Positive Behavioral Support
What is Positive Behavioral Support all about?
Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) is a model used to develop behavioral plans for children (and adults) with special needs and challenging behaviors. The PBS model is being implemented across the nation and is a research-based protocol. In this approach, challenging behaviors are viewed as communication. Often, behaviors are used by individuals with disabilities to communicate because they can be an effective way to get what is needed or desired. In positive behavior support, a team observes an individual's behavior in many settings, and begins to identify patterns. Once the team understands what is being communicated through the behavior, they teach the individual a more desirable and socially appropriate behavior with which to communicate their needs and wishes. The specific strategies needed to make the observations and develop positive behavioral support plans for children are the focus of the training offered by Stone Soup Group.
School-wide PBS: Click here for School-wide Positive Behavioral Support.
Positive Behavioral Support Training
Who can attend the training?
The training sessions typically involve 2-5 teams of family members and professionals who are supporting children who experience disabilities and have difficult behaviors. The teams may consist of parents, teachers, teachers' assistants, respite care providers, psychologists, community service providers, and others who are most closely involved in the care of the child. With parental permission, local professionals who are interested in learning more about Positive Behavioral Support may join a team for the duration of the training.
How does the training work?
The training format is a combination of large group instruction and collaborative team work. After each session, the training teams complete homework assignments applying the techniques in each child's home and school environments. By the conclusion of the training, each team will have a Positive Behavioral Support plan implemented.
What is the time commitment?
Typically, the training takes a total of 3 days. The group receives training in three 1-day sessions over a 3-month period. This allows the teams to work with the children between sessions and then come back to the next training with a progress report and discuss any problems encountered. Participants should make a commitment to attend all days of the training, and attend team meetings between sessions.
Positive Behavioral Support Technical Assistance
What is Technical Assistance?
The Institute for Positive Behavioral Support also will provide technical assistance for individual teams working with children with challenging behaviors. Typically, Technical Assistance involves three to four half-day meetings in which the team is guided by a Stone Soup Group technical assistance provider through the PBS process, completing a functional behavioral assessment, identifying environmental factors that may be setting up or triggering problem behaviors and discerning communication skill deficits that need remediation.
How can my school district or agency request training or technical assistance?
Stone Soup Group can meet with your school district or agency to discuss the coordination of the training or technical assistance so that your specific needs will be met. In order to adequately plan and coordinate trainings, Stone Soup requests at least two months advance notification. Sponsoring districts and agencies are asked to identify and recruit teams from their community, as well as provide financial support for the teams that they send. Registration fees cover training materials for each team.
Who do I call if I have more questions?
Please call the Institute for Positive Behavioral Support Director, Pam Shackelford, at (907) 561-3789 to arrange a meeting or teleconference to discuss accessing PBS training or technical assistance. You can also e-mail Pam at: pams@stonesoupgroup.org.
Positive Solutions For Families : Parent Trainings
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel/
For more information, contact:
Pam Shackelford
Program Manager, Institute for Positive Behavioral Support
Stone Soup Group
307 E. Northern Lights Blvd. #100
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 561-3701 or 1-877-786-7327
pams@stonesoupgroup.org
This program is made possible by a grant from the State of Alaska Department of Education & Early Development.
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