The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to promoting the safety, well-being, and success of the college community. The team works to identify, assess, and respond to concerning or disruptive behaviors that may indicate a need for support or may pose a potential risk to individuals or the college community.

The goal of the BIT is early identification and intervention. By addressing concerns as early as possible, the team can connect individuals with appropriate resources and support, address concerning behaviors, and help prevent situations from escalating.

A Research-Informed Approach

Hagerstown Community College’s BIT is a member of the National Association for Behavioral Intervention Teams (NABITA). The team utilizes evidence-informed behavioral assessment and threat assessment tools recommended by NABITA. These tools help the team systematically evaluate concerns, identify potential risk factors and protective factors, and determine appropriate interventions and support.

Some of the assessment tools utilized by the BIT include:

• NABITA Risk Rubric – Objective risk rubric to assess overall risk level
• STRAND – Screening Tool for Risk Assessment of Narrative Data
• NAS – Non-clinical Assessment of Suicide Tool
• SIVRA – Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment
   

These tools are used as part of a comprehensive assessment process and are not intended to predict future behavior or serve as a diagnosis. The BIT considers the totality of available information, the circumstances surrounding a concern, and the individual’s needs when determining an appropriate response.

When Should I Make a BIT Referral?

You do not need to determine whether a situation is serious enough for a BIT referral. If you are concerned about a student or member of the college community due to troubling, odd, bizarre, or concerning behavior, making a referral allows the team to evaluate the concern and determine whether additional support or intervention may be appropriate.

Examples of concerns that may be referred to the BIT include:

• Abuse, physical or mental
• Aggressive behavior
• Bizarre behavior
• Disruptive behavior
• Inappropriate anger/irritation
• Incoherent speech
• Risk to others
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Substance abuse
• Suicide risk

When making a referral, please provide as much factual and specific information as possible. This may include what you observed or were told, when and where the behavior occurred, and any other information that may help the team understand the concern.

Make a BIT Referral

If you have a concern about a student or another member of the college community, please complete the Behavioral Intervention Team Referral Form.

When in doubt, make a referral. There is an option when completing the referral, to check the Information Only box. This allows you to simply share information with the team and put something on the team’s radar. A referral does not mean that an individual is being accused of wrongdoing or that disciplinary action will occur. It simply allows the BIT to review the concern and determine what, if any, response or support may be appropriate.