We all strive to keep our students safe and get them the help they need when they struggle, but we need to go beyond hardening schools to the root of the problem by identifying potential threats and intervening with appropriate support.
Review our School Safety Solutions below
Behavioral threat assessments are a proven method of early intervention that can help prevent acts of targeted violence in school environments. We use an evidence-based…
SRA gives school districts the opportunity to implement a standardized, research-driven procedure to assess a student’s suicide risk…
PCG’s sexual misconduct response (SMR) tool examines sexual misconduct through a normative versus non-normative lens to provide intervention for students…
Featured Course - Behavioral Threat Assessment 101
With the SK Cascade preventive BTA system as a model, this course provides a template for building a sustainable, school-based threat assessment system. Learn More.
Built by educators for educators, PCG’s BTAM solutions enable schools to identify, assess, and manage threats before they escalate. Our solutions are built on nationally recognized models, including the SK Cascade Model, authored by PCG’s resident expert John Van Dreal.
SK Cascade Model
Pioneered by resident BTA expert John Van Dreal, the SK Cascade Model is a set of assessment protocols and safety planning procedures overseen and administered by a multi-discipline collaborative team to promote safe school environments. Learn More.
BTAM Breakdown Podcast
Tune in, learn more, and be part of the solution.
The BTAM Breakdown podcast brings together experts from across the school safety landscape to explore how schools can prevent harm, support students in crisis, and strengthen their overall approach to safety and well-being. Hosted by Jason Matlock and Dr. Julia Hollinger, each episode dives into timely topics, challenges, and success stories that reflect the realities of implementing effective BTAM practices in schools today.
Biography
John Van Dreal has dedicated his career to assisting school districts and other organizations to improve psychological safety and peace of mind by building effective systems for violence prevention, mitigation, and response. Previously John was the director of security, safety, and risk management for the Salem-Keizer School District in Oregon.
During his time with the Salem-Keizer School District John began the development and implementation of the Salem-Keizer Cascade Model, a multiagency student violence prevention and behavioral threat assessment (BTA) system, in 1999. With more than 30 years of experience in preventive BTA and management, psycho-educational evaluation, crisis intervention, behavioral intervention, and security and risk management systems consultation, his program is considered the gold standard by both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Education.
In April 2022, John released a book named “Youth Violence Prevention: The Pathway Back through Inclusion and Connection”. The book emphasizes the importance of early intervention and prevention through BTA. It underscores the significance of providing a positive school environment for the younger generation, which can be achieved by fostering connection, inclusion and prosocial relationship building, as well as restoring positive experiences.