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Rapid Response Team (Tier III Support Team)

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    The Portland Public Schools Tier III Support Team (Rapid Response) is a component of the Multi-tiered Systems of Support Department (MTSS) in the Office of Student Support.

    The objective(s) of this team are to:

    1.  Create a Culturally Responsive and Trauma Informed Action Plan for the referred student

    2.  Model for and Coach school staff on the implementation of the Action Plan.

    3. Increase the capacity and confidence of school teams to sustainably replicate Tier III strategies, tools, and interventions for any student in their school community.

     

     

Process

  • Step 1: School Administrator or appointed staff completes the Tier III Support Team (Rapid Response) Referral Form

  • Step 2: The Tier III team (RRT) will set up an initial (virtual) meeting with the school team

  • Step 3: Tier III/RRT will schedule observations, data collection etc. with school team

  • Step 4: DRAFT Action Plan/Consultation Report reviewed with relevant staff

  • Step 5: Action items implemented and Action Plan Meeting #2 scheduled approximately 2 weeks after implementation of plan

  • Step 6: REFINED Action items implemented and Action Plan meeting #3 scheduled approximately 2 weeks after implementation

  • Step 7: Case closure as indicated, with mutual agreement that Tier III/RRT has fulfilled its duties as agreed upon in the Action Plan

  •  Prior to submitting a Tier III Support Team (RRT) Referral....

    • Your Senior Director of Schools has been notified of your concern for the well-being of this student.
    • Your building administrator(s), if not the referrer, has been notified and is agreeing to actively participate in this referral process.
    • The student's teacher has been centered in this discussion and has verbally opted into a referral and participation in the process which requires student observations in the classroom and willingness for staff to be in the room during scheduled days/times to teach, implement, and observe action items developed in an action plan. 
    • Caregiver/Parent/Guardian has been made aware of the school's concerns for student well-being and is aware of this referral and has been given/signed/returned the consent form for Tier III observation. The school team has submitted this as part of their referral and/or share with the Tier III Support Team.
    • Building based specialist staff (QMHP, Social Worker, Counselor, Psychologist etc.) are aware of this referral and part of the team. 
    • The student of concern has been discussed in the Student Intervention Team (SIT) process.
    • There are multiple identified team members for this referral that are NCI trained for Tier III building-based support.
    • The school team has collected 2-4 weeks of data demonstrating the implementation of individualized interventions (Tier III) but have not yet been able to effectively address the student's unmet needs (physical, social, emotional, academic or behavioral). 
    • A Safety Plan has been considered or is in progress/has been written/implemented and has been flagged in Synergy.
    • An FBS/BSP has been completed or is in process. 
    • Attendance barriers and/or precipitating factors (socio-economic, mental health, geographical, medical etc.) have been considered and your attendance Coach has been contacted if relevant.
    • A 504 has been considered as a way of formalizing accommodations for the student's unmet needs. 
    • If the student has been placed on an abbreviated day,  the abbreviated day form has been completed and submitted for Synergy flagging/documentation.

     

    If a student demonstrates high risk behaviors and is in the Special Education evaluation process, Special Education and the Tier III Rapid Response Team will work collaboratively to support the referral and the student. 

    If the student who demonstrates high risk behaviors has been found eligible for Special Education and has an implemented IEP, the Special Education Department will be the team's point of contact and the Tier III Rapid Response Team may be engaged by SpEd as a thought partner. Please do NOT refer to the Tier III Rapid Response Team but instead contact your designated Special Education staff.

     

    Make a Referral to Tier III

    Tier III Resources

    Caregiver Permission
     
     

Contact

If you are still unsure whether a Tier III referral (via link above) is appropriate for your team please email the RRT.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I make a referral if the student is Special Education identified?

  • Are there other Tier III supports a school team can access (aside from contacting RRT)?

  • Should I call the Tier III Support Services (RRT) Team if a student or staff member is at imminent risk of harm?

  • Does RRT serve students identified for Special Education Services?

  • What type of behaviors or situations does RRT typically help to address?

  • Can RRT provide 1:1 support for a student?