Threat and Suicide Risk Assessment: Developing a Proactive and Consistent Approach to Evaluating Risk

Melissa Reeves

Keynote Speaker
Sunday, March 19, 2023 | 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

ABOUT THIS SESSION: This workshop will focus on the process and procedures needed to establish a consistent school/district-wide approach to threat and suicide risk assessment utilizing a multidisciplinary team. Critical factors discussed will include: current statistics, legal cases, post-incident reviews, and early identification of warning signs, primary prevention strategies to “break the code of silence; an overview of threat and risk assessment models and tools; assessment procedures; and strategies for interventions, postventions, and working with difficult parents. Case study examples and forms will be shared to illustrate the process.

Participants will learn:

• how to establish a consistent school- or district-wide approach to threat and suicide risk assessment.
• the critical factors contributing to risk to include current statistics and early identification of warning signs
• best practice guidelines as established by prior legal cases and lessons learned reports
• primary prevention strategies to break the code of silence
• about a variety of threat and risk assessment models and measures that guide assessment procedures
• strategies for interventions and postvention
• strategies for working with difficult parents
• from case study examples and shared forms that illustrate the risk assessment process

SPEAKER BIO: Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LCMHC is Past-President of the National Association of School Psychologists, a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed clinical mental health counselor, and licensed special education teacher. Most recently she was an Associate Professor at Winthrop University, and has over 20-years’ experience working in public schools, a private school, and day and residential treatment programs. Dr. Reeves is a co-author of the PREPaRE Crisis Prevention and Intervention curriculum and travels nationally and internationally training professionals in crisis prevention and intervention, threat and suicide assessment, trauma and PTSD, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. She is a Senior Advisor for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by two parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy, and senior consultant with Sigma Threat Management Associates, an Ontic company. Dr. Reeves has authored multiple books and publications focusing on school safety and trauma.

Melissa will also be presenting two breakout sessions.

Be the ONE!

John Hodge

Keynote Speaker
Monday, March 20th | 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

ABOUT THIS SESSION: The education of America’s youth is a challenging prospect when one considers the many burdens faced by impoverished children and their families. Research indicates that poverty need not be a barrier to academic excellence. As co-author of the book Standing in the Gap, Dr. Hodge states, “Across the nation, schools are demonstrating that it can be done: That students can reach high standards, that all children can succeed, that the gap between white and minority students, poor and affluent, can be closed.” More often than not, one caring adult can make all the difference in the world. This presentation will encourage all of us to BE THE ONE.

SPEAKER BIO: Dr. John W. Hodge is president and co-founder of Urban Learning and Leadership Center (ULLC), an organization focused on student achievement and reduction of the achievement gap. He has served as a reading teacher, English teacher, AVID teacher, Assistant Principal and Associate Director of AVID Center Eastern Division. He served as Director of An Achievable Dream Academy, an inner city school that piloted many of the interventions used by Urban Learning and Leadership Center. An Achievable Dream Academy is a high performing, high poverty school that has received numerous national awards. Dr. Hodge is also the author of You Can Get in the Way. Prior to his career in education, Dr. Hodge distinguished himself in the service of our country with the 7th Infantry Division of the United States Army.

What sets Dr. John W. Hodge apart in the field of education is his well-documented ability to put research and theory into everyday practice in rural, urban and suburban schools. He has served as an inspirational speaker at national, regional, and statewide conferences across the United States. His presentations are often “the spark” for schools in their quest to meet and exceed state/federal accreditation standards and implement strategies for continuous improvement.