Tip of the Week: BIT Standards for Higher Education – Standard 15 

By Aaron L. Austin, Ed.D., Consultant, TNG Consulting, LLC 

Next, in our series on NABITA’s Industry Standards for Behavioral Intervention Teams, we review Standard 15, which explores interventions. The following will provide recommendations for best practices that can help a BIT ensure they are initiating the appropriate interventions to meet the needs of the individual, respond to the referred behavior, and address safety-related concerns.  

Standard 15. Interventions: The team clearly defines its actions and interventions for each risk level on the BIT’s objective risk rubric. 

A BIT must follow a three-step process for each referral received by the team. This process consists of 1) Gathering data, 2) Assessing risk by applying an evidence-based risk rubric, and 3) Initiating interventions. It is important that interventions are only initiated after the BIT has assessed risk using an objective risk rubric. Not following this process opens the team up to the risk of either over-reacting to the referral or under-reacting, thus not providing the individual or the community with the response or intervention needed for safety.  

Teams using the NABITA Risk Rubric to assess the risk of every referral have the benefit of having a designated catalog of interventions aligned with each risk level. These may include, but are not limited to, additional information gathering and follow-up with referral sources; case management; referral to support resources; parental/guardian notification; welfare or safety checks; and mandated assessments. It is important to remember that not every intervention within a given risk level will be necessary. Teams should consider the list of interventions within each risk level as a selection of tools. Not all tools will be needed for each job, but some jobs may require more than one. Additionally, the duration and frequency of interventions may vary based on the level of risk and response to the individual’s unique presenting concerns.  

Overstepping their authority is a mistake BITs often make. The team can mandate assessments, but it cannot mandate compliance with any other intervention. Further, the team does not have direct disciplinary authority, nor should it make determinations about interim actions, sanctions, or other disciplinary actions (e.g., suspensions, holds on accounts, or access restrictions). 

Practical tip: If an intervention involves a connection to a community or campus resource, it is important to solidify that connection through an integrated process. It can be overwhelming for individuals to make the connection, so they may need the BIT/case manager’s support. Consider the following tips when making a referral or connection to a resource: 

1. Discuss the referral with the individual and explain what they can expect from the resource. 
2. Help the individual make the appointment by scheduling it with them while they are in your office or by walking them to the resource. 
3. Obtain a Release of Information (ROI), when needed, to ensure that there can be appropriate and timely updates with the referral source. 
4. Provide a memo to the referral source to explain how they can assist the individual.  
5. Set a follow-up with the individual to discuss the meeting with the resource. 

Stay tuned for the remaining Tips of the Week in the BIT Standards refresh series.