Early Alert Program

Safety on our campuses and in our communities is everyone’s responsibility. Report behavior you believe to be a potential concern and help our community members get the assistance and services they might need.

Reporting site — www.altoona.psu.edu/secure/earlyalert

Share a concern about a threat to the safety of others or community. The main purpose of the program is to be proactive in providing early intervention. The Early Alert System is a reporting system for concerns related to threats to safety as it pertains to students, faculty and /or staff.

What is the goal of the program?

Early identification of students or faculty/staff that are at risk in the following area:

  • Exhibiting behaviors or expressing comments which have the potential to impact the safety of self or others.

For mental health emergencies related to imminent danger to self or others please call 911.

How does this work?

Submit concerns at www.altoona.psu.edu/secure/earlyalert. The site is monitored daily; and submissions are screened for priority standing. Referral sources are automatically notified by the system when their web-based form is received. The Early Alert Committee meets weekly to review the information submitted and determine appropriate disposition. Referrals will be made to the appropriate campus departments or community agencies. All submissions and interventions are documented and records are confidentially maintained.

This early identification system is not meant to replace campus policies and procedures which are currently in effect. It should only be used if other direct methods have been tried and failed.

What about confidentiality?

All information is kept confidential by all members. Information regarding students may be shared on a strictly “need to know” basis in order to refer the student to the correct campus resource or intervene as appropriate. FERPA allows for communication to be shared among “school officials” who have a legitimate educational interest. Under FERPA, there is clear exception for any risks to health or safety. Faculty/staff issues will only be viewed by Human Resources officials to determine appropriate action.