Knowledge of and satisfaction with a behavioral intervention team at a large urban southeastern university

Abstract

Background: Campus behavioral intervention teams (BITs) provide early identification of students and/or situations that may be a risk to the community, as well as determine and implement intervention plans for a safe resolution. Methods: An evaluation of 529 faculty and staff was conducted at a large urban, southeastern research university to assess BIT knowledge, triggers for referral, referral self-efficacy, referrals, and satisfaction regarding said university’s BIT (Students of Concern Assistance Team, otherwise known as SOCAT). Results: Findings revealed low levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and referrals among faculty and staff. Utilization of SOCAT resulted in high levels of satisfaction among the process and follow-up outcomes. Discussion: Findings from this study will guide future implementation by highlighting strategies to enhance the referrals to and utility of BITs on college campuses and identifying best practices in improving faculty and staff satisfaction with the referral system process for BITs.

Keywords:

• Behavioral intervention team
• behavioral assessment team
• evaluation
• university

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of University of South Florida.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.