As educators, we know that not only is the population of challenging children increasing but the intensity of their acting out is increasing as well. Many of our students are coming from difficult situations in which abuse, drug/alcohol usage, homelessness, and/or lack of supervision are common. A greater number of children are managing these issues in a disruptive manner which interferes with the teacher’s ability to create a safe and productive learning community. Schools need to be more resourceful and create new intervention strategies when dealing with the challenges of today’s students. Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST) a unique outreach program of Ozanam, created an intervention model that allows teachers to confront disruptive behavior with grace and accountability. Our common goal is to provide every student with a safe and productive learning environment.

BIST consultants will assist in developing a customized program that meets the unique needs of your community. We are dedicated to assisting you in reaching the following goals:

• Increase teaching time
• Facilitate life long changes for the most challenging students
• Decrease disruptive behavior
• Provide relief for adults 

• Support system for teachers which includes ongoing training and individual consultation, observing students, collaborative problem solving, processing with students, creating a success plan for students, conducting class meetings
• Logistical system for the least restrictive environment in which the acting out stops
• A comprehensive system of communication-regular meetings, checklists for student/administrator referral, informal feedback and check ups
• Crisis intervention system- creating back-up in times of crisis in which everyone responds in a predictable and consistent manner

BIST team members are dedicated to creating a caring community in every learning environment. Our work with schools is carried out by a group of professionals including educators, therapists and social workers. Collectively, BIST staff represents more than 200 years of experience—much of it working with the most challenging population of students in education.