The Behavioral Intervention Team at Worcester State University takes a multidisciplinary approach to address reports of disruptive, problematic, or concerning student behavior prior to a critical incident and, as recommended by the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association, tracks “red flags” over time, detecting patterns, trends, and disturbances in individual or group behavior. The Behavioral Intervention Team’s response to these reports is a proactive approach that balances the needs of the student who may be/is in crisis and the overall safety of the campus community.
The Assessment Care Team serves as the preliminary assessment team in response to a report from a faculty, staff, or student regarding a student in distress.
Depending on the nature of the report, ACT may either determine a more immediate response and follow-up process, or refer to the Student Intervention Team for further assessment. Members of ACT include, but may not be limited to, the dean of Student Affairs, and assistant dean of Student Affairs/director of Counseling Services.
The ACT Report is the form a member of the Worcester State community submits when he/she/they are concerned about a student. Receipt of this form initiates the ACT process. An ACT team member will review the report, identify the level of concern, gather more information if necessary, and determine whether the case requires a more immediate response, or will be referred to the SIT for further assessment.
The Student Intervention Team is a cross-divisional, multidisciplinary team that meets weekly during the academic year to discuss and assess students whose behavior is of concern. The ACT Report information that may be shared with this group is confidential, utilized to determine where else the student has been identified, and subsequently determines the most appropriate individual(s) to reach out to the student. The SIT response, whenever possible, is aimed at assisting the student(s) by providing them with the necessary support to foster their success as a Worcester State student.
SIT members represent the following departments:
Immediately following the SIT meeting, students will be notified that a member of the SIT may reach out to them to begin the support process.
While the safety and well-being of the WSU community is everyone’s responsibility, ACT and SIT serve as a central place to assess behaviors of concern. All reports must be made in writing. Reports that are filed via telephone must also be submitted in writing by the reporting party within 24 hours of phone contact. The BIT Flow Chart describes the response an ACT Report submission generates.
Any faculty, staff, administrator, or student can make a referral though the ACT Report Form.
ACT Report Form
Note: If there is an imminent threat to anyone’s personal safety or if there is an emergency in progress, contact University Police at 508-929-8911.
