This is a book about behavioral threat assessment that focuses on prevention and early intervention. It's about thoughtful connection, inclusion, prosocial relationship building, and the restoration of meaningful and positive experiences for young people within the school environment. It's about the importance of staying objective, avoiding assumptions, and eliminating prejudgment. Finally, it's about redirecting that person to constructive, nonviolent solutions and avoiding arrest, institutionalization, or worse.

John Van Dreal is a school psychologist and the retired director of Safety and Risk Management Services for the Salem-Keizer School District.