Description:
Why is this contract needed?
Starting with the 2020-2021 school year, Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) has been provided in every school in the District. IBHS is delivered by licensed mental health provider agencies approved by Community Behavioral Health at no cost to the District. These mental health providers are responsible for providing behavioral health services, which include individual, family, and group therapies, case coordination, and connection with a family peer specialist. Services will be provided in the school, home, and community for each student that receives authorization for the service.
Additionally, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a form of highly effective service delivered by Behavior Consultants and Behavioral Health Technicians with specialized training and experience. ABA is considered the gold standard for supporting children with Autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. ABA helps children learn new skills, such as how to communicate, interact socially, and do more things for themselves. ABA is also recommended to help decrease problem behaviors that result from children having these types of skills deficits. All staff who provide ABA services are overseen by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at the provider agency.
How is this work connected to the District’s plan to achieve Goals & Guardrails?
The IBHS and ABA provider work is connected to Guardrails 1: Welcoming and Supportive Schools, 2: Enriching and Well-rounded School Experiences, and 4: Addressing Racist Practices.
How will the success of this contract be measured?
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is needed between each mental health provider agency, and the School District to outline the responsibilities of each party. In addition, the MOU will have exhibits for each school placement, signed by representatives from each school and the agency to ensure that both understand the needs and expectations of the partner. Additional providers may be added as needed.
If this is the continuation of a contract, how has success been measured in the past, and what specific information do we have to show that it was successful?
Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) are an integral part of how some of our students are supported in school, based on their mental/behavioral health needs. IBHS and ABA is funded through Community Behavioral Health (CBH) and provides a full range of behavioral health assistance to students in the school, home and/or community settings. The services are provided by an IBHS provider agency that has been assigned to every school in the Philadelphia School District (SDP) based on a regionalized model. ABA providers are assigned to students within schools but not based on a regionalized model.
When applicable, is this an evidence-based strategy? If so, what evidence exists to support this approach?
IBHS is designed to address the needs of children by providing trauma-informed and evidence-based therapeutic interventions that support the needs of our students and families.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. It is considered the gold standard for supporting children with Autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. ABA is considered an evidence-based best practice treatment by the US Surgeon General and by the American Psychological Association.
When applicable, was a larger community of District community members and/or stakeholders involved in this selection process? If so, what groups and how?
Through a Community Behavioral Health (CBH) procurement process, IBHS and ABA mental health provider agencies are assigned to schools within cluster regions.