Board hears district threat and risk‑assessment protocols; Northwell partnership cited for same‑day crisis care

The Hendrick Hudson Central School District board received an overview on Dec. 16 of the district’s procedures for threat and risk assessments and associated mental‑health supports.

Christopher Moreno, the acting director of pupil personnel services, told the board the district uses a Columbia model instrument for suicide/self‑harm risk assessments and a nationally recognized CSAT model for threat assessments. “We use the CSAT model because it is a nationally recognized evidence based instrument,” he said, describing building‑level teams made up of a building administrator, an SRL and mental‑health professionals who convene when a presented threat arises and then create safety plans and specific interventions.

Moreno emphasized staff training to help educators identify risk statements and detailed a tiered response that includes building‑level check‑ins and referrals to school‑based services. He also highlighted a new partnership intended to expand access to clinical care: the district now works with Northwell Health (Mount Kisco office) to provide same‑day crisis intervention and same‑week appointments for non‑crisis coordination of care. “They offer same day crisis intervention,” Moreno said, noting the partnership reduces reliance on emergency‑room care and long outside‑provider wait lists.

Administrators said these assessments and subsequent safety plans have the goals of reducing suspensions and arrests, improving student‑adult communication and providing earlier reporting of concerns. Board members thanked presenters and were invited to ask follow‑up questions about implementation and staffing; no policy vote was taken on these protocols during the meeting.