For individuals living in group homes with complex behavior challenges, AZA United offers the Behavior Stabilization & Support (BSS) program. This unique model of specialized training and support is designed to help group home staff, parents and other caregivers understand the root causes of behavioral complexities, and to implement practical interventions that are effective in reducing challenging incidents while always respecting the choices, autonomy and dignity of the person served. BSS can be requested by parents/guardians or group home managers, but all relevant caregivers must participate in order to ensure success.
Program Highlights
- Available for children, teens & adults living in residential settings (group homes)
- Includes a combination of direct support to stabilize behavior and caregiver coaching
- Provided in collaboration with parents/guardians and group home managers
- Includes extensive hands-on training and support for group home staff and caregivers
- Begins with day-to-day support to address complex challenges
- Frequency of support is reduced as progress is made and caregivers are trained
- All intervention strategies are rooted in the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Program Overview
Behavior Stabilization & Support (BSS) is an intensive behavioral treatment and caregiver training program for people with severe, complex, high risk problem behavior typically living in supported living situations such as group homes. BSS is considered a “Focused ABA” treatment model which uses intervention strategies based on a Functional Analysis and a Behavioral Skills Training model for effective and meaningful caregiver training.
The BSS program is intended to last 12-15 months. This service is only available if facilitated by a case manager through a Behavioral Health Home and an AHCCCS health plan. It is available for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as co-occurring serious mental illness (SMI).
A typical session includes planned activities that are unique to each person focusing on their individualized behavioral needs. For example, if outings are difficult, the team works on outings. If daily living tasks are a challenge, then the team works on that. If bedtime or mealtime are consistently disruptive, those activities can be the focus of the session. There is no limit to what activities are targeted; everything is customized based on the individual’s unique needs and circumstances.
BSS usually includes 4-5 direct treatment sessions per week which are between 2-5 hours. Additionally, there are between 2-3, two-hour caregiver coaching sessions. Some sessions are direct treatment, but caregiver participation is required between 2-3 sessions per week. Session frequency and duration are high intensity at the beginning, but around 3-6 months into treatment direct treatment begins to phase out, and the final 3-6 months are comprised of just caregiver coaching sessions. During the initial high-intensity phase sessions can be up to 5 days per week, for one or two sessions. As intensity fades after 3-6 months, session frequency reduces to 2-3 sessions per week of caregiver coaching only.
BSS treatment plans are developed by a licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and implemented along with a group of specially trained clinicians and technicians that make up the individual’s treatment team. Together they provide a combination of services that include modeling strategies, coaching caregivers, and measuring progress.
AZA’s Model of Care
BSS is a behavior analytic program designed to treat severe behavior, most often for people living in group homes. BSS is not only designed to treat behavior. Rather, it is designed to train caregivers to implement and maintain behavioral treatment as BSS service intensity fades and ultimately transitions control to natural and DSP caregivers.
