Homestead Schools Adopt M-DCPS Threat Assessment Guide

Homestead schools within the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) district now utilize the comprehensive Threat Assessment/Mental Health Services Guide for School Administrators. The guide mandates procedures for threat assessment and directs administrators to mental health service referrals, enhancing student safety and well-being.

M-DCPS adopted the Florida Department of Education's Office of Safe Schools (OSS) framework for threat assessments on January 1, 2024. This framework aligns with Florida's Harm Prevention and Threat Management Model.

Legislative actions, including Senate Bill 7026 (2018), established the OSS to improve communication between community entities and schools, identify students needing mental health treatment, increase access to care, and prevent critical incidents. Further legislation, Senate Bill 7030 (2019) and House Bill 543 (2023), along with M-DCPS School Board Policy 8405, reinforced the creation of Threat Management Teams.

Each M-DCPS school, including those in Homestead, has a School-Based Threat Management Team (SBTMT). These teams coordinate resources and intervene with individuals whose behavior might endanger school staff or students. A full-time Threat Management Coordinator supports this process. Both the M-DCPS District Threat Management Team and the SBTMTs include personnel with expertise in counseling, instruction, school administration, and law enforcement. The school principal or their designee leads each SBTMT. Teams meet monthly and maintain records of their meetings.

The guide includes sections on threat management protocols and suicide assessments using the SAFE-T Protocol with C-SSRS, alongside mental health services. Appendices offer forms such as the Consent for Mutual Exchange of Information (FM 2128) and the Referral for Contracted Mental Health Services (FM 7740).

Homestead parents and community members can obtain more information from their local school administration or by reviewing the M-DCPS Threat Assessment and Mental Health Services Guide.