The Success Story of a Gateway Student–UBHC Support

Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) is an international organization that educates our staff in safe, respectful and noninvasive methods for managing disruptive and assaultive behaviors. Their training is instrumental when it comes to students with troublesome behavior like Nick, whose story we will revisit later. Their objective is to de-escalate difficult situations that arise as early as possible by understanding students’ anxieties, body language and behaviors. Some staff have acquired additional crisis training in Safety-Care (QBS, Inc.). They also emphasize core principles that are respectful, humane and non-coercive.

Even with the vital participation of our crisis team, the school program always welcomes outside support. Nick, whom we mentioned earlier, is affiliated with a school-based program offered by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC). UBHC’s goal is to create healthy environments for learning by partnering with schools, like Gateway, to develop prevention and intervention strategies that promote academic and life success. Again, the idea is to identify and intervene during the early stages of the problematic behavior. They then assist parents and school personnel in developing comprehensive strategies for addressing these behaviors.

Nick's Story

Nick’s success story is directly related to the intervention of both the crisis intervention team and UBHC’s school-based program. In 2013, Nick came to The Gateway School exhibiting extreme, challenging behavior. The crisis intervention team was in and out of the classroom on a regular basis. Staff went above and beyond, employing all of their training and listening skills. Once UBHC became involved, we were able to implement different techniques in an attempt to find one what worked best for Nick.

It has been six years now. Ask Nick’s former teachers - Ms. Kielbus, Ms. Casablanca, Ms. Doneman and Mr. Paulosky, about the version of Nick they get to enjoy having in their classrooms. It is not that Nick does not get upset.

According to the aide that has been with Nick for four years, “Nick knows his resources and uses them when he gets upset.” His communication skills have improved, both internally and externally. Nick has even been described as independent and reliable.

How does Nick feel about all of this? According to him, he was a “troubled kid.” He was nervous, angry and “had no self-control.” When his peers would criticize him, he would “curse at them, throw objects, chairs, spit, hit, kick and have to be restrained.” Then, Nick’s story starts to take a turn when he mentions teachers by name. One teacher is noted as nice and caring. Others are even referred to as “grandmas.” One of those “grandmas” is even credited with a change in behavior.