The purpose of the guide is to help schools develop and implement a comprehensive violence prevention plan. Using evidence-based practices, the guide describes effective action plans that are strategic, coordinated, and comprehensive. The strategies involve schoolwide prevention, early intervention, and intensive services for students with significant emotional or behavioral needs. The guide recognizes understanding the causes of violence and knowledge of evidence-based practices can help schools identify and address early warning signs so children can get the help they need before it is too late. The violence prevention plan advocated in the guide encompasses: (1) identifying and understanding the problem of school violence and its relation to school climate; (2) building a schoolwide foundation that prevents most problems from occurring; (3) recognizing, reporting, and using early warning signs effectively; and (4) developing interventions to respond to students with troubling behaviors.