For teens and young adults working towards independence, AZA United offers the AIMS program, which stands for “Achieving Independence through Mentorship & Safety.” The AIMS program provides one-to-one, home and community-based sessions to help participants set their own goals, harnessing personal motivation to build skills and improve behavioral issues that may be a barrier to important aspects of their life. Through this program, participants not only accomplish meaningful goals but learn how to set and maintain their own goals in the future.
Program Highlights
- For individuals ages 16 & older who are self-motivated to participate
- Designed to help participants make progress toward their own life goals
- AIMS is for teens and adults with autism and other behavioral health conditions
- Behavioral strategies rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support values-based choices
Program Overview
Achieving Independence through Mentorship and Safety (AIMS) is a structured, person-centered program that helps older teens and adults build the skills, confidence, and support networks needed to live more independently and safely. Designed for individuals ages 16 and older who are interested in working toward personal goals, AIMS uses a mentorship approach to provide clinical guidance, and real-world practice to develop lifelong skills and create meaningful, lasting growth.
Each participant works one-on-one with a mentor to pursue individualized goals related to areas such as employment, community participation, relationships, independence, safety, and daily life skills. Through planned activities at home and in the community, participants practice applying new skills in real-life situations while receiving encouragement, accountability, and support.
AIMS programs are overseen by a licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who often works behind the scenes to support the mentor, guide treatment, plan goal-directed activities, monitor progress and make adjustments as needed. Participants meet with their mentor multiple times per week in addition to planning meetings with the BCBA and the participant’s personal support network, which may include family members, caregivers, and other natural supports. These collaborative meetings ensure that goals remain meaningful, achievable, and aligned with the participant’s long-term vision.
A unique feature of AIMS is its focus on building natural supports that continue long after services end. Throughout the program, the team helps participants identify and strengthen relationships with family members, friends, coworkers, community members, and other trusted supporters who can provide ongoing guidance and encouragement. By the end of the program, participants have not only developed new skills, but also a stronger network of people and resources to help them maintain their success.
Most participants complete AIMS in approximately nine months, leaving with greater competence, confidence, and independence in the areas that matter most to them.
AZA’s Model of Care
Rooted in the science and treatment models of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), AIMS uses the participant’s interest in working toward self-directed goals to teach the pivotal skills of goal setting, self-monitoring, and troubleshooting. The ultimate goal is to have participants leave the program with the skills necessary to continue working toward their own goals through life.
