors to students' academic and personal development. In Virginia and across the country, school counselors are essential in promoting students' mental health and well-being and providing the support students need to succeed in school and in life.
Counselors at all levels play a pivotal role in helping students navigate personal challenges, including mental health concerns like anxiety or depression, stress management, and interpersonal relationships. Their expertise in providing emotional support and connecting students with appropriate resources is critical to creating a safe and supportive learning environment.
In addition to their work in mental health, Virginia’s school counselors are also deeply involved in guiding students through the college and career planning process. They assist with everything from exploring career interests and developing skills for future employment to navigating the complexities of college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. This guidance helps ensure that students are prepared for life beyond high school, whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce.
During National School Counselor Week, we honor these dedicated professionals for their commitment to shaping students' futures, supporting their mental and emotional health, and empowering them to achieve their dreams. Thank you to all school counselors in Virginia and across the nation for the work you do!
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Ok2SpeakOut is a valuable initiative to enhance safety and awareness in schools across Virginia. By focusing on recognizing and reporting concerning behaviors, the campaign empowers students, parents, and community members to act when they notice something unusual. This initiative offers comprehensive resources, such as training materials, videos tailored for different age groups, and a Behavioral Threat Assessment Resource Toolkit, which are essential for fostering a culture of vigilance and support.
The campaign's core message—that it’s okay to speak out when something seems off—helps normalize communication about concerns, ultimately contributing to a safer school environment. This proactive approach encourages a collaborative effort among all stakeholders in the educational ecosystem. We highly encourage you to utilize and share the website below with your students, staff, and parents.
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Safety Success Stories
We want to hear from you! This year, we will be sharing stories from our readers about the places, policies, programs, and people that have proven successful in your spaces. This is your chance to help others by sharing personal experiences from the field. Fill out the form using the button below for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!
This quarter, we want to honor National SRO Appreciation Day on February 15 by sharing this submission about Suffolk Police Department School Resource Master Police Officer John Lampe. Assistant Principal Tom Kubinak says;
"MPO Lampe was hired in July 2007 and completed training at the Hampton Roads Criminal Justice Training Academy in October 2007. He previously served in the United States Navy from 1986 to 2007, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He has also served with the Suffolk Police Department in their Uniform Patrol and DUI Task Force divisions. Over the course of his career, he has earned multiple certifications, numerous awards, and ancillary duties.
MPO Lampe is a Lakeland Cavalier, just like all of our amazing staff, students, and families. Not only does he serve as a vital link between the school division and our local first responders, but he is also a trusted source of motivation, advice, and safety knowledge for many of our students. His daily safety sweeps inspire confidence in our school community while providing police presence and availability for questions and check-ins. He is a frequent presence at our sporting events, demonstrating his commitment to supporting our students’ safety in both their academic endeavors and extracurricular activities. Lakeland High School is a better, safer place with MPO Lampe as part of it.
MPO Lampe has been instrumental in determining several students' safety while they were off-campus, which has resulted in many positive outcomes. In addition, when it was reported that student A.K. was not attending school, MPO Lampe played a vital role in making contact with the student, determining their safety, and developing a plan to reacclimate the student so they could graduate with their cohort. Through our combined efforts, MPO Lampe included, we can achieve our mission of graduating future-ready young adults."
We are thankful to hear of your successful partnership with SRO Lampe in Suffolk. Do you have an employee, program, or other success story you want to share with others? Fill out this form for consideration in a future newsletter.
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