| Related Policy | Version Effective Date | Review Cycle | Last Reviewed | Procedures Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMGC Policy on Behavioral Intervention Team (THRIVE) | April 22, 2026 | Every 2 years | April 22, 2026 | UMGC THRIVE |
- Purpose and Scope
UMGC THRIVE is a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) that identifies, assesses, and responds to Learners within the University community whose behaviors may pose concern or a risk to themselves, others, or the campus community. THRIVE aims to provide early intervention, coordinate communication among departments, and ensure consistent, research-based case management with the primary goal of supporting Learners’ holistic wellness so they can continue in their academic journey with minimal interruptions.  Additionally, THRIVE will provide outreach to educate and support the university community in various mental health matters. - Applicability
These Procedures apply to reports of concerning behavior, including threat to self and threat to others and will be used to implement UMGC Policy on Behavioral Intervention Team (THRIVE). These Procedures provide general information and an overview of the process for coordinating a proactive and planned approach to facilitate the early identification, prevention, assessment, and management of serious interpersonal distress, disruptive behavior that threatens the safety and well-being of the University community, and/or general concerns about Learners. - Definitions
All capitalized terms in these Procedures have the meanings provided in UMGC Policy on Behavioral Intervention Team (THRIVE). - Roles and Responsibilities
- Team Roles and Responsibilities
- Core Group – Will manage the day-to-day triage of incoming Referrals and will address the Learners' immediate needs.Â
- Expertise Group – Will assist in identifying supportive resources and provide ongoing support to Learners if needed/as needed based on their role at the University.
- Community of Care Group – Will assist in identifying trends, and brainstorming processes and resources to better support our Learners. The group will serve as the University’s educational awareness and outreach group.
- Community Role and Responsibilities
- Staff, faculty, and Learners should immediately report to THRIVE situations that could result in harm to themselves or others at the University or indicate a Learner experiencing challenges that negatively impact their academic success.
- Team Roles and Responsibilities
- Referrals
- Anyone may submit a Referral regarding Learner behavior that is concerning, disruptive, or threatening.
- There are no time restrictions for submitting a Referral detailing concerning Learner behavior to THRIVE. Referrals should, however, be submitted as soon as possible so that THRIVE can evaluate and manage as early as possible. If a Learner appears to be in immediate, emergency crisis, first contact emergency services in the student’s area OR, if on a military installation, follow local military installation guidance. Next, submit a report to THRIVE. For questions regarding the reporting process, contact 240-410-0140.
- Referrals may be made anonymously, but doing so may limit the University’s ability to evaluate and manage a Referral.
- Triage and Assessment
The Core Group conducts a triage assessment and assigns an initial risk rating to every referral.- Reviews the reported concern and all available contextual information.
- Applies a structured and objective risk rubric to assess the level of concern.
- Assigns a preliminary risk level based on behavioral indicators, situational context, protective factors, and potential for escalation.
- Risk levels assessed using a risk rubric and triaged based on the level of immediacy.
- No action needed: Low
- Monitor only: Low
- Further Review and Identification of Resources: Moderate
- Immediate Action Required: High (Referred to THRIVE review)
- Risk levels assessed using a risk rubric and triaged based on the level of immediacy.
- Triage Outcomes
At each level of triage outcomes, the Learner will receive the UMGC Wellness Resources. Typical responses will be, but are not limited to:- No Action: Wellness Resources, post outreach follow-up seven days after initial referral
- Monitoring: Phone call to learner, Wellness Resources, initial follow-up within seven days of referral
- Further Review and Identification of Resources: Wellness Resources, consult members of the Expertise Group as appropriate, initial follow-up within 72 hours of initial referral, follow-up call seven days after initial outreach
- Immediate Action Required:
- Determination of risk (threat to self; threat to others)
- Threat to self
- Contact Learner to ensure safety;
- If threat persists, contact local authorities
- If threat is dispelled, offer outreach and assistance
- Provide resources and additional assistance as needed
- Follow-up seven days after initial referral
- Contact Learner to ensure safety;
- Threat to others
- Determine immediacy of threat
- If threat is immediate, contact local authorities
- If threat is not immediate, discuss the situation with the Learner.
- Engage with Director of UMGC Security and/or UMCP PD to complete further threat assessment
- Provide notification to the Senior Director of Digital Communications & Content and the Senior Director of Public Relations to support university wide communications and facilitate monitoring of social media.
- Contact the learner to review situation and offer Wellness Resources; assistance
- Follow-up seven days after initial referral
- Determine immediacy of threat
- Escalated Services
- Expertise Group- Reviews active Referrals to conduct deeper Risk Assessment of Moderate-to-High Risk Referrals;
- Identifies behavioral patterns in ReferralsÂ
- Determines appropriate intervention levelÂ
- Assigns follow-up responsibilitiesÂ
- Provides timeline for reassessmentÂ
- Community of Care- Typical role is reviewing trends and engaging in larger discussions about resources that exist and what resources should exist;
- Community of Care members can, however, be asked to provide their specific expertise to address unusual student issues.
- Expertise Group- Reviews active Referrals to conduct deeper Risk Assessment of Moderate-to-High Risk Referrals;
- Related Policies, Procedures, and References