What’s Next

This training was designed to help you build your competency for identifying persons at risk for targeted violence and making proper referrals. It was also designed to build your knowledge and awareness of a range of prevention approaches to targeted violence.  Now that you’ve completed the online training materials, you should be able to:  

• Define targeted violence 
• Describe the pathway to violence  
• Notice and identify concerning behaviors in an objective and ethical manner 
• Determine if action is needed based on your level of concern 
• Identify appropriate actions to take from a range of options

We hope the training has increased your sense of competence in how to respond to individuals who are demonstrating concerning behaviors as you engage with them in your community.   Your next step is to think about the ways in which the information contained in this training can be put into practice. Thinking about how you might put into action the information and skills learned prior to actually using them can be helpful. You might want to consider: 

• What are one or two things that you can do today based on what you’ve learned? 
• How might you implement the skills and information learned in your job or interactions with others today? 
• What resources in your community are you aware of?  
• What additional resources might be helpful to learn about?  
• What policies in your organization would impact or support your efforts to intervene using the strategies outlined in the training? 
• What policies might you want to suggest to your administrative leaders to support your efforts to intervene using the strategies outlined in the training? 
• Are there particular individuals or practitioners in your community that could be helpful if you had to respond to someone engaging in concerning behaviors? If so, how might you create connections with those individuals if you do not already have existing relationships? 
• If you saw, heard, or learned about something concerning, what actions would you feel most comfortable taking? Remember, your plans might change depending on the person you are concerned about, so you should think about what you would do in different situations. 

Additional Resources 

At the end of this training, you’ll find a resources section that provides additional information about resources in your community. This section also contains information to assist you if you see, hear, or learn about concerning behaviors. This includes:  

• An individual action plan guide that helps you think about how you might respond to seeing, hearing or learning about something concerning 
• A quick guide to behaviors to pay attention to 
• A quick guide on what questions to answer if you should see, hear or learn about something concerning 
• More information about specific types of resources, such as Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Teams 

You may also have the opportunity to participate in a one-hour booster session in person or via video conference. These sessions are designed to assist individuals in applying the knowledge and skills learned during the online training. These sessions will be offered periodically throughout the year and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information about upcoming training or to schedule a training specifically for your community or organization, contact Chloe Polutnik-Smith at cpolut2@uic.edu.