Published on: October 13, 2025
A NABITA Testimonial by Christian M. Salas, LMSW, Associate Professor of Social Work, El Paso Community College
When I received the email confirming my acceptance into NABITA’s Mentor Match program, I was thrilled. That is, until I read that my mentor would be W. Scott Lewis, J.D. As Managing Partner at TNG, Chair of the NABITA Advisory Board, and co-founder of NABITA, he is a seasoned expert in behavioral intervention and a nationally recognized leader and speaker. My thrill turned into intimidation.
That initial wave of nervousness didn’t last long. From our first meeting, Scott made it clear that our conversations would be grounded in openness, humility, and mutual respect. It wasn’t a top-down mentorship; it was a conversation between professionals, each bringing something meaningful to the table. Over time, our meetings became something I eagerly anticipated.
I could bring him questions about our Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), our support strategies, and how to manage my time more effectively, and he would respond with candor, insight, and encouragement.
Mentorship that Develops Strategic Growth
When I joined the BIT at El Paso Community College (EPCC), our team was still in its infancy. While other colleges were fully operational, we were beginning to formalize our structure: developing a core BIT, establishing a triage sub-team comprised of clinicians, and training our stakeholders to understand what the BIT does and how it can support our students. Even now, some faculty members are still learning about the BIT, but we’re making headway, step by step.
In this developmental phase, having Scott as a mentor and sounding board has been invaluable. He helped me see that even if we feel we’re in the “early stages,” we’re already doing innovative work worth sharing.
NABITA Trainings Boosted our Confidence and Capability
Recently, we welcomed Tim Cason, M.Ed., Senior Consultant at TNG and Vice President of NABITA, to our campus for a two-day on-site training. He facilitated sessions on the NABITA Risk Rubric and the Non-Clinical Assessment of Suicide (NAS), and it was clear he was an expert at connecting with clinicians and non-clinicians alike. As a licensed clinician, I was impressed by Tim’s ability to deliver the content in a way that was both accessible and not oversimplified, which made the training meaningful for everyone in the room.
Tim’s training validated many of the practices I already use. I remember thinking, “He’s saying the same thing I do, so I must be doing something right.” That validation reminded me that I do bring something valuable to the table.
Clinical and Non-Clinical Tools: Two Sides of the Same Coin
In my clinical role, I frequently use tools such as the GAD-7, ACES, or the DSM-5’s cross-cutting tools to inform diagnosis and intervention. Similarly, NABITA’s non-clinical tools, such as the Risk Rubric, operate on parallel principles. While these tools aren’t designed for diagnosing, they excel at assessing risk and identifying the most effective interventions to ensure student safety and success.
The process is strikingly similar: gather data, evaluate context, apply appropriate tools, and implement informed interventions. The key distinction lies in the perspective. NABITA’s tools navigate these steps through a risk-informed, student-support lens rather than a clinical framework. This approach yields outcomes that naturally complement clinical practices, with interventions focused on care, safety, and promoting student growth.
Building a Holistic Mental Health Ecosystem
Our BIT operates across all five campuses, with EPCC Cares teams currently available at three. These teams provide sessions at students’ home campuses, and providers travel as needed. We are working to establish full-time mental health providers at all five campuses and eventually increase this to two providers per campus. To ensure consistency across campuses, we are adopting NABITA’s tools, including the Risk Rubric and NAS, to confidently support all students across the district. The support from our administration has been tremendous, especially since our vision is expansive.
We aim to establish mental health and social service centers as locations where students (and their families) can access support for mental health, housing, and resources for addressing food insecurity, among other services. We also aim to create educational opportunities by inviting students from EPCC, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), New Mexico State University (NMSU), and other universities to complete their fieldwork and practicums in our centers.
BIT is an integral part of this vision. The referrals we receive and the interventions we implement feed directly into EPCC Cares, closing the loop between behavioral intervention, mental health, and student support.
Looking Forward to Continued Growth
During one of our mentoring sessions, Scott encouraged me to consider submitting a proposal for NABITA’s 2025 Annual Conference. Initially, I was hesitant. After all, I felt like we were still getting started. But his perspective changed my mindset. He reminded me that other institutions might benefit from seeing what we’re doing, even if we’re not “finished.” That kind of encouragement to be proud of our progress and confident in our innovations was exactly the push I needed.
Looking ahead, I see many more opportunities to work with NABITA. Whether it’s continued mentorship, attending or presenting at conferences, bringing more training to campus, or even consulting as we scale up our systems, NABITA will be a central partner in our ongoing development.
Accessible, Validating, and Genuinely Supportive
I walked into this mentorship experience feeling intimidated. I walked out feeling validated. Scott helped me see the work I’m doing from a different lens, one that affirms my instincts, sharpens my thinking, and encourages me to lead with confidence. NABITA, through its tools, training, and mentorship, has provided me and our entire EPCC team with a strong, collaborative, and sustainable professional foundation.
For anyone considering NABITA, I can say with complete confidence: it’s one of the best professional decisions I’ve made. Whether you’re launching a BIT, looking to expand your mental health services, or want to connect with professionals who understand your needs, NABITA meets you where you are and helps you move forward. Your team and your students deserve it.
Become a NABITA member to tap into a robust network of training, templates, and mentorship. Learn more about Mentor Match and get paired with an experienced leader like Scott. Bring NABITA to your campus to transform the way you support your students.