More than 30 education staff and community partners gathered this week for a two-day Violence Threat Risk Assessment training session aimed at strengthening student safety and community collaboration across Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent.
The training was jointly hosted by the Lambton Kent District School Board and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
Participants included representatives from the Sarnia Police Service, Canadian Mental Health Association, Walpole Island First Nation, also known as Bkejwanong Territory, Delaware Nation at Moraviantown, and Safe Schools and Student Support Services teams from both school boards.
The session was facilitated by Kevin Cameron, executive director of the North American Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response. Cameron developed the Violence Threat Risk Assessment model and is recognized nationally for his work in trauma-informed crisis response.
According to organizers, the training focused on improving shared safety protocols, strengthening early-intervention practices and enhancing collaboration between agencies to support safe and inclusive school environments.
“This training reinforces the power of working together,” Mark Houghton, system co-ordinator for safe schools with the Lambton Kent District School Board, said in a statement.
“When community agencies come to the same table, we build a stronger, more coordinated response that supports students with care, dignity, and timely intervention.”
Organizers said the VTRA model emphasizes collaborative assessment, information-sharing and wrap-around supports designed to reduce risk and connect students with help as early as possible.
“Bringing our teams together with our community partners strengthens our collective ability to support students and respond effectively when concerns arise,” Jenifer Morrow, superintendent of student achievement with the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the participation and leadership shown across all organizations involved.”
School officials said the training session reflects ongoing regional collaboration focused on promoting safe and supportive school communities throughout Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent.
