Building a statewide plan for embedding positive behavior support in human service organizations

Staff development efforts are being designed to have a greater impact on the systems in which professionals work to increase the likelihood that individual positive behavior support (PBS) plans will be effective. Statewide efforts aimed at embedding PBS into developmental disability organizations and other agencies must include longitudinal training using a systems approach to provide the best climate in which professionals can learn new skills. Although the majority of research on the development of "host" environments has been conducted within school settings, many of the strategies used in schoolwide PBS can be adapted to address other organizations supporting children and adults with disabilities. This article will introduce one statewide project created to build capacity by (a) training in PBS and person-centered planning for professionals who can access fiscal incentives after completing the program, (b) disseminating online instructional materials for awareness and expert-level training across the state, and (c) facilitating organizationwide and statewide PBS planning processes that emphasize data-based decision making.