Duties of a Behavior Intervention Case Manager (BICM)

Whenever an Individual Education Plan (IEP) includes a Behavior Intervention Plan, the IEP team must be expanded to include a Behavioral Intervention Case Manager (BICM). This case manager must assist in conducting the Functional Analysis Assessment – a report that essentially outlines the problem behavior, the function of the behavior, and a functionally equivalent replacement behavior. The case manager must also assist in developing the Behavior Intervention Plan while consulting with the other team members.

According to the California Code of Regulations – Title 5, case managers must have training in behavior analysis, including positive behavioral interventions, and the ability to monitor and evaluate the appropriateness and efficacy of an implemented Behavior Intervention Plan (5 CCR Section 3052[a][1] and [2]). The Behavior Intervention Plan  (BIP) must indicate the frequency of consultation with staff and parents.

Emergency Procedures and Implications

Even in cases when the IEP team has developed an appropriate and reasonable Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), emergency intervention may be necessary, “to control unpredictable, spontaneous behavior which poses clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the individual or others and which cannot be immediately prevented by a response less restrictive than the temporary application of a technique used to contain the behavior” (5 CCR Section 3052[i]). However, pursuant to 5 CCR Section 3052(l), emergency intervention may not include any of the following:

• Any intervention designed to, or likely to, cause physical pain

• Noxious, toxic, or otherwise unpleasant sprays, mists, or substances in proximity to the individual’s face

• Denial of adequate sleep, food, water, shelter, bedding, physical comfort, or access to bathroom facilities

• Verbal abuse, ridicule, humiliation, or other procedures expected to cause excessive emotional trauma

• Physical restraint by a device, material, or object that simultaneously immobilizes all four extremities, including prone containment or similar techniques, unless the restraint is used by personnel who are trained in the technique, and it is used only as an emergency intervention

• Locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room

• Any intervention that leaves a student without adequate supervision

• Any intervention that deprives the student of one or more of the senses

Behaviors That Might Trigger a Threat Assessment

A BICM might conduct a threat assessment when a student’s behavior is unpredictable or spontaneous and poses clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the student himself/herself, or others and which cannot be immediately prevented by a response less restrictive than the temporary application of a technique used to contain the behavior.

School safety and violence prevention programs are encouraged for all schools. With such programs in place, a school’s campus be less likely to encounter hazardous and unsafe situations. In addition, safety and violence prevention programs will allow a BICM to reserve their talent and time for students with behaviors that could benefit from their services.