Intensive Behavioral Health Services
Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) is a program designed to support children under the age of 21 with mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs. Services can be provided in a one-to-one or group format.
What is IBHS?
IBHS services are provided in the home, school, community, or community-like settings and include the following service lines: Individual Services, ABA Services, and Group Services. Children must have a mental health or behavioral health disorder diagnosis
How can IBHS help my child?
IBHS services provide individualized treatment to the child, while transferring skills to the child’s natural supports (e.g., family members, school teams, community members). One-to-one supports are often used to teach functional communication and compensatory strategies so the child can be successful in the least restrictive environment
Hours of service are determined by medical necessity. After intake, the process starts with a comprehensive assessment followed by the development of an individualized treatment plan. Input from the family and other natural supports is highly encouraged to ensure that treatment goals are meaningful and socially significant. The team includes highly-trained master’s level clinicians, support staff, family members, and the child. The treatment process involves:
- Assessing the child’s strengths and needs
- Setting goals for the child and family
- Data collection, consultation, and feedback
- Evaluating treatment success on an ongoing basis
- Discharging to a lower level of care when goals are met
Who is eligible for IBHS?
- Must be under the age of 21
- Have a mental or behavioral health diagnosis
- Be recommended for the service in a Written Order by a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, PCP , or other qualified professional and approved by the local Managed Care Organization (MCO)
- Meets medical necessity for the service as determined by the assessment
- Must be eligible for Medical Assistance (Note: any child with a mental/behavioral health diagnosis are eligible regardless of income, call your local Medical Assistance office to enroll)
(Please Note: Any child with a mental health diagnosis may become MA eligible in the state of PA)
IBHS Service Types
Individual Services – typically provided to children and adolescents in need of behavioral supports in one or more settings or to address symptoms of a mental health diagnosis
Individuals with autism that need behavioral support only may be recommended for either Individual Services or ABA services based on medical necessity.
Services are led by a Behavior Consultant (BC) with or without the support of a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
Treatment will target behavior reduction while teaching functional replacement behaviors through implementation of evidence-based treatment strategies.
Mobile Therapy (MT)
(will either be assigned a BC-ABA or a BCBA)
Individuals with autism that are experiencing mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc…) may also benefit from Mobile Therapy (MT) services. This can occur as a standalone service or be provided along with BC and BHT services. Goals and interventions will target symptom reduction and teaching of compensatory strategies using evidence-based treatment modalities.
Assistant Behavior Consultant (ABC)
– Assists the BCBA or BC-ABA in transferring skills to team members
– Compiles and analyzes data
– Provides one-to-one interventions
Behavioral Health Technician-ABA (BHT-ABA)
– Works one-on-one with the child or adolescent in the home, school, and/or community setting
– Implements interventions outlined in the individualized treatment plan
– Transfers skills of effective interventions to team members
Provided to children who require behavior supports in one or more settings and/or display skill deficits in communication, social/play, life skills or executive functioning domains
Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
(will either be assigned a BCBA or a BC-ABA)
– A Board Certified Behavior Analyst
– A master’s level clinician who consults, trains, and transfers skills and interventions to all treatment team members.
– Completes a comprehensive assessment and updates it regularly.
– Collaborates with team members to develop an individualized treatment plan.
– Analyzes treatment data and makes revisions to the treatment plan
Behavior Consultant-ABA (BC-ABA)
(will either be assigned a BC-ABA or a BCBA)
– A master’s level clinician who consults, trains, and transfers skills and interventions to all treatment team members.
– Completes a comprehensive assessment.
– Collaborates with team members to develop an individualized treatment plan with goals and interventions specific to the child.
– Analyzes treatment data and makes revisions to the treatment plan
Assistant Behavior Consultant (ABC)
– Assists the BCBA or BC-ABA in transferring skills to team members
– Compiles and analyzes data
– Provides one-to-one interventions
Behavioral Health Technician-ABA (BHT-ABA)
– Works one-on-one with the child or adolescent in the home, school, and/or community setting
– Implements interventions outlined in the individualized treatment plan
– Transfers skills of effective interventions to team members
Individuals with autism that need behavioral support only may be recommended for either Individual Services or ABA services based on medical necessity.
IBHS Group Services
ACRP offers Summer and Afterschool Programs through IBHS Group services. Many sites run group programs that are designed to meet the behavioral and skill development needs of individuals with autism. These programs fall under the umbrella of IBHS and offer a structured and supportive environment where participants can engage in a variety of therapeutic activities, skill-building exercises, and social interactions.
ABA Specific Programs
Group IBHS programs can be ABA specific, target specific skill sets (such as social skills programming) or support behavior management. Some programs may only include participants with an autism diagnosis while other programs may serve participants with a range of diagnoses.
Program Availability
Group program availability is dependent on location, client and community needs, and staffing. Please reach out to the office nearest you to see what IBHS Group programs are available in your area!