Two schools, First Nation join Saskatoon-area safety protocol
- NC Raine | April 27, 2018
Two schools and one First Nation in Saskatchewan are committing to a safety protocol in order to better respond to trauma and build healthy, safer communities.
The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), Great Plains College, and Whitecap Dakota First Nation are the three newest partners to join the 19 others in the Saskatoon and Area Community Threat Assessment and Support Protocol (CTASP). The multi-disciplinary protocol includes training in violent threat risk assessment (VTRA), community threat assessment, and family assessment and intervention.
Kevin Cameron, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response, helped in the development and support of Saskatchewan's safety protocol. He has previously played a crucial role in responding to both La Loche and Humboldt Broncos tragedies, where he worked to develop strategies to aid those affected.
“Multi-disciplinary approaches and multi-agency collaborations are the only way to do proper assessments and plan lasting interventions when working with high risk and complex cases,” said Cameron.
“This signing with the new partners is exciting as it is progressive work where prevention and intervention benefit the entire community.”
Cameron, an expert in traumatic stress, was called in by officials after the Columbine High School mass-shooting, as well as the Bathurst High tragedy, spoke highly during the protocol signing Thursday of the response by Saskatchewan people in the face of adversity.
“Watching what happened in La Loche when everyone heeded the call, and watching everyone heeded the call in Humboldt, that stuff only works really well when there's a certain degree of respect, he said. “In terms of providing a standard of how we should conduct ourselves, Saskatchewan is on top of the list.”
First signed in 2011, the CTASP is predicated on the principle that violence prevention in schools and neighbourhoods is a community responsibility. The document allows partners to share information and advice to provide appropriate support to youth and families.
“There's no doubt in my mind that VTRA has been a catalyst that has brought many of us in a deeper working relationship with one another,” said Tracy Muggli, Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Saskatchewan Health Authority. “We found ourselves looking to each other for support and expertise outside of having to use this protocol.”
“You hope you never need it but you're sure thankful to have the skills when you do,” she added.
The 19 CTASP partners welcoming SIIT, Great Plains College, and Whitecap Dakota First Nation include the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Public Schools, Ministry of Justice, and the Saskatoon Police Service, among others.
“The intention of today's signing is to collaborate with each of the new and existing partners in order to manage the risks and reduce the threats of violence within our community as best we can,” said SIIT President Riel Bellegarde. “We take the health and safety of the staff and students here very seriously, and we're in a much better place as a result of this partnership.”