The BIG Act
The Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act (BIG Act) requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop best practices for schools and higher education institutions. The BIG Act will help to establish behavioral intervention teams comprised of small groups of school officials who meet regularly to collect and review concerning information about at-risk community members and develop plans to assist them.
What is the BIG Act?
Learn more about what the BIG Act is and why it is needed in our schools.
BIG Act OverviewBIG Act FAQ
Let us answer your most pressing questions on the BIG Act and what this means for you.
Read FAQ'sNews & Events
Creation Of Office Of School Safety
It has been a busy legislative season in state houses across the nation with dozens of legislatures considering school safety-related bills. The latest proposal is CO SB 23-241, which would create an Office of School Safety within the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Read MoreBudget Proposals
With the approach of spring, many state legislatures are prepping their major budget proposals for their legislative session.
Read MoreState Legislatures Are in Session
While Congress continues to get organized, we also wanted to take this time to remind our members that the state legislatures are in session! Mental health, public safety, and school climate will be highly debated policy topics nationwide, and NABITA will closely monitor relevant legislation.
Read MoreBIG Act to Become Law
Congress has taken meaningful action to make schools safer. NABITA is pleased to announce the inclusion of the Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act, or BIG Act, language in the Omnibus spending package recently approved by Congress.
Read MoreRestoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022
The BIG Act has passed the House for a second time! However, unlike the previous passage last year as a standalone bill, BIG Act text is now included as an amendment in the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022.
Read MoreNABITA Legislative Efforts Following the Tragedy in Texas
Given the heartbreaking tragedy in Texas, The White House and Congress have begun in earnest the discussion of a comprehensive school safety bill.
Read MoreLetter to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee
Recently, NABITA teamed up with the House’s BIG Act lead sponsor Drew Ferguson (R-GA) to write a letter to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee on appropriations requesting that the committee includes the BIG Act language in their final report.
Read MoreRemembering the Virginia Tech Tragedy
We remember the individuals that were lost and honor those whose futures were forever changed by the horrific violence that took place that day.
Read StatementSchool Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act
The House Labor and Education Committee considered and approved the School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act - a NABITA-endorsed bill.
Read About the BillNABITA Statement on Florida Events
The NABITA team would like to provide some information about our upcoming conference located in the state of Florida.
Read StatementWant to Help Advance Legislation in Your State?
NABITA built a custom tool to make your outreach efforts easier. Select your home state to access the contact information for your Senator’s office.
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Who has sponsored the BIG Act?
"As an organization that supports the practitioners who work every day to support their students and make their schools safer, we are excited by the resources this Act will represent to NABITA's members."
"The BIG Act will be a gamechanger for student affairs professionals across the country because, I truly believe, it will provide a more holistic approach in our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our campuses and our students."