Purpose

This guide provides school multidisciplinary teams with a structured framework for receiving, evaluating, and responding to OK2SAY tips. By utilizing this framework, schools can implement a consistent response strategy that prioritizes:

• Immediate Safety: Rapidly securing the environment and ensuring the well-being of the school community.
• Accurate Assessment: Effectively distinguishing between active threats and individual student distress.
• Appropriate Intervention: Deploying the necessary resources and personnel to address the specific situation.
• Ongoing Support: Ensuring long-term student stability through diligent follow-up and monitoring.

Note on Implementation: The procedures outlined are intended to serve as guiding recommendations. Schools and districts retain full discretion to adapt, refine, or modify these protocols in alignment with their local policies, available resources, and the unique needs of their communities.

🔷 1. Tip Receipt and Initial Review

Objective: Establish situational awareness and confirm tip details.

• Confirm receipt of the OK2SAY tip within the reporting system.
• Identify critical information:
  • Student(s) involved: Primary subject, potential targets, and any witnesses.
  • Nature of concern: Specific behavior or incident reported.
  • Location: On-campus, off-campus (including home or school-sponsored events), or online/digital platforms.
  • Timeline: Determine whether the concern relates to a past event, an active situation, or a potential imminent threat.

• Classify the tip:
  • Bullying and Cyberbullying: Harassment, social media issues, and intimidation.
  • Suicide Threats and Self-Harm: Concerns about a student's safety or mental health.
  • Weapons and Violence: Possession of weapons, threatened violence, or assault.
  • Mental Health Crisis: Intense stress, anxiety, or depression.
  • Substance Abuse: Alcohol or drug misuse.
  • Sexual Misconduct: Sexual harassment, assault, or exploitation.
  • Other Criminal Activity: Theft, stalking, or threats.

Pro-Tip: Early classification determines whether the response leans toward threat assessment (secure/investigate) or student distress (support/stabilize).

🔷 2. Immediate Safety Assessment

Objective: Determine urgency and the necessity for instant protective action.

• Evaluate critical safety indicators:
• Is anyone in immediate, life-threatening danger?
• Is there confirmed access to or mention of a weapon?
• Is there a specific target, actionable plan, or imminent timeline?

• If an immediate threat is identified:
• Notify administration and the School Resource Officer (SRO) immediately.
• Initiate school emergency protocols (e.g., Secure Mode, Lockdown) if required.
• Do not delay protective actions while waiting for additional information.

Guiding Principle: When in doubt, err on the side of safety.

🔷 3. Activate the School Safety Team

Objective: Ensure a coordinated, multidisciplinary response.

• Notify the core team:
• Administration: Principal or Assistant Principal.
• Security: School Resource Officer (SRO).
• Mental Health: Counselor, Social Worker, or Psychologist.
• Health: School Nurse (if medical/substance concerns are present).
• Other Professionals: As needed

Best Practice: Avoid working in isolation; shared situational awareness reduces risk and liability.

🔷 4. Identify & Locate Students

Objective: Ensure student accountability and physical safety.

• Identify all students named, involved, or implied in the tip.
• Verify current location: Classrooms, common areas, off-campus, or home.
• Ensure appropriate supervision is in place once the student is located.
• Discretion: Avoid alerting peers or the student body unnecessarily to maintain privacy.

🔷 5. Conduct Initial Interviews

Objective: Gather facts while maintaining a supportive, professional tone.

• Interview the student of concern: Use a calm, non-accusatory approach. Prioritize rapport-building to encourage honesty.
• Utilize open-ended prompts:
• "Can you help me understand what has been going on lately?"
• "How have things been feeling for you at school and home?"
• "We received a concern about your safety; can we talk about that?"

• Interview witnesses: Speak with peers or staff to corroborate information.

Note: For distress cases, use supportive language. For threat cases, focus on documenting intent and capability while maintaining procedural integrity.

🔷 6. Assess Student Well-Being

Objective: Identify underlying needs and the specific level of risk.

• Evaluate for contributory factors:
• Mental health crises or recent traumatic stressors.
• Bullying victimization or peer conflict.
• Fixation, grievances, or unusual interest in violence.

• Determine Action Path:
• Conduct a suicide risk or wellness screening (if indicated).
• Initiate a formal Threat Assessment Team (TAT) review if a risk to others exists.

🔷 7. Review & Preserve Evidence

Objective: Validate information to support data-driven decision-making.

• Review relevant digital materials: Social media posts, text logs, and images.
• Preserve evidence: Take screenshots or secure physical items immediately.
• Coordinate with the SRO: Utilize law enforcement expertise for digital forensics or legal considerations.

Reminder: Do not delete or alter potential evidence during the investigation.

🔷 8. Determine Response Pathway

Objective: Match the intervention to the identified level and type of risk.

• Safety & Threat-Based Actions: Weapon searches (if justified), increased security supervision, law enforcement coordination, or TAT protocols.
• Support & Distress-Based Actions: Counseling referrals, safety planning, and immediate parent/guardian notification.
• Administrative Actions: Conflict mediation or disciplinary consequences in alignment with district policy.

Focus: Safety first, followed by accountability and long-term support.

🔷 9. Documentation

Objective: Maintain clear, accurate, and confidential records.

• Document all steps taken:
• Summary of the original tip.
• List of individuals interviewed and key findings.
• Final decisions made and the rationale behind those choices.

• Compliance: Ensure all documentation follows district policy and FERPA/privacy laws.

Note: Quality documentation ensures continuity of care and provides protection for all parties involved.

🔷 10. Follow-Up & Monitoring

Objective: Ensure continued safety and the effectiveness of interventions.

• Verify supports: Confirm the student has attended counseling or that the safety plan is active.
• Monitor behavior: Schedule "check-ins" to watch for escalation or recurrence of the issue.
• Close the loop: Submit the required OK2SAY Outcome Report to provide closure on the tip.

🔑 Core Principles for Effective Response

• Urgency: Act quickly whenever safety is at risk.
• Differentiation: Clearly distinguish between threat and distress but be prepared for overlap.
• Collaboration: Always utilize a team-based, multidisciplinary approach.
• Dignity: Prioritize student support and maintain professionalism throughout the process.
• Accountability: Document thoroughly and ensure consistent follow-through.