Creating Incidents: Incident Builder/Incident Elements

Introduction

Use the steps below to add behaviors, actions, and attributes to the incident. See the Appendix for code values.

Add a Behavior 

1. Click the Plus (+) button next to Incident Elements.
2. Choose Add Behavior from the pop-up menu.
3. Choose the appropriate SSDS Behavior (VIOLENCE, VANDALISM RELATED, WEAPON (USED/POSSESSION/SALE), or SUBSTANCE OFFENSE (USED/POSSESSION/SALE)) from the pop-up menu.
4. A behavior sub-code pop-up menu will appear, choose the appropriate sub-code from the pop-up menu.
5. Primary Behavior check box is not used for NJ State Reporting purposes and is optional.
6. Click Add Behavior. The behavior appears under the Incident Elements heading.
7. Click and drag the behavior to the appropriate Offender. The behavior appears under the name of the Offender and also remains listed under the Incident Elements heading.

Important: The Behavior Element may be attached to multiple Offenders. If a Behavior Element is not attached to at least one offender it will not be reported.

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Add an Object

Objects are not defined for use in NJ State Reporting, since the Behavior sub-codes are used to specify types of weapons or substances.

If you wish to define Objects for local reporting purposes, this is optional and you can follow the below instructions. Objects only apply if the offender possessed a weapon.

1. Click the Plus (+) button next to Incident Elements.
2. Choose Add Object from the pop-up menu.
3. From the pop-up menu next to Object Code choose the desired locally-defined Object.
4. If available, choose an applicable sub-code from the pop-up menu below.
5. Complete the Object Code Comment and/or Quantity (number of weapons) if available and desired.
6. Click and drag the object to the appropriate Offender. The Object appears under the name of the offender and also remains listed under the Incident Elements heading.

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Add an Action

The disciplinary action taken against the Offender. An Offender or Victim may or may not have Action(s) associated with them.

As long as an Incident has an Offender (and optionally, a Victim), to whom a Behavior is assigned, the Incident will be reported on NJ SSDS.

Note: in the following directions, reference is made to Offender because that is the usual participant who has an Action, but in the case of a HIB incident, the Victim may have Actions assigned as well.

1. Click the Plus (+) button next to Incident Elements.
2. Choose Add Action from the pop-up menu.
3. Choose the appropriate Action Code (Actions are as defined on the NJ SSDS form) from the pop-up menu.
4. Some Actions have sub-codes and some do not:
   -- Actions such as Suspension, Expulsion, Removal by hearing officer (as seen on the Offender page of the NJ SSDS form), do not have sub-codes.
   -- HIB Remedial Actions are separated into ones for Offenders and ones for Victims, and have sub-codes. Choose the appropriate sub-code from the pop-up menu.
5. Action Code Comment is optional (except for Actions that include the word SPECIFY, where it is mandatory) and is not used for NJ State Reporting.
6. Action Date Range, Action Taken Detail, and Action Resolution Date are not used for NJ State Reporting and are optional.
7. Duration Code is required for NJ State Reporting if the Action chosen is a Removal (In School Suspension, Out of School Suspension, Unilateral Removal, Removal by Hearing Officer). From the pop-up menu choose DAYS^
8. If Action is a Removal, populate the Assigned Duration. Populate the Actual Duration only if it differs from the Assigned Duration. If populated, Actual Duration overrides Assigned Duration on the NJ SSDS.
9. Duration Notes, Action Change Reason, and Action Change Code are not used in NJ State Reporting and are optional.
10. When completed click Add Action button located at the bottom of the page. The action appears under the Incident Elements heading.
11. Click and drag the Action to the Offender, which should be listed under Participants. The Action appears under the Offender and/or their Behavior and is no longer listed under the Incident Elements heading.

Important:  If an Action Element is not attached to a participant it will not be reported.

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Add an Incident-Level Attribute

These are Attributes that are tied to the INCIDENT AS A WHOLE. These attributes are reported on the first page of the NJ SSDS form, and in the case of a HIB Incident, the third page.

All the HIB related attributes begin with the designation "HIB" so they are clustered together.

1. Click the Plus (+) button next to Incident Elements.
2. Choose Add Attribute from the pop-up menu.
3. Choose one or more attributes that apply to this incident. Here are the NJ State Reportable attributes and when they are used:
   1. BIAS RELATED or BIAS INTIMIDATION OCCURRED - a simple checkbox for Yes or No. Select Yes if the incident is deemed to be Bias Related or Bias Intimidation Occurred.
   2. GUN FREE SCHOOLS ACT - if action was taken by the school or district due to a weapon involved in the incident, check the GUN FREE SCHOOLS ACT checkbox, and enter the mandatory Comment for "How was the Gun Free Schools Act followed?"

   3. POLICE NOTIFICATION - choose one and only one of the three options: NONE; POLICE NOTIFIED, COMPLAINT FILED (allows Comment); or POLICE NOTIFIED, NO COMPLAINT FILED.

   4. HIB attributes:

      1. HIB ALLEGED - select Yes if this incident included an allegation of Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying, even if it was not confirmed as such.

      2. HIB INVESTIGATED WITHIN 10 DAYS - select Yes if the allegation was investigated within 10 days.

      3. HIB LEAD INVESTIGATOR - FIRST NAME and LAST NAME - check the box and you are then required to enter in the Comment area the Lead Investigator First and Last Name. These will be reported on page 3 of the SSDS form.

      4. HIB CONFIRMED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION - select Yes or No or leave blank; if Yes is selected, you may enter a Comment (such as date or other information about the Board's action).

      5. HIB - PROTECTED CATEGORY - select one or more for this HIB incident.

      6. HIB - EFFECT - select one or more for this HIB incident.

      7. HIB - MODE - select one or more for this HIB incident.

4. The other attributes listed do not apply to NJ SSDS/HIB Reporting.

5. Click on Add Attributes button at the bottom of the page.

Note: Attributes are applied to the entire incident and remain under the Header of Incident Elements. They cannot be moved to a participant.

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