ABA PROVIDER DIRECTORY WELCOME Dear Pennsylvania ABA is the cornerstone of treatment in patients with autism and other disabilities. ABA is used to help teach children skills such as communication, social skills and self-help skills and it can help people become more independent which we hope will lead to happier more satisfying lives ABA in PA Initiative is my advocacy organization that was started to help families like yours obtain ABA therapy. The website, abainpa.com is dedicated to public education and from there you can link to Facebook and Twitter and follow us for information I send out regularly to the public. Children can obtain intervention from either private agencies or public agencies (often referred to as BHRS, soon to be called IBHS). Some private agencies are now accepting MA as a means of payment and close monitoring of the provider directory and its updates will be useful to know when an agency becomes an MA provider. We usually update this directory every 2 months so please check back often! If you obtain your ABA from a private practice that only provides ABA, we have found that most providers are well educated and trained. However if you seek ABA from a BHRS agency you should be cautious and stay informed. In Pennsylvania ABA is delivered by people with the following job titles: BSC and TSS. These job titles are in BHRS (Behavioral Health Rehabilitation services, AKA "wrap around".) only and no other state uses these terms. A Behavioral Specialist Consultant (BSC) is a job title that requires a Master’s degree from one of a variety of fields and is used to oversee general behavioral services. A Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) is a bachelor’s level position and is a paraprofessional who implements a behavior plan. Neither education nor experience in ABA is required for these positions. Having said that, there are BHRS agencies that have pursued qualifications in ABA and may provide quality ABA services. To receive these services, parents should only seek Behavior Analysts or Board-Certified Behavior Analysts trained in ABA, whether in the role of a BCBA or filling the job of a BSC. Simply put, not all BSCs are qualified to provide ABA services and not all TSS are qualified to implement them. BSC and TSS are generic titles like doctor or lawyer, but that doesn’t tell you what kind of medicine or law they are highly qualified to practice. You want to make sure that they are the right type of BSC and right type of TSS. If you are still having trouble, here are suggestions on how to complain: 1) Contact your insurance and tell them you have not been able to find an ABA provider (behavior analyst or BCBA) and that you need their help. See what they recommend. Ask if you can go out of network to get your child services faster. 2) At the same time, contact the government by email at [email protected] and copy Rachel Mann at [email protected] at the Disability Rights PA and tell them what is going on, so they can follow your case to make sure your child gets the services he or she needs. 1 The ABA in PA Initiative | www.ABAinPA.com All too often families think they are getting what they need or think ABA "doesn't work" because they had one or two experiences in the past with providers that didn't understand the differences between what they provided, what ABA was and how it could help. Thank you for taking the time to review our directory, Cheryl Tierney-Aves, MD, MPH Section Chief, Behavior and Developmental Pediatrics ABA in PA Initiative President 2 The ABA in PA Initiative | www.ABAinPA.com ITEMS REGARDING THE DIRECTORY - There have been a couple of changes to The Directory for this update. First, Tables #1 and #2 from previous versions of The Directory have now been combined into one table titled, “Table #1: ABA Providers.” Second, as a result of the first change, Table #3 (Social Skills Groups) from previous versions of The Directory is now “Table #2: Social Skills Groups.” - Please note Tables #1 and #2 are not exhaustive lists of providers. - We welcome feedback via Facebook or our website if you are aware of additional agencies delivering quality ABA programming in Pennsylvania. - Also, we are looking for feedback on your experience with the ABA providers. Remember, quality ABA programs consist of a variety to components including 1) BCBAs to oversee your child’s care utilizing an evidence based treatment program such as Verbal Behavior and 2) data collection which should be taken and reviewed with you ROUTINELY. If you are not experiencing these components please take the time to report your concerns to us via the www.abainpa.com website “Contact Us” form and follow the instructions listed under the “ABA THERAPY IN PA” tab (http://abainpa.com/call-to-action-how-to-get-aba-therapy-in-pennsylvania) - WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS ENROLLED IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS? If you are having a problem getting Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) for your child that you have not been able to resolve with your Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization or the county, you may contact Jill Weaver at (717) 409-3791 or [email protected]. - In addition we offer free legal support for you and your child through Disability Rights of PA. Their website is https://disabilityrightspa.org/. You can contact Rachel Mann at [email protected]. Her team can help assist you free of charge as well. 3 The ABA in PA Initiative | www.ABAinPA.com TABLE #1: ABA PROVIDERS AGENCY/COMPANY CONTACT INFORMATION SERVICES AND STAFF QUALIFICATIONS COUNTY/COUNTIES SERVICED ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS (MA, PRIVATE INSURANCE, PRIVATE/SELF-PAY, ETC…) ABA Beginnings, LLC 8 S. Stoner Road Services Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Please contact this provider for Shiremanstown, PA 17011 Consultation (ABA, IEPs, research based strategies within Lancaster and York specific information regarding Phone: (717) 799-9117 the field of autism), Training Services to Service payment options. Providers, and In-Home Program Set-Up and Director: Management Pam Keene, BCBA Email: [email protected] Home/Community/School Based (Y/N) Y Center/Clinic Based (Y/N) N Works with other ABA agencies? (Y/N) N Works with BHRS collaboratively? (Y/N) Y Staff Qualifications Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) ABA Connections of PA, 221 Belmont Avenue Services Montgomery and Philadelphia LLC Oreland, PA 19075 Individualized treatment and behavior plans, parent Phone: (610) 420-8811 training and support, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), and Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) Website: www.abaconnectionspa.com Email: [email protected] Home/Community/School Based (Y/N) Y Center/Clinic Based (Y/N) N Works with other ABA agencies? (Y/N) Works with BHRS collaboratively? (Y/N) Staff Qualifications Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) ABA Support Services, Trolley Station Mall, Suite 22A Services Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Medical Assistance (MA) LCC 224 Nazareth Pike Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), initial/ongoing Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Bethlehem, PA 18120 assessment of behavior problems and behavior skill Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Private Insurance: United Behavior Phone: (610) 365-8373 development, development of behavior analytic Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Health, Magellan Health Services, Fax: (610) 365-2522 strategies and procedures, instruction/consultation to Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Cigna Behavioral Health, Blue caregivers and patient’s support system, observation of Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Tioga, Cross/Blue Shield, MH Net, Aetna, Website: www.abasupportservices.com patient and caregivers/ support system, ABLLS and VB- Wayne, Wyoming and York AmeriHealth, Independence Blue Email: [email protected] MAPP Assessments, and social skills assessments Cross, and United Healthcare President: Social Skills Groups: Collaboration with Autism Society of Private/Self-Pay Amy Gable Berks County. Available at no cost; requires year-long Email: [email protected] commitment. Open to participants with autism who are School Contracts high functioning, verbal, and residents of Berks County. 4 The ABA in PA Initiative | www.ABAinPA.com AGENCY/COMPANY CONTACT INFORMATION SERVICES AND STAFF QUALIFICATIONS COUNTY/COUNTIES SERVICED ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS (MA, PRIVATE INSURANCE, PRIVATE/SELF-PAY, ETC…) Home/Community/School Based (Y/N) Y Center/Clinic Based (Y/N) Y Works with other ABA agencies? (Y/N) Y Works with BHRS collaboratively? (Y/N) Y Staff Qualifications Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) ABA Therapy Services, 109 Plaza Drive Services Carbon, Monroe and Pike (if using Medical Assistance (MA) LLC Pocono Summit, PA 18346 Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), assessment of MA) Phone: (570) 216-3900 behavior challenges, development of positive behavioral Private Insurances Fax: (570) 507-5705 strategies and interventions; parent skills training and support; verbal behavioral development, toileting, eating Website: http://researchdir1.wixsite.com/bcba and sleeping programs; social skills groups Beth Raiola (MS, LBS, BCBA) Home/Community/School Based (Y/N) Y Email: [email protected] Center/Clinic Based (Y/N) Y Works with other ABA agencies? (Y/N) N Works with BHRS collaboratively? (Y/N) Y Staff Qualifications Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) ABA Therapy Solutions 155 Hickory View Drive Services Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer Private Insurance: Aetna and New Castle, PA 16102 Individualized programming