Positive Behavior Support

NEW! Supporting Children and Adolescents with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness

Many children with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and significant behavior problems also present with a mental illness.  Working effectively with children and adolescents requires specialized strategies that are appropriate to their developmental stage.  This training is designed to help staff members who are starting to work with this population.  The content will focus on reviewing developmental stages, the unique challenges that may be encountered in working with children and adolescents, and pointing staff toward integrating Positive Behavior Supports and treatment to facilitate mental wellness.  This full-day program will include discussion of issues related to integrating treatment and behavioral strategies, questions about the differences between the role of parents and staff, and concerns about sexuality, privacy, substance use, and other clinical or behavioral challenges presented by this population.

Basic Positive Behavior Support

C-PEP: To be completed by agency personnel prior to the start of CPEP services
Also see important information on the C-PEP project page.

This two-day training will introduce the fundamental principles of positive behavior support to help care providers gain an understanding of the origins of problem behavior.  Day one will include an overview of essential elements of behavior support, an introduction to functional assessment, the influence of mental health on behavior, and development of practical support strategies. Day two will focus on developing effective interventions for individuals who present with challenging behaviors in community settings. We will introduce the language and tools for support planning, and engage participants in beginning to apply these resources with people they support.

Mental Health Supports

C-PEP: To be completed by agency personnel prior to the start of CPEP services
Also see important information on the C-PEP project page.

This one-day training will review the relationship between mental health and/or mental illness and problem behavior.  We will look at ways that mental illness may contribute to problem behavior, strategies to support individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, and coordinating behavior intervention with therapeutic supports.

Applied Strategies for Implementing Positive Behavior Support

Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Positive Behavior Support

C-PEP: To be completed within two months after completing Basic Positive Behavior Support
Also see important information on the C-PEP project page.

Building on the foundations taught in the Basic Positive Behavior Support sessions, this two day training will help participants learn the strategies necessary to systematically assess behaviors in order to understand the underlying function or motivation, and plan subsequent interventions. On day one, a general outline for conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) will be provided. A number of specific tools to collect data will be reviewed and practiced to help care providers analyze the findings and develop hypothesis statements that can be used to facilitate effective intervention planning. On day two, participants will learn the features of a multi-faceted Behavior Intervention Plan. First, strategies to prevent incidents of problem behavior will be reviewed, based on the FBA. Next, strategies to guide effective responses to problem behaviors will be reviewed. Finally, we will outline how to effectively make long term changes in behavior by teaching new skills and developing alternate behaviors that can take the place of the problem behaviors. Participants are encouraged to bring their own case study materials. This might include background information and/or preliminary FBA findings for an individual for whom you would like to develop a plan.

Family Training in Basic Positive Behavior Support for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

This one-day training is for families who are approved for the CPEP in-home program, or have been authorized by DDD to take the class. The session will introduce families to the fundamental principles and strategies of positive behavior support and is designed to equip family members to work along with the CPEP in-home team to develop and implement effective positive behavior support plans. Topics will include: the origins of problem behavior, introduction to functional behavior assessment, the influence of mental health and mental illness on behavior, and the development of practical behavior support strategies, including effective environmental supports, prevention, and teaching alternative coping skills and behaviors.

Registration Details

Fee information: Employees of DDD and DCF, staff of agencies funded by DDD and DCF, as well as individuals with disabilities and family members - no charge. All other registrants - $150 for Basic and Applied Positive Behavior Support, and $75 for Mental Health Supports. Family Training in Basic Positive Behavior Support for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities is free of charge.

Continuing Education Available: ASWB, DDNA, NJDOE. View Continuing Education Details
Supporting Children and Adolescents with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness
and the Family Training in Basic Positive Behavior Support for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities are not available for Continuing Education credit.

Registration: Register online now

Please note: Submission of the online form is not a confirmation of registration. Submission of the online registration form sends an email request to The Boggs Center. When your form is received, Boggs Center
staff will register you for the course requested, based on space availability. If the training is full,
you will be notified. Written confirmation of your registration and materials will be mailed two weeks prior to the training course. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact us to verify registration and to receive directions and materials.

For more information: Please email Gail DiPane or call 732-235-9314.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School