NABITA provides one $1500 research award annually, given to those creating new and innovative research in the field of behavioral intervention and threat assessment best practices. The NABITA Research Grant is granted based on the scope of the study, the contribution to the field, and advancement of best practices. Those chosen for the research grant will be required to complete one of the following:
- Present their research during a 60-minute NABITA webinar
- Present their research during a 75-minute NABITA conference concurrent session
- Provide a written series or recorded series of resources (1-2 page takeaways) for our member newsletter.
Awards will be disbursed in two (2) separate installments: the first upon accepting the award, and the second upon completion of one of the requirements listed above. Applications are now closed and will reopen January 2027. Please note that NABITA solely provides research award dollars to recipients and in no way should the recipient’s research reflect that is was conducted in partnership with NABITA . If requested, NABITA can assist with sending out research participation requests to its audience.
Questions? Please contact info@nabita.org.
Topic: A BIT Too Much: Compassion Fatigue, Workplace Psychological Needs, the Turnover Intention of Behavioral Intervention Team Case Managers.
Name and Title: Bill McKenney, M.Ed., Associate Dean of Students
Organization: Montana State University
Abstract: As a member of my institution’s BIT, I have seen firsthand the emotional and psychological toll that a case manager for a BIT may experience. But, if case managers are having their basic psychological needs met in the workplace, it might reduce the voluntary turnover of BIT case managers. The research is a quantitative study of current college BIT case managers who have 50% or more of their professional position dedicated to case management. The research uses three different validated instruments: case manager compassion fatigue, basic psychological needs in the workplace (based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), and their intention to voluntarily turnover from the case manager position will be measured. Results will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multivariate analysis to identify relationships among the results of the three instruments. Additionally, demographics of the case managers will be gathered as supplemental data to identify if different case manager identities (training, years of experience, case load, etc.) have an impact. This research will be conducted as part of the requirements for a Doctorate of Education from Montana State University. Chapters one, three, citations, and appendices have been attached to this application to provide greater context to the research. IRB approval is currently being sought, data will be collected in Fall 2026, with publication/graduation in Spring 2027. The data collected will not only answer the research questions, but may also provide additional insight into the role of BIT case managers.