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C.A.S.T.

Capability Alignment for Standards in Threat Management

At Key Operational Insights (K.O.I.), we recognized a critical need in the field of violence prevention and threat management, a need to move beyond scattered practices, inconsistent training, and unclear role expectations. While passionate and capable individuals are carrying out the work of protecting lives, the field has lacked the structure, standards, and professional benchmarks seen in other high-stakes disciplines. That’s why we developed the C.A.S.T.™ Model, Capability Alignment for Standards in Threat Management.

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C.A.S.T.™ is a tiered framework designed to guide organizations and professionals in building competency-based, defensible, and scalable threat assessment and management programs. Instead of focusing solely on job titles or credentials, C.A.S.T.™ emphasizes the functional capabilities required to carry out core threat assessment and violence prevention tasks organized across three progressive tiers.

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Through tailored training, capability assessments, and hands-on learning experiences, K.O.I. helps professionals and teams navigate the C.A.S.T.™ tiers with clarity and purpose. Whether you're just starting in the field or leading an enterprise-level threat management program, we provide the tools, structure, and mentorship to elevate your practice and align your violence prevention program with professional standards that demonstrate academic and practical considerations. Let K.O.I. help you build a defensible, mission-driven program that doesn’t just meet a compliance checkmark but actively elevates violence prevention functions.

WHY THIS MATTERS

In a field where decisions may affect lives and institutional liability, BTAM practices must be credible, verifiable, and defensible. As BTAM programs grow across education, healthcare, corporate, and government sectors, so does the scrutiny placed upon them, particularly in the aftermath of incidents. Without clearly defined standards, organizations risk:

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  • Legal liability for negligent prevention efforts or failure to act.

  • Discrediting their BTAM programs due to insufficient qualifications.

  • Reputational damage when unqualified personnel make high-stakes decisions.

 

​If challenged in court or subjected to public inquiry, an organization must be able to demonstrate that its practitioners were appropriately trained, supervised, and operating within defined scopes of practice. The C.A.S.T.™ framework helps ensure both public safety and organizational accountability by defining tiers of professional expertise and a pathway for compliance.

scales of justice on teal background

3-TIER FRAMEWORK

Student and Tutor

Tier 1: Entry-Level Practitioner – Minimum Competency

 
For entry-level practitioners, new team members, or professionals from adjacent fields (e.g., HR, school admin, security) beginning their work in BTAM. Tier 1 practitioners understand BTAM foundational theory, complete baseline training, and participate in supervised practice but do not yet operate independently.

Key Capabilities:

  • Basic understanding of targeted violence.

  • Knowledge of reporting mechanisms and triage protocols.

  • Ability to support data collection, documentation, and participate in multidisciplinary teams.

  • Behavioral threat assessment and management mechanisms.

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Tier 2: Practitioner – Independent Minimum Competency

Tier 2 professionals have progressed from foundational training and supervised practice to become capable of managing BTAM cases without a higher level of supervisory expertise. They operate with professional autonomy within their organizational scope, interpret and apply policies, and adapt protocols to real-world situations. They also serve as mentors to Tier 1 practitioners and help reinforce professional standards through structured guidance.

Tier 2 practitioners build upon the formal education and supervised practice acquired in Tier 1. Their development reflects deeper field experience, case leadership, and cross-disciplinary fluency. In addition to managing cases, Tier 2 professionals play a critical role in growing the field by supervising Tier 1 members and contributing to the development of organizational and regional BTAM capacity.
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Key Capabilities:

  • Proficiency in structured professional judgment models.

  • Leading or coordinating BTAM cases.

  • Communicating findings, developing risk mitigation plans, and supporting case management.

  • Mentoring Tier 1 professionals.

Professional Female
Professional Male

Tier 3: Expert Practitioner – Consultant Equivalent

Tier 3 professionals represent the highest level of demonstrated expertise in BTAM. These are senior-level consultants or institutional leaders who shape policy, manage the most complex cases, and drive professional growth in the field. They provide consultation across sectors and guide organizational implementation and reform.

  

Tier 3 practitioners are distinguished by depth and breadth of experience, the ability to influence policy, and a commitment to scholarship and mentorship. They have not only mastered the foundational and practical competencies but also expanded their role to include thought leadership, legal risk mitigation strategy, and systemic capacity building.

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Key Capabilities:

  • Designs and evaluates BTAM programs and policies

  • Provides strategic consultation to organizations or jurisdictions

  • Conducts training, mentoring, and oversight for Tier 1 and 2 practitioners

  • Integrates threat management functions with legal, mental health, and protective intelligence systems

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