Developing a Coaching and Technical Assistance Model for Threat Management Teams Using an Implementation Science Framework

School safety is a top priority for school districts across the United States. For decades, researchers and practitioners have sought the most effective ways to address violence concerns. In 2023, Florida began training school-based threat management teams (SBTMTs) in a new threat management model: The Florida Harm Prevention and Threat Management Model. One challenge arising from implementing new practices and procedures is ensuring that school staff are equipped to apply the newly acquired knowledge and skills effectively. This article outlines the conceptual development process and novel application of an evidence-based coaching model, Practice-Based Coaching (PBC), rooted within an implementation science framework and designed to be integrated alongside threat management procedures in school settings. Researchers conducted focus group interviews with three middle school-based threat management teams and the district mental health clinician coaching team to gather feedback on the pilot implementation of PBC for SBTMTs process for further development. Qualitative analysis of the focus group interview results highlight the importance of gathering data through a team needs assessment and the benefits of ongoing feedback from a collaborative partnership with district-level mental health clinician coaches. Implications and directions for future model development are discussed.