D. Stafford & Associates provides an array of consulting services related to behavioral intervention and threat assessment teams. These services can be tailored to meet the unique needs of client institutions and can be bundled with other consulting services (such as Clery Act assessments and/or Student Conduct Consulting Services).
Assessment of Behavioral Intervention Team/Threat Assessment Team Procedures and Practices
DSA will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) and/or Threat Assessment Team (TAT) procedures, practices and structure. DSA will conduct interviews with up to 3-4 key units/staff members prior to reviewing the procedures to enhance our understanding of the current practices and challenges being faced by campus professionals.
Interviews of key staff members on campus may include the following:
- Dean of Students
- Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety
- Senior Conduct Officer
- Counseling Director
- Title IX Coordinator
- Other key stakeholders identified by the institution
Deliverables:
- A track-changed version of any relevant BIT or TAT documents (such as written procedures outlining referral and assessment processes) containing proposed edits and comments for the institution’s consideration (specific documents to be reviewed by DSA will be identified in a Scope of Work);
- A written report that summarizes stakeholder feedback and details key findings and recommendations for improving implementation of the BIT and/or TAT; and
- A close-out meeting (conducted via telephone, videoconferencing, or in-person) to address any lingering questions or concerns related to edited documents and/or the findings and recommendations.
Behavioral Intervention Team/Threat Assessment Team Development
DSA can assist institutions in developing a process and structure for a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), Threat Assessment Team (TAT), or both. DSA will outline options for the “system” or protocol under which the BIT and/or TAT would operate for discussion and decision by the appropriate institutional officials. DSA will also assist in developing the policy, reporting procedures, and processes for the BIT and/or TAT.
Deliverables:
- A detailed report that addresses the following:
- Review mission (BIT v TAT)
- Review various tools
- Team composition
- Reporting Mechanisms
- Mitigation Plan
- Response
- Assessment Process and intervention
- Other topics as agreed upon by DSA and the institution
- Draft policy and/or procedure documents (specific documents to be developed by DSA will be identified in a Scope of Work); and
- A close-out meeting (conducted via telephone, videoconferencing, or in-person) to address any lingering questions or concerns related to draft documents and/or the findings and recommendations.
Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT) Tabletop Exercise
The Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT) Tabletop Exercise is an interactive simulation where your institution’s BIT/TAT Team personnel will conduct a tabletop exercise starting from the receipt of a referral through the threat assessment process. DSA can provide a scope that outlines the specific elements that will be included in the simulation.
Immediately following the exercise, DSA will conduct a debrief with the team. The debrief will be a facilitated discussion on what went well, identifying potential areas for improvement, and what the next steps would be for the team in this type of case.
Behavioral Intervention Team/Threat Assessment Team Training Classes for Institutions, Consortia, or Systems of Higher Education
D. Stafford & Associates provides on-site or virtual training classes for individual institutions of higher education as well as consortia or systems that wish to bring BIT/TAT training to their employees/members. DSA will suggest the involvement of various campus administrators, depending on the identified needs of the institution.
If a campus is having a specific challenge regarding their BIT/TAT and would like the training to focus on those areas, DSA can customize the training to fit the institution’s needs.
In a team or individual setting, DSA has experienced instructors who can deliver programs for new threat team members just getting started, to experienced and established team members and teams.
Depending on the level of experience and training needed, DSA uses a modular approach. From lectures to hands on behavioral intervention team and/or threat assessment scenarios, these classes are geared to give practical and actionable information. The courses will guide professionals to identify threats, mitigate threats from developing further, intervening, response protocols, managing the fear, and managing actual incidents. Additionally, training will help teams in utilizing case and record management tools in support of behavioral intervention and threat assessment goals.
The modular approach is flexible in half-day, full-day, or longer courses.