Behavioral Intervention Services (BIS)

SEPTA is very concerned to learn that Arlington County plans to eliminate its children’s Behavioral Intervention Services (BIS) program in the FY 2025 proposed budget. BIS provides critical support for children who are experiencing challenging behaviors at home, in school, or in the community. BIS makes recommendations to parents/guardians and teachers on how to better support the child’s needs so they can successfully and safely participate in school, family, and community activities. BIS services are provided to families at a substantially reduced fee, which makes them widely accessible. 

BIS is a County program (not an APS program). The type of support provided by BIS is not available within the public school system or through other community resources. APS routinely refers children – often with disabilities – to the County BIS program. 

For more information about BIS: https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2019/09/About-the-BIS-Program-2018.pdf

The BIS program is currently staffed by two behavioral intervention specialists. Arlington County proposes to eliminate both positions in the FY 2025 budget to achieve a cost savings of $277,093.

SEPTA urges parents, teachers, and community members who are concerned about the proposed elimination of the BIS program to make your voices heard!

You can:

• Email the County Board at: countyboard@arlingtonva.us and the County Manager at countymanager@arlingtonva.us 
  
• Speak with a County Board Member at Open Door Mondays: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/County-Board/Open-Door-Mondays
  
• Speak at the budget hearing: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/County-Board/County-Board-Meetings/Speaking-at-Budget-and-Tax-Rate-Public-Hearings/Budget-and-Tax-Rate-Hearing-Speaker-Sign-up-Form

Here is a snapshot of the timeline of the County budget process:

For more information about the proposed Arlington County FY 2025 budget:
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Budget-Finance/FY-2025-Budget-Information#section-3

If you would like to get involved in this or other SEPTA advocacy initiatives, please email  advocacy@arlingtonsepta.org