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.
This book holds a ton of helpful resources and tools for school staff but is SUPER EASY to read. Dr. Reeves reviews the 8 step process of quality BTAM, the why and how behind the importance of school teams, and most importantly ways to help students the ensure their success. Additionally, the importance of quality SEL and understanding the difference between MAKING and POSING a threat. If your school or school district needs guidance on how to establish protocols and teaming then this is your go to resource. Shannon Dobson Behavior Specialist and Educator, Instagram @basicallybehavior This book is great not just for counselors, but also administrators, district-level teams, SRO's, and school boards. It has tons of relevant and timely information packed into one short and easy-to-read resource. I would recommend this book for a summer book study for all educational leaders and school boards. This guide goes into the 8 Steps of establishing a quality BTAM process (a system used by the Secret Service!). It looks at threat assessments through an educational MTSS lens and that of a law enforcement side - a marriage of two agencies. I found so many parts of this book relevant, so it's important for schools at every grade level. High school counselors you will find this book very helpful! Laura Filtness School Counselor, Instagram @pawsitiveschoolcounselor