What are Positive Behavioral Supports?
PBS is a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies for teaching children important social and emotional skills while preventing problem behavior (Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS), 2008). PBS is a three tiered continuum of supports including universal strategies for all students, targeted strategies for those students who need additional support, and individualized strategies for students who need even more intensive support.
PBS is not a canned curriculum, but rather a process in which individual schools identify expected behaviors for all students, staff, and families that fit the unique needs of their setting. These expectations are explicitly taught to all students through effective instruction. Research-based practices are used to encourage expected behaviors and to create a system for responding consistently to problem behaviors. Data collection systems are developed and used in order to make decisions about school-wide improvements and individual student needs. Individualized strategies fit within the larger system and are not isolated behavioral management plans. Implementing these components helps schools establish a climate where appropriate student behavior becomes the norm.
Why is PBS Important?
Every community wants the best for their children. PBS has been proven successful in creating positive school climates and improving student outcomes. When PBS is implemented effectively, schools see major decreases in problem behaviors, office discipline referrals, the amount of time administrators spend on discipline issues, and the number of students referred to special education (Lewis, 2008 & PBIS, 2009). In addition, schools see an increase in the perception that the school is a safe place to be, an increase in instructional time, and an increase in student achievement (Lewis, 2008 & PBIS, 2009).
The Montana Behavioral Initiative and Montana Safe Schools Center
MSSC is a stakeholder in the Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) which is part of the Montana Office of Public Instruction. MBI is anchored in Positive Behavioral Supports. We serve as MBI consultants, council members, summer institute planning team members, and early childhood planning team members. We also provide for MBI schools' participation in the Safe Schools Assessment & Resource Bank (SSARB) climate and safety survey.
The mission of MBI is to assist educators, parents, and other community members in developing the attitudes, skills, and systems necessary to ensure that each student, regardless of ability or disability, leaves public education and enters the community with social and academic competence.
What We Offer
MSSC staff provide Positive Behavioral Support training and consultation to pre/K-12 schools and early childhood programs across Montana. Much of this work is done in collaboration with the Office of Public Instruction’s Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI).Trainings range from a two hour overview of PBS to multi-day implementation strategy sessions. Consultation includes technical assistance and resource dissemination.
For more information about MSSC’s Positive Behavioral Support training contact Amy Foster Wolferman or Marcy Otten .
Where have we worked?
- Anaconda Deer Lodge County Head Start, Anaconda, MT
- Bitterroot Valley Education Cooperative Preschool, Stevensville, MT
- Child Start Inc. Head Start, Missoula, MT
- Crow Nation Head Start, Crow Agency, MT
- Growing Place Childcare, Missoula, MT
- Heart Butte School, Heart Butte, MT
- Lolo Preschool, Lolo, MT
- Lower Yukon School District, Alaska
- Missoula County Public Schools Preschool, Missoula, MT
- Missoula International School, Missoula, MT
- Northern Cheyenne Head Start, Lame Deer, MT
- Potomac School, Potomac, MT
- Ravalli Head Start, Hamilton, MT
- Rocky Boy School, Rocky Boy, MT
- Rimrock Preschool, Billings, MT
- Salish Kootenai College Child Care, Pablo, MT
State Conferences:
- Child Care Resources Annual Spring Conference
- Council for Exceptional Children State Conference
- Families and Learning Conference
- Region V CSPD Summer Institute