Behavioral Health Holdings, KU Edwards Campus Collaborate to Serve Kansas City Area's Autism Community

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Behavioral Health Holdings (BHH), a leader in serving children with autism spectrum disorder, is joining forces with the University of Kansas Edwards Campus (KUEC) for an innovative practicum program enabling online master's degree and certificate students to meet field requirements for certification in applied behavior analysis (ABA), the recognized treatment for autism.

The public-private collaboration offers a streamlined option for KU's applied behavioral science students to complete 1,500 hours of field experience required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). In what could become a national model, the practicum will train students across four different care delivery settings ? early childhood development, an elementary and secondary education facility, residential support, and crisis intervention and prevention programs ? rotating among Behavioral Health Holdings sites in the Kansas City area. BHH employees will serve as individual supervisors, while KU faculty will provide leadership and group supervision.

"Autism is growing, and we urgently need more skilled professionals to provide consistent, personal interaction for these children. A child with autism typically needs 20 to 40 hours a week of hands-on, professional attention. How each child is doing today, and where they are heading in the future, directly depends on the behavioral services they receive, so it is critical to address the shortage of BACB-certified analysts," said Marc Goff, chief executive officer of Behavioral Health Holdings.

"We are very pleased to partner with the KU Edwards Campus in addressing this workforce need for Kansas City. This practicum program will accelerate the talent pipeline for behavioral services in our region, help address the shortage of BCBAs, and serve the children and families affected by autism."

Florence DiGennaro Reed, chair of KU's Department of Applied Behavioral Science, said, "There will be seamless interaction. The practicum is designed to have continuity with the content in the program, teaching students important competencies that integrate fundamental principles of our field with clinical application. It's a nice example of a private-public partnership, particularly in a way that enhances the Kansas City workforce in a field that helps improve the lives of people with disabilities."

Thomas Zane, director of KU's online behavior analysis programs, added: "The combination of hands-on training and academic study is the best way to learn. Augmenting online coursework with in-person training not only gives students a unique experience, it also speeds their time to entering the professional world. We are happy to join with BHH in developing this practicum."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that one in 59 children in the United States has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder. Even with about 18,000 board-certified behavior analysts in the United States, the growing problem and the intensity of services required has created an urgent need for more practitioners.

About Behavioral Health Holdings
Behavioral Health Holdings (BHH) provides community-based applied behavioral services to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, serving families, schools and agencies in the Kansas City area. BHH offers early childhood behavior analyst services, a year-round school called Milestones Academy, several group homes, crisis intervention and prevention services, and a transportation fleet. BHH is a subsidiary of BioNOVUS Innovations, a Kansas City-based firm committed to investing in individuals and organizations who are transforming healthcare and bringing novel solutions to reality. For more information on BHH, please visit http://www.kc-bhh.com.

About The University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. The university's mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world. The KU Edwards Campus at 127th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park brings the high-quality academic, professional and continuing education programs as well as research and public-service benefits of KU to the Greater Kansas City community in order to serve the workforce, economic and community development needs of the region.

Contacts:
Hannah Lemon, KU Edwards Campus
913-897-8755, [email protected]

Dick Johnson, for Behavioral Health Holdings
913-649-8885, [email protected]

SOURCE University of Kansas Edwards Campus