ABA Services

Serving Kent, Sussex, and Select parts of

New Castle Delaware

2017 Parent Handbook

Innovation Behavior Services

1325 S. State St., Suite 101
Dover, DE 19901

Telephone: (302) 244-3404

Fax: (302) 261-0202
www.innovationba.com
Email: [email protected]
 302-244-3404
[email protected]

Dear New Client,

Welcome to Innovation Behavior services, a leading provider of services for

families and children with autism. Improving lives is our first priority. We are
excited about the opportunity to work with you and your child. Our goal is to
teach your child to overcome challenges and live a fulfilling, productive, and
happy life.

The key to a successful client and provider relationship is to understand the

business and treatment aspects of our services. This Parent Handbook
contains very important information about our services, financial obligations,
and insurance guidelines along with our day-to-day involvement with your
child. Please ask any questions you have about our services, policies, or
anything else contained in this handbook Our program is a cooperative effort
between you and our staff.

Together we can make a difference in your childs path to positive learning.

Thank you for choosing Innovation Behavior Services

Sincerely,

Maureen Foss M.S., BCBA, LBA

CEO
Innovation Behavior Services

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT FORM

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Client Name: ________________________________________________ DOB:

_____________

Date: _____________________

I grant Innovation Behavior Services permission to record sessions for the

purpose of supervision and use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other
digital media (photo) in any and all of its publications, including web-based
publications, without payment or other consideration. I understand and
agree that all photos will become the property of the Innovation Behavior
Services and will not be returned. I hereby irrevocably authorize the
Innovation Behavior Services to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or
distribute these photos for any lawful purpose. In addition, I waive any right
to inspect or approve the finished product wherein my likeness appears.
Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or
related to the use of the photo.

Initial of Legal Guardian: ___________

Acknowledgement of Receipt of Parent Handbook: This

acknowledges that I have received, read and understand the parent
handbook in its entirety.

Signature of Legal Guardian:

______________________________________________________

Printed Name: _______________________________________________ Date:

____________

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO YOUR BCBA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Program Overview
Pg. 5 Where to find us
Pg. 5 Insurances Accepted
Pg. 5 Mission
Pg. 6 What is ABA
Pg. 6 Notice of Confidentiality
Pg. 6 Non-Discrimination Policy

Client Services
Pg. 7 Personalized Training Program
Pg. 7 Communication and Testing
Pg. 7 Parent Training

General policies
Pg. 8 Holidays and Agency Closings / Severe Weather Closings
Pg. 8 Transportation of Children and Field Trips
Pg. 8 Food and Snacks
Pg. 9 Communication
Pg. 9 Cancellation / Rescheduling
Pg. 9 Delaware Reporting Law

Emergency and Security Procedures

Pg. 11 Emergency preparation
Pg. 11 Discipline and safety
Pg. 11 Emergency Restraint

Health care procedures

Pg. 12 Health records
Pg. 12 Reporting of Illness and Communicable Disease

Clients Rights / Responsibilities Policy

Pg. 13 Client Rights
Pg. 13 Client / Caretaker Responsibilities

Questions and Complaints

Pg. 14 Questions and Complaints
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

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Where to Find Us
Innovation Behavior Services

1325 S. State St.

Suite 101
Dover, DE 19901
Telephone: (302) 244-3404
Fax: (302) 261-0202
www.innovationba.com
Email: [email protected]

Innovation Behavior Services maintains active participation in the Delaware

Chapter of the Association for Behavior Analysis (DE-ABA), the Association
for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Association of Professional
Behavior Analysts (APBA).

Insurances Accepted
Innovation Behavior Services is in-network with a variety of Insurance plans
and is regularly adding more to serve you and your family. Please call our
offices for more information on insurances we currently accept.

Mission
Our Mission is to help children with autism and other disorders live fulfilling,
productive, and happy lives. We believe that skills are learned and unwanted
behavior is reduced best when it is practiced in the places and situations
where the new skills need to be used.

We help improve communication skills, social skills, self-care, independent

living skills, play skills, group interactions, increasing productivity and much
more!

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

What is ABA
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the study of the functional relationship
between ones behaviors and their environment. The goal of a behavior
analyst is to utilize behavioral contingencies to help the child learn more
functional skills that can replace undesirable behaviors and improve quality
of life. Innovation Behavior Services seeks to produce significant results
enabling the child to adapt to their environment thus preparing them for a
brighter future.

Behavior Analysis is the scientific study of principles of learning and

behavior. ABA is a systematic approach for influencing socially important
behavior through the identification of reliably related environmental
variables and the production of behavior change techniques that make use of
those findings. Practitioners of behavior analysis provide services consistent
with the dimensions of ABA. Common services may include, but are not
limited to, conducting behavioral assessments, analyzing data, writing and
revising behavior-analytic treatment plans, training others to implement
components of treatment plans, and overseeing the implementation of
treatment plans. Behavior analysts are qualified to provide services to clients
with a variety of needs, including improvements in organizational functioning
(e.g., staff performance, management and pay structure interventions), skill
deficits (e.g., communication, adaptive behavior), and problem behavior
(e.g., aggression, self-injurious behavior), among others.
https://bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/
Non-Discrimination Policy
Innovation Behavior Services, along with staff and directors do not
discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, religion, age, gender
identity and expression, covered veteran status, protected genetic
information, marital status, lifestyle, disability of any type, pregnancy, sexual
orientation, national or ethnic origin, income level, health status and or
political affiliation.
Our services are offered in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act.

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CLIENT SERVICES

Personalized Training Program

Each clients program is individualized and based on his or her goals and
unique learning style. Every client receives an assessment, and, in
cooperation with parents, goals and objectives are designed to meet his or
her individual needs. The functioning level of the child will determine which
assessment the Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) chooses to use.
Feel free to contact your BCBA for information related to your childs chosen
assessment.

Parent Training
Parents are integral to the success of each child. Innovation Behavior
Services strives to include parents in all aspects of therapy from goal and
objective development to treatment strategies and behavior management
skills. Consistency of programming across settings is our ultimate aim. We
are available to train parents in the areas of behavior management and the
application of discrete trial training in the hopes that parents will also
become part of the childs therapy team. Parents are required to participate
in sessions (at minimum 25 minutes/week).

Additional Resources:
We offer special parent training videos to help you understand the
concepts we are using to treat your child. We want you to understand
and use our techniques!
Additional training is available for those families who need help
managing crisis situations more effectively and more safely.

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 GENERAL POLICIES
302-244-3404
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Holidays and Agency Closings

The offices of Innovation Behavior Services will be closed on the days listed
below. Additional days may be added as determined by the Agency Director.
New Years Independence Veterans Day Christmas Eve
Day Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day
Easter Labor Day Day New Years Eve*
Memorial Day Oct 11- Day After
Founders Day Thanksgiving
*the company expects all session end by noon on New Years Eve
Severe Weather Closings
Innovation Behavior Services Director or her/his designee reserves the right
to cancel services for a specified period of time, due to severe weather
reported in an area where a technician lives or expected to work. No
contractor or employee is expected to drive when driving warnings or severe
weather restrictions are in place. Policy includes, but is not limited to:
Emergency conditions or severe inclement weather expected as
reported by the National Weather Service
A Declared State of Emergency
Level 1 driving warning ordered by the Governor of the State of
Delaware
Services may be rescheduled at the discretion of Innovation Behavior
Services and the client/caretaker/guardian. Please feel free to contact us at
302-244-3404 for updates.

Transportation of Children and Field Trips

On occasion, Innovation Behavior Services technicians may recommend
walking field trips in the neighborhood or trips in the community. Parents or
designated caretaker (responsible person of 18 years or older) are to attend
all field trips. If parents prefer that children not attend a field trip, the clients
regular schedule will be followed. Client/ family member/guardian/ caretaker
may not ride as a passenger in or on our technicians personal vehicle at any
time. Technicians may ride with the client for programming purposes.

Food and Snacks

Snack time is an ideal time to practice fine motor skills as well as to build
language skills. Parents are responsible for providing their child with labeled
snacks and are encouraged to provide healthy snacks.

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Communication
Here at Innovation Behavior Services communication is key. Please let us
know if you prefer to communicate via email or phone and we will try to
accommodate your communication preferences. Please understand that due
to our commitment to protecting your childs health information, we require
that our technicians do not communicate with parents via text messaging
except in the case of an emergency and other attempts of communication
have failed.

You can feel free to contact the office at 302-244-3404 or email us or your
clinician and/or technician if you have questions.

Cancellations/Rescheduling
For all appointment rescheduling and cancellations please contact our offices
and/or your clinician/BCBA if you need to cancel or change an appointment.
If you need to change an appointment less than 24 hours in advance, please
know that you may be charged a $35 missed session fee which is not
covered by insurance. Emergency circumstances may be considered for a
waiver of this fee on a case by case basis. A doctors excuse may also be
accepted for missed sessions with less than 24-hours notice.

If a client/family initiates cancelations for 10% or more of scheduled sessions

during any 90-day trial period, their services may be reviewed and
considered for discharge.

Delaware Reporting Law

If an employee witnesses, is told of, or suspects an incident of physical
abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse, financial exploitation, neglect or a death
has occurred, the employee or agency shall report the allegation to the
appropriate abuse hotline. All of our clinicians and technicians are mandated
reporters under Delaware law.

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EMERGENCY AND SECURITY PROCEDURES

Discipline and safety

We use positive behavioral supports to allow clients to become successful
and prepare them for independent living. Each child is taught in accordance
with their individualized treatment plan using the principals of applied
behavioral analysis which may include: redirection, token systems, social
praise for appropriate behavior, or temporary removal of reinforcement. A
behavior plan is developed and overseen by Board-Certified Behavior
Analyst. All professional ethical standards are observed. We do not tolerate
any form of corporal, humiliating, and /or traumatic treatment.

Emergency Restraint
In the case of an emergency that involves behaviors representing a
significant danger to themselves or others while the client is enrolled in an
Innovation Behavior Services program, the technician may use Physical
management to prevent harm to the client or others. In the case that Safety
Care procedures are needed for new or unusual behaviors for which a
behavior intervention plan is not already developed for a client, a behavior
intervention program may be written for the client.

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HEALTHCARE PROCEDURES

Health Records
Innovation Behavior Services maintains health records on all clients in
programs with our organization. It is the parents responsibility to provide us
with updated information when there is a change to their childs health
records this includes Health changes in medication, new diagnosis, or
changes in doses, planned medical procedures.

Reporting of Illness and Communicable Disease

Please notify the technician, as much in advance as possible, at least 24
hours before the next scheduled session if you know that your child (or other
children in your home) will not be able to participate in the program the next
day due to illness.
Sickness includes, but not limited to the following:

Temperature Communicable Foot/Mouth Diarrhea

above 100 (contagious) Disease Rash
Mumps Disease Measles Pink Eye
Pin Worm Chicken Pox Lice
Strep Throat Vomiting
a. Parents are asked to use the same guidelines used in a school if a child
(or sibling) is
too sick to attend school, he or she is too sick to participate in his/her
therapy session.

b. Therapy will resume as soon as the childs doctor clear him/her of being
contagious
or the remedy is completed. If a therapist arrives at the home and the child
is sick, the
therapist will not be able to work with your child.

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Client Rights/Responsibilities Policy

Client Rights

The right to be treated with consideration and respect for personal

dignity, autonomy, and privacy.
The right to be free of any intrusive procedures that would violate
personal privacy or dignity.
The right to service in a humane setting that is the least restrictive
feasible as defined in the treatment plan.
The right to be informed of one's own condition, or proposed or current
services, treatment, or therapies, and of the alternatives.
The right to be informed of available program services.
The right to consent to or refuse any service, treatment, or therapy
upon full explanation of the expected consequences of such consent or
refusal. A parent or legal guardian may consent to or refuse any
service, treatment, or therapy on behalf of a minor or legally
determined incompetent client.
The right to a current, written, individualized behavior support plan
that addresses one's own needs, and that specifies the provision of
appropriate and adequate services, as available, either directly or by
referral.
The right to participate in the development, periodic reassessment,
review and/or revision in ones own behavior support plan and receive
a copy of it.
The right to freedom from unnecessary or excessive medication.
The right to know how ones medical information may be used and
disclosed and how to access to this information (Privacy Notice).
The right to receive a current Privacy Notice, explaining how ones
personal health information will be handled.
The right to request restrictions on the use and disclosure of personal
information for the purposes of treatment, payment or health care
operations.
The right to request the method by which communication will occur,
such as by cell phone or mail.
The right to freedom from unnecessary restraint or seclusion.
The right to request amendment or correct ones personal information.

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The right to expect that any business affiliated with our agency and
with whom your information may be disclosed (computer repair
company, etc.,) will be required to enter a contract with Innovation
Behavior Services stating that they will agree to protect the
confidentiality of any information that is disclosed.
The right to be informed of and refuse any unusual or hazardous
treatment procedures.
The right to choose involvement in any research project.
The right to be informed of the Professional and Ethical Compliance
Code for Behavior Analysts. (located at http://bacb.com)
The right to be advised of and refuse observation by others and by
techniques such as one-way vision mirrors, tape recorders, video
recorders, televisions, movies, or photographs.
The right to have the opportunity to consult with independent
treatment specialists or legal counsel, at one's own expense.
The right to confidentiality of communications and of all personal
identifying information, within the limitations and requirements for
disclosure of various funding and/or certifying sources, state or federal
statutes, unless release of information is specifically authorized by the
client or parent or legal guardian of a minor client or court-appointed
Guardian of the Person of an adult client.
The right to have access to one's own psychiatric, medical, or other
treatment records, in accordance to Federal law, unless access to
particular identified items of information is specifically restricted for
that individual client for clear treatment reasons in the client's
treatment plan. "Clear treatment reasons" shall be understood to mean
only severe emotional damage to the client such that dangerous or
self-injurious behavior is an imminent risk. The person restricting the
information shall explain to the client and other persons authorized by
the client the factual information about the individual client that
necessitates the restriction. The restriction must be renewed at least
annually to retain validity. Any person authorized by the client has
unrestricted access to all information. Clients shall be informed in
writing of agency policies and procedures for viewing or obtaining
copies of personal records.
The right to be informed in advance of the reason(s) for discontinuance
of service provision and to be involved in planning for the
consequences of that event.
The right to receive an explanation of the reasons for denial of service.
The right to not to be discriminated against in the provision of service
on the basis of gender, color, race, ethnicity, creed, national origin,
age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression, covered veteran status or protected genetic information,
marital status, lifestyle, income level, health status and/or political

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affiliation religion, marital status, physical or mental handicap, health

status, HIV infection (whether asymptomatic or symptomatic), AIDS, or
developmental disability.
The right to know the cost of services.
The right to be fully informed of all client rights.
The right to exercise any and all rights without reprisal in any form
including continued uncompromising access to service.
The right to file a grievance in accordance to agency procedures.
The right to have oral and written instructions for filing a grievance
upon your request.

Client/Caretaker Responsibilities

The responsibility to keep scheduled appointments and to give at least

24 hours notice when you must cancel an appointment.
The responsibility to assure a responsible caretaker, age 18 or older Is
present during all sessions and for the entire session.
The responsibility to maintain a safe environment, free from hazards or
dangerous persons in order to assure the wellbeing of the client,
yourself and the technicians/BCBAs entering your home.
To provide accurate information to the best of your ability to your
treatment team
The responsibility to participate in the development of the treatment
plan to participate in therapy sessions as requested and to learn how
to implement the treatment plan
The responsibility to communicate changes in health conditions
The responsibility to communicate changes in medications or
treatments
The responsibility to attend medical appointments for routine care and
acute care with other health care providers
The responsibility to communicate increases in or emergence of severe
maladaptive behavior to the technician or BCBA (ex: self-injurious
behavior, aggression, behavior that could result in harm to the client or
others)
The responsibility to keep and report to the BCBA reasonable data on
dangerous maladaptive behaviors (ex: elopement to an unsafe area,
intense self-injury, intense aggression)

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The responsibility to follow the reasonable instructions of your BCBA

(treatment plan) for managing safety for yourself and others.
To fulfill financial obligations for care and services at the time services
are rendered
The responsibility to treat technicians, BCaBAs, BCBAs and Innovations
Administrative staff in a respectful manner and to keep the treatment
environment free from harassment and discrimination
The responsibility to not to use ABA therapy as a substitute for
reasonable health care treatment or evaluation or for respite
care/babysitting.
The responsibility to be free from the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs
during treatment sessions.
The responsibility to ask questions and seek clarification regarding
areas of concern; and to weigh the consequences of refusing to comply
with instructions and recommendations

QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS

If you have any questions regarding this handbook or wish to receive

additional information about our privacy practices, please contact our office.
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a
complaint at our either by phone, mail or by email.
Innovation Behavior Services
1325 S. State St., Suite 101
Dover, DE 19901
Telephone: (302) 244-3404 | Email: [email protected]

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