U of S first major university in Canada to sign on to a CTASP

The Saskatoon and Area Community Threat Assessment and Support Protocol (CTASP) welcomed six new partners committed to building safer communities. Conseil des écoles fransaskoises, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Prairie Spirit School Division, Restorative Action Program, Saskatoon Open Door Society and the University of Saskatchewan joined the previous 13 partners in signing the protocol at an event today.

"The existing 13 partners welcome the six new partners signing on today as the intention is to be inclusive of experts in their areas," said Heather Miller, Manager, Service Delivery, Child and Family Services, Ministry of Social Services. "The multi-disciplinary approach is collaborative and shares responsibility for complicated situations where risk is managed as best it can be to reduce threats of violence.  This is exciting as it is progressive work where the whole community benefits from prevention and intervention.  This is how we get our best services and outcomes to those that need them."

This unique multi-agency protocol, first signed in August 2011, is guided by the principle that violence prevention in schools and neighbourhoods is a community responsibility.  The document enables community partners to proactively share information and advice and to use their broad range of expertise to provide the appropriate supports to youth and their families.

The U of S is the first major university in Canada to sign on to a CTASP.

"The University of Saskatchewan is proud to be a partner with so many other community groups to prevent and reduce school violence," said Dave Hannah, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs at the U of S.  "Together we are making a comprehensive commitment to early intervention and safety in our schools."

Kevin Cameron, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response and an internationally recognized expert, played an important role in the development and ongoing support of the protocol. Mr. Cameron was in attendance at today's re-signing and is leading training with staff members from the CTASP's partners this week in Saskatoon.

"When working with high risk and complex cases, multi-disciplinary and multi-agency collaboration is the only way to do proper assessments and plan lasting interventions," said Mr. Cameron. "With the inclusion of the University of Saskatchewan along with the surrounding school divisions in the community protocol, Saskatoon and region has set themselves apart as the national standard."

Other CTASP partners who re-signed their commitment to the protocol are Saskatoon Public Schools; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Justice, Corrections and Policing's Kilburn Hall Youth Centre, Yarrow Youth Farm and Young Offender Program; Ministry of Social Services; MD Ambulance; Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Services Inc.; Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services; Saskatoon Health Region; Saskatoon and Warman RCMP; and Saskatoon Police Service.

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Jennifer Thoma

University of Saskatchewan

Office: 306-966-1851

jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
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