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Supporting People with Challenging Behaviors in Virginia

Overview

Through funding from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, the Partnership and the Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC) developed a comprehensive training, mentoring, and endorsement process for Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) Facilitators. PBS Facilitators use a person-centered, team model to address the supports for individuals who need intensive, personalized approaches to behaviors that present challenges. This project provides funding for providers of supports and services to individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to become PBS Facilitators. Providers can become PBS Facilitators through a standard process or an expedited process. The STANDARD application process includes completion of PBS facilitator training sessions, completion of mentoring, preparation of a portfolio, and interviewing with an Endorsement Board. The EXPEDITED application process is available for practitioners who provide PBS on an ongoing basis and can document their knowledge and skills without training and mentoring. The project is funded by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) through the Office of Mental Retardation.

Major Activities

• Provide training (in at least two areas of the state) and mentoring to practitioners to become PBS Facilitators in Virginia.
• Increase the number (to 70) of PBS Facilitators who can provide behavior consultation services to recipients of the MR and DD Waivers.
• Evaluate the training, mentoring, and endorsement process.

Contact

Emily Helmboldt at (804)502-4532, emilyhelm@earthlink.net
Tera Yoder at (804)828-3879, tyoder@vcu.edu
Carol Schall, VARC at (804)674-8888, ext.5162, cschall@varc.org

Web Address: www.vcu.edu/partnership/pbs