The Positive Behavioral Support Initiative (PBSI) aims to develop a model program to create safe schools by addressing students' emotional and behavioral needs. PBSI uses a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies to achieve social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior for all students. It is a general approach, not a specific practice or curriculum, based on a long history of effective behavioral and instructional strategies. PBSI ties into existing efforts through a multi-tiered model involving school-wide systems, individual modeling by adults, and teaching social skills to students.