A practical protocol for situating evidence-based mental health programs and practices within school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports

Schools have limited experience and little guidance to identify and install evidence-based and promising programs and practices/interventions (EBPs) within advanced tiers of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (SWPBIS). One form of guidance is the Hexagon Tool which can be used to ensure a match between the EBP and student needs. The authors demonstrate how the Hexagon Tool was utilized by an alternative education program already implementing SWPBIS. Data from the Hexagon Tool were used to identify and install EBPs for various student, faculty, and administrative needs. Outcomes related to installation of those EBPs, when applicable, are summarized. Based on these experiences, a hybrid protocol to equally ensure alignment of a given EBP to the developmental, cultural, and linguistic characteristics at the school was created. Schools are encouraged to use the Hexagon Tool or hybrid protocol in the process of implementing advanced tiers of support.