The Behavior Team’s vision is to be a resource to PSUSD staff members and families of students who are concerned about a student’s behavior and require access to consultation and collaboration with professionals who maintain evidence-based approaches to support students with behavioral challenges. The Behavior Team provides an organized and coordinated method of assessment of the severity of an incident or situation affecting PSUSD students and staff members. Any PSUSD school staff can contact a Behavior Team member to consult about a student with behavioral concerns. 

A district-wide referral system across the Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and Rancho Mirage regions is utilized to provide a systematic approach to disseminating ethical and research-based interventions to alleviate the situation.  Examples of incidents and situations that may be addressed by the Behavior Team include classroom disruption, elopement, property destruction,  behaviors that may pose a threat to the physical safety or well-being of individuals or groups, and conflicts among individuals or groups that have the potential to escalate and pose a severe and dangerous disruption to his/herself, staff members, and other students. Additionally, the Behavior Team, alongside members of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team, examines trends in student behavior suggested by observation and information obtained from professional meetings and literature.

The Behavior Team adheres to the California Education Code, focusing on legal and ethical parameters of institutional action and inaction and compliance with school district policies and procedures. Determining appropriate resources and responses includes identifying the offices and/or individuals that will coordinate the response, be actively involved in the response, or need to be advised of the situation and response. Situations that are not quickly resolved may require continued monitoring and assessment. Following the resolution of a situation, there may be a need to evaluate the level and effectiveness of the response, the impact of an outcome on individuals, groups, departments, and any implications for changes in policies, practices, or procedures.