Published on: January 28, 2026
A NABITA Tip of the Week by W. Scott Lewis, J.D., and Makenzie Schiemann, Ph.D., M.S.
In behavioral intervention, threat assessment, and case management, it can feel like you just upgraded your technology, only for the next big release to drop. The needs of practitioners and the students counting on them evolve by the minute.
Teams in both higher education and K-12 environments face increasingly complex student needs, spanning social, emotional, financial, and behavioral issues. They also face siloed systems, inconsistent processes that don’t align with best practices, and greater scrutiny and legal pressure. With limited time for training and reflection, these challenges compound. Meeting those demands requires an intentional, multiyear strategy that integrates training and consulting into a coordinated plan for growth and sustainability.
NABITA explored this topic during a recent public information session. Below are key takeaways and practical strategies from the discussion. We encourage you to watch the recording, and share our takeaway that NABITA isn’t just a source of top-notch training for your team, but the venue for your team to access a comprehensive curriculum of competencies that empower team efficacy and excellence.
Training is the Foundation
NABITA’s training and certification programs set the standard for behavioral intervention and threat assessment teams, grounding practice in the latest research and nationally recognized standards. Our cross-departmental collaboration model and trainings build shared language and consistent action, whether your team is high-performing, new, rebuilding, or seeking fresh insights. We train teams in four key areas: BIT Operations, Threat and Violence Risk Assessment, Case Management, and K-12.
BIT Operations
The BIT Standards and Best Practices course establishes clear expectations for team membership, meeting processes, and documentation. To establish shared language and structure, we recommend certification in the NABITA Risk Rubric and Violence Risk Assessment of the Written Word (VRAWW), which provide objective tools for evaluating concerning behaviors and communications.
Teams can then refine their operational effectiveness through the following workshops:
Threat and Violence Risk Assessment
Teams can deepen core competencies through training in research-based tools, including the Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment (SIVRA) and the Non-Clinical Assessment of Suicide (NAS). They can then strengthen practical application through SIVRA in Practice and NAS in Practice, and advance proficiency with the Violence Risk Assessment Report Writing Workshop and Building an Individualized Threat Management Plan.
Case Management
We recommend teams start with Case Management Standards and Best Practices and Case Management Support and Intervention to develop one-on-one support skills, including motivational interviewing, distress tolerance, and harm reduction. Teams can reinforce this knowledge through the BIT and Case Management Recordkeeping and Documentation Workshop.
K-12
For K-12 schools and districts, NABITA offers K-12 Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Standards and evidence-based tools aligned with best practices for school-age populations. Teams should train on the K-12 Risk Rubric and K-12 SIVRA to strengthen evaluation, documentation, and risk-informed response. Our approach to K-12 is not so much about the structure of teams (as those exist in K-12 already), but about the tools that can empower those teams, regardless of structure.
Consulting: Turning Knowledge into Practice
NABITA recommends addressing specific institutional needs, as training courses alone may not address nuances in a team’s culture, policy gaps, or case complexities. Expert consulting bridges the gap, whether provided in-person or virtually. Consultation provides teams with guidance on applying their learning directly to policies, procedures, and school, district, or institution-level systems. It also provides real-time feedback, helping address challenges early and prevent potential crises, or can be case-specific, if you need expertise to guide you through a tough situation.
Our consulting services address complex needs, including:
- Case Consultation: NABITA experts provide direct support when a case presents complex or high-risk behaviors. Consultants review facts, assess risk levels, and recommend interventions while protecting the school or institution.
- BIT or Case Management Program Review: External assessments of BITs or Case Management programs, using NABITA’s standards as benchmarks. These offerings may include interviews, document analysis, focus groups, and detailed recommendations to improve alignment and efficiency.
- Violence Risk Assessment: For cases requiring a full violence risk assessment, NABITA consultants can conduct SIVRA as a service for you and deliver a written evaluation with recommendations.
- Procedure or Policy Review: Comprehensive assessments of team manuals, BIT/TAT/CARE team policies, return-from-hospitalization processes, involuntary leave/withdrawal policies, or care coordination practices, with redlined updates and guidance, can enhance compliance.
- Process, Structure, or Procedure Consultation: Experts provide guidance for teams considering new reporting structures, faculty/staff referral processes, or the integration of bias response, workplace violence, prevention, and behavioral intervention functions.
The Multiyear Advantage
Short-term training meets immediate needs, and long-term planning builds capacity. A multiyear plan coordinates training, consulting, and evaluation in a structured progression that aligns with team development and institutional goals. Strategic budgeting lets you map out your needs three years from now, not three months out. Staff turnover, a constant in our field, is easier to manage when you anticipate it and incorporate foundational training at regular intervals.
Your team’s development improves when you structure training like a curriculum, ensuring foundational knowledge early on and introducing advanced concepts over time. This approach also fosters consistency across your institution by ensuring that everyone uses the same methodology by operationalizing the same tools, frameworks, and language. You can also package a NABITA Super Membership that includes NABITA certifications each year, ideal for onboarding new staff and upskilling existing team members.
Build Your Plan Today
Fortify your team with coordinated training and consulting. Explore NABITA’s training and certification offerings and contact inquiry@tngconsulting.com to develop your custom plan.