Parent Handbook

Personal Growth Services is pleased to have you join us!

Please familiarize yourself with the policies outlined in this handbook. This handbook serves as your reference for all PGS policies and procedures.

If you have any questions about the content in this handbook, please contact me by phone or email.

Thank you for choosing Personal Growth Services!

 

 

Sincerely, 

Sarah Reiner MS, BCBA, LBA 

Founder & Clinical Director 

sarah@personalgrowthservices.com 

Phone number: (860) 404-6360 

www.personalgrowthservices.com

Mission Statement

Here at Personal Growth Services, our mission is to provide clients a positive experience from start to finish. We prioritize our client-clinician relationship and strive to meet the goals of our clients and families.

Personal Growth Services understands that there is no one size fits all" solution, and we create

individualized plans to best fit your needs. Additionally, we know that our staff represents who we are, and we pride ourselves on having BCBAs and Behavior Technicians that encapsulate our spirit.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

ABA therapy is a treatment that utilizes scientifically derived interventions to support individuals and their

families in acquiring new skills while reducing problem behaviors in order to enhance and improve lives. At its foundation, ABA is based upon empirical data and a strong body of scientific literature to support its effectiveness. Central to the practice of ABA is the idea that all behavior is measurable and reliable. The practice of ABA utilizes evidence based interventions to support individuals with developmental disabilities in overcoming the learning, communication, and behavioral concerns that may accompany their diagnosis. Behaviors are socially significant and often include domains such as language, social, daily living, academic, vocational and recreational/leisure skills.

Copper, J.O., Heron, T.E., & Heward, W.L. ( 2007 Applied Behavior Analysis - second edition

Our treatments are derived from Evidence Based Practice. This means that we use the best available evidence in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis to guide decision making. Using Evidence Based Practices allows Personal Growth Services to individualize programming for each client while still following the behavioral principles.

Assessment and Program Development

Assessments are used to guide treatment development and help select program goals. Our assessment process is outlined below.

Functional Behavior Assessment is made up of indirect and direct assessment methods. This helps us better understand the function of the behavior or the "why". We begin with a functional assessment interview to gather information about the behaviors that are occurring. We then use an indirect assessment tool to gain more insight about the specific behaviors mentioned in the interview. We follow this up with direct observation of the client.

A skills assessment is then conducted with the child. For skills assessment, we use the VB-MAPP or

AFLS. The assessment chosen for your child will be based on their age and current skill levels.

A record review is conducted in order to provide more insight into the behavior and developmental history. Some documents we typically review include: Individualized Education Plans (IEP), psychological evaluations, autism evaluation and diagnostic report, and any other documents families feel comfortable providing us.

A Behavior Intervention Plan, aka BIP, is a plan of action that is created based on results from the FBA and assessment. Inside the BIP, you will find different strategies to change the environment or contingencies to promote behavior change. Programming goals are also found within the BIP.

After the assessment, the evaluator will create the report that contains the FBA, BIP, and program goals. This is submitted to insurance and once it is approved, services may begin.

Program development is ongoing and decisions are made based upon data collection, skills assessments, and information gained during instruction. Program development allows us to review your child's progress, research, and update any new plans as the supervisor prescribes. This service is not optional and it is mandatory with any other service.

Staff Roles

Supervisor, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): This person is the primary contact person for your family and the team working with the client. The BCBA Supervisor trains the BT to implement the programming as prescribed. It is the role of the BCBA to review data regularly and make adjustments to programming as needed. The Supervisor is responsible for providing you with important and useful information regarding your child's treatment.

Behavior Technician (BT): The BT works with your child several times a week. It is the BTs role to implement the programming under the supervision of a BCBA. They ensure that the BCBA Supervisor has all the necessary information required to manage the client's program effectively.

There is no guarantee that the same BT or Supervisor will be assigned to your child's case for the entire time you receive services at Personal Growth Services. Staff assigned to the case may be changed as needed. Signing this handbook acknowledges that you understand your therapist team may change at

Staff are mandated reporters and are required by law to report any suspected abuse or neglect.

Transition

Transitions from one set of criteria goals to another is defined as transitioning. These transitions can either be the result of the client's mastery of goal criteria or can be due to a deficiency or inability to reach current goal objectives with the former resulting in a transition to the next higher-level goal and the latter resulting in a move to a lower-level goal. When moving to a lower-level goal the prerequisite goals are re-evaluated with new goal criteria being established. When goals are mastered original goals will be revisited and the client will be able to move to the next higher-level goal.

A decreasing level of assistance needed to complete a task or activity is defined as fading. Generally, the overall goal is for a client to eventually engage in skills independently and without support or prompting when teaching skills. The process of fading incorporates the Applied Behavior Analysis strategy (ABA) and is paired with a variety of prompts and will begin once the client's progress meets specific predetermined goals.

It is important to involve a gradual step down in services when discharging and transition planning from one or all treatment programs. An effective discharge from a comprehensive ABA treatment occurs over several months. Discharge planning will begin when the client has achieved specific treatment goals with treatment plans being reviewed and evaluated as measured by appropriate standardized protocols.

Dual Relationships

Due to the nature of our business, we work closely and intensely with our families on a frequent basis. As per the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts and RBTs, we maintain a friendly and professional relationship with families and do not engage in any dual relationships.

Dual relationships include, but are not limited to gift giving, friendships, social media engagement, babysitting, sexual relationships, acting as a nanny, etc. At Personal Growth Services, these policies pertain to past and present employees.

Caregivers acknowledge that Personal Growth Services LLC does not ever allow employees to transport clients or client family members.

Under no circumstances are employees of Personal Growth Services to accept gifts of any kind including but not limited to financial gifts, food, monetary gifts or gift cards, etc...

Parent Participation

It is expected that parents are involved in 5 % of the sessions and participate in parent training. Data will be collected for parent goals so that we can evaluate the effectiveness of the parent training. If parents are not willing to cooperate with the rules outlined in the Personal Growth Services Handbook, they will be subject to discharge.

 Parent Behavior

Personal Growth Services employees have the right to work and provide services in a safe environment that supports personal worth, dignity through mutual respect, cooperation, and understanding. Any violent or aggressive behavior (including verbal), discrimination, or harassment towards PersonalGrowth Services staff is not tolerated.

At Personal Growth Services it is expected that adults in the home will treat staff with dignity and respect. There is a zero tolerance policy for behavior that is considered offensive, intimidating, sexual, or unwelcome in any way.

If these policies are broken, the first instance will result in a verbal and written warning. In the event of a second occurrence, clients will face an immediate discharge from Personal Growth Services. Personal Growth Services will provide the family with options of multiple agencies as well as making the transition as smooth as possible by sending all client documentation to the new agency once release forms are signed.

Communication

Texting may be utilized for scheduling purposes only. Texting and calling may only occur during business hours, as we want to respect our staff and families time when they are not working. Those hours will be 8:00am-6:30pm.

Please call the supervisor on the case to discuss anything related to programming or with any questions

A supervisor must be included in all communication with behavior technicians. Supervisors will set up a group chat with the parent(s) and staff so that

Cancellations are an inevitable part of life. We request that if you must cancel, you notify the supervisor and staff member as soon as possible. If cancellations become consistent, we will reach out to you in order to make a plan to further support your family around the schedule.

Personal Growth Services has a 24 hour cancellation policy. We ask that you try to cancel with more than 24 hours notice. We understand that there are circumstances where you might not be able to give 24 hours notice (ie someone is sick, family emergency, etc... 

If you have a vacation or know you will be taking a period of time off from services, please notify Sarah Reiner with as much notice as possible. Staff also take time off periodically. We will do our best to make these hours up and the BCBA may take on those hours, or they may be reserved for a later date within the same authorization period.

If you are running late to your session, please notify the staff member you have the appointment with, as soon as you can. This can be via text or call. We understand things come up and this will happen from time to time. If this becomes consistent, we will discuss how we can better support you and your family around the schedule. If you are late to a session, the therapist may not have the availability to extend the session to the full session length. Please, if you are having difficulty with the confirmed schedule, let your staff member know or reach out to Sarah Reiner to work out a new

Personal Growth Services requires a minimum of 85% attendance per month. After the first month, we will reach out to you to adjust the schedule. If attendance falls below 85% for two consecutive months, you will be subject to possible discharge.

Scheduling

Cancellations or requests for a schedule change must be made at least 24 hours prior to the start of the scheduled session. This does not apply in the case of illness or inclement weather.

In the case of a cancellation with less than 24 hours notice, immediately contact the Supervisor and follow up with a phone call to the therapist who would be working the session.

If for any reason you are running late for a session, please notify the Supervisor and therapist scheduled as soon as possible. Staff will wait for up to 15 minutes without notification of tardiness. After 15

minutes, it is considered a cancellation under 24 hours.

Schedule Change Requests

To request a general schedule change or discuss scheduling concerns, email the Director. Personal Growth Services requests that families give at least two weeks notice for any significant changes to the

In the event of a cancelled session, the therapist may offer to schedule a make-up session or stay later for a scheduled visit to make up missed time.

If there are excessive instances of tardiness or cancellations, we may need to re-evaluate schedules (re: drive time, traffic, time of day, etc )

Payment and Financial Responsibility

Invoices: Personal Growth Services, LLC will invoice families with balances monthly. You will receive an invoice with the date of service, time of service, and service type. Invoices will be sent out electronically on a bi-weekly basis. If you would like to receive a paper copy, please send an email to

Sarah@personalgrowthservices.com,

Insurance: Personal Growth Services, LLC will ensure that any and all preauthorization, assessment, and progress reports are completed in a timely manner and submitted prior to any due dates to ensure ongoing and uninterrupted therapy services.

If a claim comes back as uninsurable, the full amount of services will be billed to the client after 6 Odays. If this is the case, it is your responsibility to contact the insurance company for reimbursement. You as the client are responsible for any charges or portions of charges that are not covered by your insurance company. Any paperwork necessary for contacting insurance is available upon request.

The parents/guardians of the child receiving services remain completely responsible for the full payment of all services, including late payment fees. We accept payment via cash, Venmo, or check. There is a $40.00 fee fro all bank returned checks.

Wellness Policy

Personal Growth Services has a strict wellness policy that is in place to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. This policy requires that a session by cancelled if the client or anyone in the home displays one or more of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting/Diarrhea
• Temperature greater than 100 degrees
• Respiratory problems- coughing, discolored discharge from the nose
• Infection or Rash of the skin (ex. poison ivy, ringworm, conjunctivitis/pink eye)
• Communicable disease (influenza, chickenpox, strep throat, etc...)

All members of the home must be symptom free without the aid of medication for 24 hours before therapy sessions resume. Sessions may resume when the incubation and contagious period have passed, and the infected person is well enough to resume normal activities. If the client or a member of the family within the home becomes ill during session, session will immediately be cancelled.

If the client exhibits any of the above symptoms, parents should contact Personal Growth Services staff to cancel the session. If a child did not attend school or was sent home early from school due to an illness, there should be no therapy session that day.

Parents agree to notify the staff within 24 hours if there is a diagnosis of a serious contagious illness or parasitic infestation. Some instances require written permission from a doctor saying that the child is well enough and that it is safe to resume therapy. This is for the wellbeing of both the client, client's family, and the staff.

Covid Protocol

Prior to each visit, families will be screened via text to make sure there are no symptoms or possible exposures. This helps to keep our staff and clients safe and healthy. If the screening questions are not answered prior to session, staff will be unable to enter the home.

I, acknowledge that I have read and received a copy of the parent handbook. I acknowledge that I have asked any questions about policies and procedures and will follow the protocols outlined in the handbook.