Bridging Prevention and Intervention: How the Sequential Intercept Model and BTAM Work Together

garzaj25
Nov 9, 2025
2 min read

Communities across the country are looking for ways to better support individuals with behavioral health needs, before a crisis leads to violence or criminal justice involvement. Two powerful frameworks are helping professionals connect the dots between prevention, intervention, and care: the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) and Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM).

Understanding the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM)

The Sequential Intercept Model provides a roadmap for identifying key points, or “intercepts”where individuals with behavioral health challenges can be diverted from the criminal justice system and connected to treatment and community-based supports.

Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the model includes six core intercepts:

Community Services (Intercept 0): Early access to behavioral health care and crisis intervention before law enforcement contact.
Law Enforcement (Intercept 1): Police and emergency response strategies that prioritize de-escalation and diversion.
Initial Detention/Court Hearings (Intercept 2): Screening and referral to services during initial court or detention processes.
Jails/Courts (Intercept 3): Specialized courts or programs addressing mental health or substance use needs.
Reentry (Intercept 4): Transition planning for individuals leaving incarceration.
Community Corrections (Intercept 5): Ongoing supervision and support in the community to prevent recidivism.

Each intercept represents an opportunity to shift the response from punitive to supportive and restorative, focusing on treatment and stability.

Where Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Fits In

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is a proactive, multidisciplinary process used to identify, assess, and manage individuals who may pose a risk of targeted violence. Unlike traditional criminal justice approaches that focus on crimes already committed, BTAM emphasizes early intervention, addressing concerning behaviors before they escalate.

By evaluating risk factors, protective factors, and individual needs, BTAM teams develop tailored intervention plans that can connect a person to counseling, case management, education, or other community-based supports.

Aligning SIM and BTAM for Stronger Prevention

When the Sequential Intercept Model and BTAM are aligned, communities gain a powerful framework for early identification, prevention, and coordinated intervention.

Early Identification: BTAM teams recognize individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors before criminal involvement.
Diversion and Connection: SIM provides the structure for diverting these individuals into appropriate services, behavioral health care, housing, education, or employment support.
Coordinated Response: Both models rely on multidisciplinary collaboration among law enforcement, behavioral health providers, schools, and community agencies.
Sustained Engagement: Post-intervention follow-up ensures individuals remain connected to care, reducing the likelihood of future crises or justice system contact.

Building a Culture of Prevention

Integrating SIM and BTAM encourages a shift from crisis-driven responses to systematic, preventive strategies. It helps communities identify individuals in distress, connect them to support, and coordinate care across sectors.

Ultimately, the alignment of SIM and BTAM fosters safer communities, reduced recidivism, and improved well-being for individuals who might otherwise fall through the cracks.