What is Behavioral Support?
Behavioral Support offers consultation with trained and experienced behavior analysts to help a family or team review an individual’s behavior or learning problems. Strategies are used to change the environment and change behaviors and to teach new skills to families and caretakers.
What Does DSFC’s Behavioral Support Program Offer?
The Behavioral Support Program (BSP) offers individualized services for residents ofFranklinCountywith developmental disabilities as well as their families, caregivers and other interested parties. These may include:
- Functional Behavioral Assessment
- Behavioral Support and Intervention Plans
- Family support and training
- Staff training or school support training
- “Learning to Learn” support services
- Autism training interventions using Applied Behavior Analysis
- Training on Positive Behavior Support and Principles of Behavior
- Other community education or training as resources are available
Who Can Be Served?
We serve individuals who meet or who are at risk of meeting the definition of developmental disability as found in the Senate Bill 40 statute and who exhibit behaviors or concern in their community or home environment. This may include self-injurious or aggressive behavior, socially inapt behavior or inappropriate behavior due to developmental delay.
Who Provides Services and How Are They Provided?
All of our staff are trained in Applied Behavior Analysis, an evidence-based and effective behavioral science. They demonstrate skill and knowledge in applying behavioral strategies and techniques and are supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who is licensed in the state of Missouri. Our services are also CARF accredited. All services are family centered. We use an interdisciplinary approach to include the relevant people in the individual’s environment, including home, school, and community. This team, taking the family’s lead, determines which behaviors are to be addressed or decreased and which learning or social skills need to be increased. Our goal is to decrease inappropriate behavior by replacing it with more effective and socially appropriate skills. We also teach these techniques to families and others to support the individual.
How Do I Get Referred to the Services?
Individuals, parents/guardians or service providers may request behavioral services by contacting their DSFC Service Coordinator. (For more information on obtaining a Service Coordinator you can call Jennifer Gaines 636-583-5801 ext 1214 or Diane White ext 1227.) The Service Coordinator presents the request at our Quality Supports and Intervention Committee meeting. This committee determines the level of need and the resources that are presently available to meet it. If the need cannot be met right away, the service coordinator will look for other pertinent supports.
| For more information, please contact: Lori Schaedler, BCABA Director of Behavioral Support 1-636-583-5801 ext. 1275 lschaedler@dsfranklin.org |