University of Alaska AnchoragePresentation for Governance Board

An Introduction:Careteam University of Alaska Anchorage Behavioral Intervention Team

Dean of Students OfficeUniversity of Alaska Anchorage

Part OneUAA Careteam

o Since 1966, there have been 88 shooting deaths at various U.S. universities and college campuses

o In 2000 the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management was founded (NCHERM)

o In 2009 the National Association for Behavioral Intervention Teams Association was formed

o In 2010 UAA started formalizing the foundation for a Behavior intervention team—Using the Best Practice in the Field

Behavioral Intervention Teams Originated as a Response to Violence on Campus(Chronicle of Higher Education, 2007)

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Elements of BIT Best Practices

• Focus on student-based risks, as well as faculty and staff

• Integration with campus risk management programs and risk mitigation strategies

• Using formalized protocols of explicit engagement techniques and strategies

• Fostering a comprehensive reporting culture within the institution

• Training and educating the community identifying and reporting concerning behavior

• Comprehensive databases for longitudinal monitoring and identifying behavior patterns and trends;

• Record keeping and record management best practices

• Performing interventions and assessing for effectiveness

• Threat assessment w/in the BIT model- Using risk rubrics to classify threats

• Threat assessment tools — use, value and application

• Incorporating violence risk assessment as a team function

Careteam's Focus• SAFETY:

Individual Care—Reach out, Offer SolutionsCommunity Safety—Solutions focus on the balance

community needsDe-escalate situations quickly

• PREVENTION: Address Underlying causes of concerning behaviorCatch the problem before it becomes biggerCreate a Bystander awareness vs. Big Brother Mentality

• RESPONSE/RESULTS: Increase Reports, Increase responseIncrease Response, Decrease escalating behaviors

“Carefrontation” with lower risk cases = Prevention“Sense Something…Say Something...Do Something”

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Care Team Provides Prevention……As One conduit through which to funnel concerns about

students Encourages Anyone to Express a concern in the Spirit of

community (Student, Staff, Faculty, Family, Community members)

Intentionally cast a “wide net” (“Sense Something”)Involves a Response Team of Representatives from major

campus resourcesKey idea: collaborative consultation/joint

recommendations

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• Case Western Reserve University 2003, one person killed and 2 wounded

• Virginia Tech 2007, 33 killed

• Northern Illinois University 2008, 5 killed

• Incidents are rare, but each occurrence has a wide ranging impact

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Three of 66 + Reasons Why Prevention is So Important

“Proactive Prevention”:Signposts and Leakage

( Many students who initiated violence toward others “engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that cause others concern or indicated a need for help” (Vossekuil et al, 2002, Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initative)

“Nonviolent people do not 'snap' … Instead [they show] signposts along the way...A threat...brooding about frustration or disappointment, fantasies of destruction or revenge, in conversations, writing, drawing and other actions.” (www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/school-shooter)

“Leakage can be a cry for help, a sign of inner conflict, or boasts that may look empty but actually express a serious threat [to self or others]. Leakage is considered to be one of the most important clues that may precede [a] ...violent act.” (www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/school-shooter)

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InIn FBI Critical Incident Response group outlines the behaviors of leakage that should be monitored as the

following:

Low Tolerance for Frustration -- Poor Coping Skills Lack of Resiliency --- Narcissism.

Failed Love Relationships ----“injustice Collector”-- Signs of Depression --- Lack of Empathy --- Alienation

Dehumanizes Others --- Exaggerated Sense of Entitlement Attitude of superiority ---- Exaggerated Need for Attention ---

Externalizes Blame --- Masks Low Self-Esteem Lack of Trust -- Anger Management Problems

Intolerance --- Inappropriate Humor Seeks to Manipulate others Closed Social Group --- Change of Behavior

- Unusual interest in Sensational violence Fascination with Violence-Filled Entertainment

Rigid and opinionated --- Negative Role Models Behavior appears Relevant to Carry Out Threat

Common Student Mental Health Issues DepressionAnxietySuicide IdeationAlcohol Abuse Eating disordersSelf Injury

www.apa.org/about/gr/education/news/2011/college-campuses.aspx)

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The Careteam Meets for One Hour Each Week and makes recommendations to:

Dr. Dewain L Lee: Dean of Students Team Members:

Dawn Dooley, Associate Dean;

Chair of CareteamMichael Votava,

Dir. Student Conduct & Ethical Development

Rick Shell, Chief of PoliceGeorgia DeKeyser, Dir.

of Student Health & Counseling Center

Ryan J. Henne, Director of Residence Life

Lisa Terwilliger, Careteam Coordinator

Jessica Mason, Counselor Liaison to the Faculty

Sierra Mills: Student Success Counselor

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The Process:CareteamDean of Students OfficeUniversity of Alaska Anchorage

Part TwoUAA Careteam

Referral ProcessBegins with an Informal or Direct Written Report

of concern about a particular student Informal Care Team inquiries can be made by:

Call the following & Staff with Enter a Report Dean of Students office, 786-1214Careteam office, 786-6065 in PSB 119 DOS Counselor, 786-6158Email: Care@uaa.alaska.edu

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Direct ReportUAA Careteam

Click this to submit an on-line report—that can be anonymous

Careteam Process for a Report

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Results:

FY 2010: FY: 2011Reports: 145 Reports: 185Follow Up: 219 Follow Up: 313

FY 2012: FY 2013Reports: 193 Reports: 236Follow Up: 386 Follow Up: 504

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