55th Annual JCCASAC Conference

"El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) has a robust Threat Assessment process utilizing best practices in Threat Assessment. EDCOE developed a Level One Threat Assessment tool and trained school staff, SROs, law enforcement, and county mental health agencies to form site-based teams and conduct their own Threat Assessment assessments. They also have a well-established Level Two team consisting of multiple agencies in the county, including County Behavioral Health, CPS, EDC Sheriff’s Office, EDC Probation Department, and EDC DA’s Office. The Level Two Team serves all 15 school districts in El Dorado County. The process is designed to prevent targeted school violence and utilizes best practices in Threat Assessment to address and prevent, address, and provide support to the most volatile youth and families in the county.
This training will provide participants with specific information on how to create and implement their own Threat Assessment process. This will include access to El Dorado County’s Level One Tool and will walk participants through conducting their own Threat Assessment using a real-life scenario. "

ESL educators need purposeful materials to equip justice-impacted youth with skills and confidence to shape their futures. This session will explore how Ellii’s engaging, student-centered, ready-made lessons foster language development, critical thinking, and life skills. Attendees will gain practical strategies to implement Ellii’s lessons immediately, ensuring that students feel supported, empowered, and prepared for lifelong success. With increased confidence in speaking English, students will be able to access new opportunities and create a brighter future.

In a time of escalating student mental health concerns and increasing school safety threats, districts need more than just a checklist, they need a system. This session explores how school leaders can modernize their approach to risk and threat assessments through structured, consistent, and data-informed practices. Attendees will learn how to simplify threat assessment workflows, improve team communication, and proactively identify patterns among moderate to high-risk students. We’ll also share real-world examples of how counties are using technology to enhance intervention strategies, reduce liability, and build safer learning environments for all students.

The Building a Better Brother program is a transformative initiative designed to empower justice-impacted youth by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and social-emotional development, fostering pathways for success beyond the justice system. By integrating entrepreneurship and SEL, this program not only supports rehabilitation and economic empowerment but also cultivates a mindset of resilience, leadership, and self-determination. This workshop will provide attendees with a proven framework for embedding these essential skills within juvenile facilities, demonstrating how strategic mentorship, hands-on business development, and emotional intelligence training can reframe scholars’ perspectives on their potential. Through this holistic approach, scholars are empowered to reclaim their narratives, develop a strong sense of agency, and position themselves as architects of their futures—effectively transforming challenges into opportunities for sustained personal and professional success.

This one-hour interactive session is designed to engage school site administrators and staff in courageous, equity-centered dialogue. Participants will explore the difference between equity and equality, examine how systemic and implicit biases show up in school practices, and reflect on how everyday decisions can impact student access, inclusion, and outcomes.
Participants will engage in real-world scenarios, develop greater self-awareness, and identify practices that can shift their school culture toward greater equity. This session emphasizes reflection, collaboration, and action—empowering educators to lead with courage and commitment in the pursuit of educational justice.