New Service Helps Support Families | Get Started

Behavioral Support Services

Person-Centered Behavioral Support

Coming Early 2024

Behavioral Support Services (BSS) provides behavioral consultations and training to families and organizations that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are experiencing behavioral issues.

The program provides a person-centered, cost-effective approach to address challenging behaviors to help people in their current home, occupational or academic settings. These services will improve quality of life for those who are either in crisis or at risk of being in crisis and as an early intervention/prevention service.

Serving Unmet Needs

People with IDD and behavioral issues often get caught without adequate support. BSS serves to address the significant impact of the unmet needs in our care systems, such as:

  • Families being stretched to the breaking point, with unintended consequences such as reduced incomes, job loss, divorce, and mental and physical health complications brought on by stress.
  • Hospital systems providing supports they are not trained to provide, leading to staff members suffering burnout and injuries or quitting their jobs.
  • Public resources being used in ways that address a symptom, rather than solve a systemic problem.

Contact for More Info Download BSS Brochure BSS Program Description

Find More Information

Program Details

Our services and their duration are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the complexity and intensity of service(s) needed. Behavioral Support Services are provided by a caring and qualified team and include direct coordination with existing providers. Services will be offered in the south metro as well as south central and southeast Minnesota.

Services Include

  • Person-centered behavioral assessments
  • Support plan consultation
  • Engagement and coordination with community resources
  • Positive supports
  • Crisis support planning
  • Data collection, including quality of life measures
  • Training for hospital staff, group homes, schools, day programs, county agencies and more

Service Population

  • Adults and children with IDD who are having behavioral issues
  • Those who are at risk of losing their current living, occupational or academic situations
  • Those in crisis within the system of care
  • Families and systems of care

Get in Touch

Interested in Behavioral Support Services? Get in touch today to learn more.

JR Larson

J. R. Larson

Director of Business Development

Main: 507-645-8866 Ext. 107

FAQs

  • Parents, family members or caregivers of a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and behavioral concerns
  • Community-based organizations and systems with which people with IDD interact (i.e., schools, law enforcement, hospitals, etc.)
  • Organizations responsible for supporting people with IDD
  • Professionals supporting clients with IDD

Our staff can come to your location or residence for assessment and observation/consultation. This depends on the location and individual needs of the client. Remote telehealth may be utilized as part of the long-term behavioral support plans. We recommend setting up a free initial conversation to discuss your specific situation and needs.

This service can be provided remotely in some circumstances through video connection if available and/or through phone consultation. Our geographic focus area is the Twin Cities metro area and southeastern Minnesota, and we can work with others across the state.

Before you decide to start BSS, we offer an initial conversation to understand your situation and determine if we think we can help you in achieving better outcomes.

Every situation is different. Our recommendations and suggestions usually take time to implement, require consistent application and usually don’t create immediate results. In most cases we would expect to work with clients for several months to a couple of years. We recognize that some needs may be more immediate and those will be addressed as quickly as possible. Long-term solutions require long-term strategies and practice.

Payment options are varied. LBSA will accept private payment. Our reimbursement may also be covered through waiver (CDCS, DD, CADI, CAC, TBI) funding with approval through your county’s case management team. We recommend setting up a free initial conversation with LBSA to discuss your specific situation and needs.

Our team has experience in a wide range of behavioral issues. Many of the strategies and processes we recommend can support positive change for a broad array of behaviors. We recommend setting up a free initial conversation to discuss your specific situation and needs.

LBSA does not have a respite facility for clients. As part of our service, we assist in coordinating with other providers, which could potentially include respite services.

Behavioral Support Services is a consultative model that leverages our vast experience and knowledge in helping people with IDD dealing with behavioral issues. This model focuses on assessment and consultation, and we walk side by side with current caregivers. We have a very limited capacity to provide direct support personnel. We offer the training needed to the family and the associated staff providing services. We recommend setting up a free initial conversation with LBSA to discuss your specific situation and needs.

No, the client does not need a mental health diagnosis. Our mission is to serve those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so people would need to have an IDD to qualify for our services and could also have mental health issues, either diagnosed or undiagnosed.

No, you do not need to have a waiver to work with Behavioral Support Services. There may be other ways to pay for this service outside of a personal waiver. We recommend setting up a free initial conversation with LBSA to discuss your specific situation and needs.

LBSA clients
CW w Mags

Additional Resources

Behavioral Support Services Blog

group home living

Care and Inclusion: Special Needs Group Homes

Care and Inclusion: Special Needs Group Homes At Laura Baker Services Association (LBSA), we believe that every individual deserves to live in a place where they can thrive, feel safe and be embraced by a community that values them. As dedicated spaces that nurture, empower and celebrate the unique abilities… Read More

behavioral support services-mental health

Navigating Dual Challenges: Addressing the Common Concurrence of IDD and Mental Health Conditions

Martha W. Lantz, MSW, MBA, has been working with LBSA to develop behavioral health services for those with IDD and mental health conditions. Read More

Therapist gives boy with special needs a high five

ABA Practices and Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is one of the foundational components of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. Read More

Assistance for an Overlooked Population

Understanding behavioral challenges means looking at every aspect of the person and their environment to determine what might be contributing. At LBSA, we look at all potential challenges to determine where and how we can teach and intervene. Read More

Problem Solving with Behavioral Support Services

One of the things we’ve come to specialize in at LBSA is effectively supporting people with challenging behaviors. In January 2024, we are launching Behavioral Support Services for people with IDD, their families and the service system. Read More