We specialize in working with dual diagnoses

For children diagnosed with a disability or who have additional health needs, learning skills like organization, impulse control, time management, transitioning, focusing, and controlling emotions is challenging. The lack of development in these areas leads to delays in mastering life skills and interferes with social skills and levels of independence. CADC’s Better Version of Me Children’s Program uses the evidence-based practice of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) to assist children with learning and mastering the skills needed to be successful in life. PBS is an approach based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) paired with person-centered planning.

This program is not as intense as ABA programs. Instead, it is designed with a Behavior Life Coach (an endorsed Positive Behavior Support Facilitator (PBSF)) working with the child to identify their strengths, preferences, and interests as well as develop short and long-term goals for them. After this information is collected, additional information related to areas of weakness, triggers, and supports needed to reach the goals are gathered and used to develop a Behavior Support Plan (BSP). The child’s team (parents, teachers, after-school providers, coaches, therapists, etc.) is trained by the Behavior Life Coach in the strategies and interventions included in the BSP and modify their supports to those they learned during the training. The Behavior Life Coach monitors progress and adjusts the plan according to any changes and needs that may occur.

This program varies in length and is dependent on the needs of the child and their team. It is appropriate for children ages 5-17 who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, developmental disability, Down Syndrome, intellectual disability, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, PANS/PANDAS, and more. Funding from the Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waivers can cover this program. For more information or to sign up for a consultation, please fill out the form below.

Upcoming Workshops

Financial Strategies for Special Needs Families

Join us as we talk with Ashley Foster, Financial Advisor for Virginia Asset Management, LLC, about financial planning for the future for families with children with disabilities and special health care needs. She will share tips for getting started, resources to help with the process, and information about programs that can help you design a plan that best fits your family’s needs.

Wednesday, February 17th, 6:00 -7:00 pm (online)

Family & Caregiver Training through the FIS Medicaid Waiver

Creative Approach Development Center is a Medicaid Certified provider for parent & caregiver training under the Family & Individual Support (FIS) Waiver. Starting July 2020, parents, family members, & caregivers can enroll and complete up to 80 hours of our programs each ISP year. We offer a wide variety of programs focused on behavior management, transitioning, skill development, and much more!

What does this mean?

According to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), Family/Caregiver Training is the provision of identified training and education related to disabilities, community integration, family dynamics, stress management, behavior
interventions, and mental health for a parent, other family members, or a primary caregiver.

Who can participate in the training?

We have workshops and training for everyone but, for those covered by the FIS waiver, “family” is defined as the unpaid persons who live with or provide care to a waiver individual, and may include a parent, spouse, children, relatives, a legal guardian, foster family, or in-laws. “Family” does not include individuals who are employed to care for the individual.

How Do I Sign Up?

If you are interested in participating in our workshops and training and have a family member that is a FIS waiver recipient, please begin the process by filling out the Interest Form below. In order to have your enrollment fees covered by the waiver, your family member will need to have family/caregiver training added to their annual Individual Support Plan (ISP). Creative Approach Development Center will then be added to the plan as a provider. To assist with this process, please have your assigned case manager contact Dr. Levi-Shackleford at ZLShackleford@CreativeApproachOnline.com or by calling 804-876-2115 ext 4 for workshops.

WORKSHOP/TRAINING INTEREST FORM