Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

Trinidad State College has developed this manual to provide guidance to the Behavioral Intervention Teams and to educate the college community regarding identifying, responding to, and reporting individuals displaying disruptive, concerning, and/or threatening behavior. The Mission of the Trinidad State Behavioral Intervention Team, (BIT), is to provide a resource dedicated to preserving the safety and well-being of students, faculty staff, and visitors of TSJC through prompt intervention, appropriate referral to services, and follow up to promote student success, in addition to support CCCS board policy 19-40. One of the core values of TSJC is “Students First.” It is with this value in mind that the BIT team operates independently of the Office of Student Conduct to assist students with behavioral issues prior to a conduct referral.

Definitions :

• Behavioral Intervention Team - a centralized, representative group which meets regularly to support its target audience (students, employees, faculty, and staff) via an established protocol. The team receives reports of disruptive, concerning, and/or threatening behavior (from co-workers, community members, friends, colleagues, students, etc.), gathers additional information as required, and participates in recommending appropriate mechanisms for support, intervention, warning/notification and response. The team tracks “red flags” and trends in behavior, and provides feedback to constituents on larger issues of concern within the community.

• Disruptive behavior- consists of words and/or actions which have the effect of interfering with College operations and/or the educational or working environment.

• Concerning behavior- consists of words and/or actions which would cause a reasonable person to believe an individual’s emotional well-being may be at risk.

• Threatening behavior- consists of words and/or actions which would cause a reasonable person to believe an individual may put at risk their own safety or that of other members of the College community.

BIT is not a committee developed to discipline students or address classroom management issues.

Call 911.
Then call a member of the BIT and file an incident report.

If you feel comfortable addressing the student yes. It is best to make sure you document the interaction of any concerning behavior. Feel free to contact a BIT member to help talk to the student and offer resources if needed.

• Disruptive behavior- consists of words and/or actions which have the effect of interfering with College operations and/or the educational or working environment.

• Concerning behavior- consists of words and/or actions which would cause a reasonable person to believe an individual’s emotional well-being may be at risk.

• Threatening behavior- consists of words and/or actions which would cause a reasonable person to believe an individual may put at risk their own safety or that of other members of the College community.

• Disruptive and concerning behavior
• Suicidal ideation (verbal, written or physical evidence)
• Concerns of Drug or alcohol usage or abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Homelessness
• Trouble Grieving
• Violent or threatening behavior towards faculty, staff or students

It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Anyone who has concern about the student. Each person reporting has a different perspective which can help the BIT address the concerns from different angles.

Use the Trinidad Incident Report Form Link and it will be routed to the correct area.

If you have something to report or have a concern about a student please use the link below to send a notice to staff who can help. You may use your name or report anonymously. What is important is to give as much information as possible so help can be provided or a behavior that isn’t appropriate can be addressed.

Not unless you tell them.

You will received a brief notification from the BIT letting you know we have received the report and if we have any additional questions for you. We keep the conversation we have with the student confidential unless we need to comply with mandatory reporting guidelines. Still, limited information is shared about the student after the report is made to protect their rights and confidentiality.

The BIT will meet and determine the best plan of action to contact the student, and determine if anyone on the BIT is more suitable to have a one on one with the student or the whole group should meet with him or her. We develop a timeline and attempt to contact the students and any additional resources we need too. We keep the conversation we have with the student confidential unless we need to comply with mandatory reporting guidelines. Still, limited information is shared about the student after the report is made to protect their rights and confidentiality.

It is the student’s choice to share.

Essentially, we are working together to create a safe learning environment for the student. By reporting to the BIT you are keeping communication within the institution.

You can contact the BIT or the VP of Student Services with additional questions Records at TSJC are considered confidential. Records will be release to faculty & professional staff for authorized college related purposes. For more information about FERPA go to: http://trinidadstate.edu/ferpa/index.html