During the 2006-07 school year, Watson entered into a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Public Schools to form the Watson Institute Behavior Support for Youth (WIBSY) program, creating a positive behavior support model in the public school system.  The program has continued and has since expanded in the Pittsburgh Public program as well as in other area school districts.

The goal of WIBSY is to introduce and develop the Positive Behavior Supprot (PBIS) model.  PBIS is a multilevel approach for creating safe school environments.  Grounded in a team-solving approach, WIBSy works collaboratively with school staff, administrators and district representatives to target school-wide concerns and develop plans to create safe and productive school environments.

WIBSY's mission is to support and encourage the development of safe and positive school environments.  The WIBSY project provides an array of school-wide supportive and consultative services including:

• working individually with students with challenging behaviors
• facilitating social skills groups
• daily check in/check out with moderate risk students
• school-wide evaluations
• collection and assessment of all office discipline referrals for reports and discipline committees
• working with school administration to develop school-wide disciplinary plans
• consultative and training supports for teachers
• district wide orientation and training

University of Pittsburgh Component

All WIBSY staff members take graduate courses in school-based behavioral health through Pitt's Department of Psychology in Education.  These courses provide skills and knowledge to support their work in the schools.  In addition, Pitt faculty and doctoral students in the School of Education provide support and technical assistance to help WIBSY staff analyze data, develop intervention plans, and implement plans in the schools.

A hallmark of the program is the involvement of teachers in setting each school's expectations and recognition programs.  This innovative interdisciplinary partnership not only benefits student, but also enables Watson practitioners, Pitt students and faculty to work closely with experienced teachers and administrators in the design and implementation of school-wide positive behavior support.

Click here for a Bullying Prevention in Positive Behavior Support curriculum to implement in your district.