SAC Risk Assessment & Management 3

Question 1

A student reports that a friend confided plans to bring a weapon to school next week. Under threat assessment protocols, what is the counselor's FIRST priority?

Accepted Answer

Notify school administration and follow the threat assessment protocol

Answer

Threats of violence require immediate notification to administration so that a formal threat assessment team can convene and determine safety measures.

Question 2

Which model is most widely adopted by U.S. schools for structured threat assessment of potentially violent students?

Accepted Answer

Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines (VSTAG)

Answer

The Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines (VSTAG), developed by Dewey Cornell, is the most empirically supported and widely adopted school-based threat assessment model in the U.S.

Question 3

Under the Virginia Threat Assessment Guidelines, a 'transient threat' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

An expression of frustration without genuine intent to harm

Answer

Transient threats are expressions of anger or frustration that, upon brief inquiry, are not accompanied by genuine intent to harm and can be resolved quickly.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a safety plan developed with a student at risk of self-harm?

Accepted Answer

To provide the student with structured coping steps during a crisis

Answer

A safety plan equips the student with personalized, sequential coping strategies and trusted contacts to use when distress escalates before professional help is reached.

Question 5

A no-harm contract (also called a 'no-suicide contract') is considered by current research to be:

Accepted Answer

Insufficient alone and not a replacement for a comprehensive safety plan

Answer

Research has consistently found no-harm contracts ineffective at reducing suicidal behavior and they should not substitute for a comprehensive safety plan and clinical intervention.

(SAC) Student Assistance Counselor Certification Practice Test

(SAC) Student Assistance Counselor Certification Practice Test

SAC Risk Assessment & Management 3