Options Schools & Indiana Behavior Analysis Academy will partner to form a hybrid education program in Kokomo, IN.

Options Schools & Indiana Behavior Analysis Academy will partner to form a hybrid education program in Kokomo, IN.


Options @ IBAA flyer (PDF) | IBAA website

KOKOMO, Ind. – A new partnership between Options Schools and the Indiana Behavior Analysis Academy (IBAA) will now provide Kokomo-area families with the opportunity to have access to an accredited Applied Behavior Analysis therapy facility, and an accredited public education in one convenient location.

Known as ‘Options @ IBAA,’ the program will offer diploma, certificate and functional academic tracks based on the individual needs of each student. Options’ highly-qualified team will be co-located within IBAA in Kokomo (125 W. Taylor St). This blended model will provide students with a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an optimal learning environment to receive their education and 1:1 for therapy services.

Students attending the ‘Options at IBAA’ program will participate in the educational program for half of the day, either during the Morning or Afternoon session. Students will receive 3-4 hours of supports in social skills, independent living, and self-management from IBAA’s team. When participating in ABA therapy, students will receive 1:1 supports from a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and program oversight from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

Serving students in grades 6-12, Options Schools are free, public charter schools with brick and mortar campuses in Carmel and Noblesville & a new campus opening in Westfield in August 2021. Options also offers additional programs (including Options @ IBAA and Options @ BACA) that serve students in over 90 school corporations throughout the state of Indiana. With a high-quality, individualized approach, Options was founded in 2002 and specializes in providing students with an inclusive environment and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1.

The Indiana Behavior Analysis Academy (IBAA) helps children with autism obtain the skills needed to successfully navigate their lives and grow to be more independent, happy young adults. IBAA was founded in Kokomo in 2015 as a program focused on quality services and outcomes. The program was one of the first accredited ABA centers in the state of Indiana and continues to be the only accredited program in Kokomo. IBAA is in network with all major insurance carriers and has a team onsite to support families and answer questions related to insurance coverage.

“After the great amount of success we have seen in the Options @ BACA program as it enters its second year in Fishers, we are excited to now also serve families in the Kokomo area,” said Options President/CEO Dr. Mike Gustin. “With Options Schools and IBAA both having missions based around helping students succeed through an individualized approach, it was a natural fit. We are excited to see the growth of Options @ IBAA and the positive impact it will have on Kokomo-area students.”

“IBAA is excited about the opportunity to partner with Options Charter School to provide a blended academic and therapeutic program for individuals in the Kokomo area.,” said IBAA Owner/Director Lisa Steward. “The Options team offers years of experience and a commitment to excellence which makes them a great addition to our program at IBAA. Together we will accomplish great things for our students and community.”

Program staff will include IBAA Owner/Director Lisa Steward and IBAA Clinical Supervisor Brittany Morgan, along with Options teachers and Lisa Chandler, Principal for Options with ABA.

Principal for Options with ABA, Lisa Chandler helped launch Options’ first ABA partnership, with Options @ BACA, and will serve in a similar role for Options @ IBAA. Chandler has spent the majority of her career in alternative educational settings playing a key role in the development, implementation and growth of educational programs for individuals on the spectrum. Chandler is also highly skilled in classroom design integrating sensory therapeutic and academic needs to create environments for multiple learning styles and her background includes extensive curriculum and assessment development. A 2006 graduate of Indiana University, she holds an Indiana teaching license in Mild Interventions P-12 and is nearing completion of her degree in Educational Leadership. Chandler is also a member of the Indiana Association of School Principals.

Lisa Steward, MA, BCBA, is the Owner and Clinical Director of Indiana Behavior Analysis Academy. Steward was board certified in 2009 and has since held Clinical Director positions in growing ABA clinics, consulted in a variety of schools, provided family and professional training, and taught for Purdue University. Steward founded IBAA in 2014 with the desire to expand the program to support individuals ranging in age from birth through early adulthood.

Brittany Morgan, MS, BCBA, is a Clinical Supervisor at IBAA. Morgan joined the IBAA team in October of 2016 as a Program Manager and quickly established herself as an exceptional behavior analyst and leader. Morgan has worked in the field for over eleven years in a variety of roles and environments. In addition to her experience and knowledge, Morgan demonstrates a commitment to the individuals IBAA supports, making her an ideal clinician to oversee the IBAA portion of the Options @ IBAA expansion.

The ‘Options @ IBAA’ program will begin in mid-to-late November 2020. The program will also cap enrollment at eight for the 2020-21 pilot year.

To secure a seat in ‘Options @ IBAA,’ interested applicants can visit OptionsSchools.org/apply/ to submit an application.

For additional questions about the program, contact Options with ABA Principal Lisa Chandler via email. For more information about ABA and IBAA, email IBAA Owner/Director Lisa Steward.


Daily Options @ IBAA Schedule

Indiana Behavior Analysis Academy in Kokomo, IN

IBAA is located at 125 W. Taylor St. in Kokomo, IN

 

 

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