Threat Assessment Program
Roles and Responsibilities
Assessment and Care Team
The Assessment and Care Team is composed of two full-time Assessment and Care Specialists (ACS) with law enforcement and mental health expertise. This partnership is between University of Iowa Department of Public Safety and Human Resources. The ACS are the primary contacts for the University Community concerned with behaviors and situations which have a potential for self-harm and/or harm to others. The initial contact to the ACS is typically made via phone, and/or email. Currently, serving as Assessment and Care Specialists are Lieutenant Peter Berkson, Certified Peace Officer, University of Iowa Department of Public Safety and Jane Caton, Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), University Human Resources, or their designees.
Their responsibilities include:
- Receiving information about concerning behavior.
- Implementing /coordinating the risk/threat assessment response.
- Discerning trends and/or patterns of at risk and threatening behaviors.
- Providing outreach to the UI Campus and surrounding communities as appropriate.
- Providing education and training for employees, faculty, staff and students.
- Prioritize cases as to the assessed urgency.
Threat Assessment Team
The Threat Assessment Team consists of two full-time Assessment and Care Specialists and representatives from The University of Department of Public Safety, Organizational Effectiveness (OE), The Office of the Dean of Students, University Counseling Service, General Counsel, and Faculty and Staff Services (FSS). This group meets regularly and is responsible for both program development and case management functions of the Threat Assessment Program. When a case is active, other University faculty, staff, employees, and other agencies will be involved as appropriate.
Their responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with the Assessment and Care Specialists.
- Provide new information as necessary regarding current cases.
- Advise on issues related to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
- Provide case specific legal guidance.
- Assist in response to more urgent cases.
Threat Assessment Program Support Network
The UI Threat Assessment Program Support Network consists of individual contacts in various campus departments. These contacts include, but are not limited to, the Provost Office, Office of the Ombudsperson, Housing and Dining, Early Intervention Team, Office of Student Life, Veterans Services, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Carver College of Medicine, Office of the Dean Graduate College.
Assessment Process
Once you have made a report to the Assessment and Care Specialists the following process will be implemented:
- Respond to report as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours
- Identify the subject(s) of concern.
- Collect available information.
- Interview witnesses and subject(s) of concern as appropriate.
- Assess whether subject(s) is an imminent threat to self or others and take appropriate action.
- Develop specific intervention/prevention strategy.
- Facilitate meetings with UI Staff regarding the situation on an as needed basis.
If the report is not seen as appropriate for the Threat Assessment Program, the Assessment and Care Specialist(s) will consult/coach with the caller and make an appropriate referral.
Reporting Threats/Contact Us
If you see any suspicious or threatening behavior, please contact the Assessment and Care Specialist.
- Lieutenant Peter Berkson at 384-2787 (peter-berkson@uiowa.edu)
- Jane Caton, LISW CADC at 384-2955 (jane-caton@uiowa.edu)
You can also e-mail uitat@uiowa.edu about any concerns. An Assessment and Care Specialist will respond within 24 hours of the initial contact.
If you wish to report an incident outside of normal business hours, please email the ACS and/or call The University of Iowa Police Department at 335-5022. If it is an emergency call 911.
An anonymous report can be filed by going to: http://police.uiowa.edu/be-proactive/report-a-crime-on-campus-2/