Image description: Header reads ‘Behavior Support Services’ on a yellow rectangle in the bottom left-hand corner. An older man in a blue shirt smiles broadly and holds a coffee mug in his right hand. To his left is a blonde woman in a black shirt with relaxed crossed arms. She is facing him and smiling. Both are in a brightly-lit room enjoying breakfast.
Behavior Supports Services are designed to help people in identifying what issues are interfering in the ability to reach their fullest potential. Our goal is to teach positive skills that will assist the person in building self-reliance in their pursuit of a rewarding life. Services are provided in the person’s home, work, school or community, based on the level of support needed in each area. Specific services include:
- Assessments
- Creation of a Behavior Support Plan
- Face-to-Face work on B.S.P. goals
- Training
- Observations
- Attendance at Psychiatry Appointments
- Participation in Team Meetings
- Reporting Progress via Quarterly B.S.P. Efficacy Reviews
Behavior Supports through Pet Therapy
Here at Opportunities for Positive Growth, Audie and Finley partner with their human companion, Kayla Honaker (B.S.S.), to provide a service called Behavior Supports through Pet Therapy Techniques. This service provides support to those with depression, anxiety, fear of dogs, and social skills challenges that receive behavior supports through O.P.G.
In order to receive Behavior Supports through Pet Therapy Techniques, you must currently either have a Behavior Specialist with O.P.G. or must be able to add Behavior Supports with O.P.G. to your services. Unfortunately, if you have another Behavior Support provider we are not able to provide Behavior Supports through Pet Therapy services at this time.
Image description: Finley and Audie sit amongst red, orange and yellow autumn leaves. Finley sits on the left and is a miniature Australian shepherd with black, white, grey and brown markings; piercing blue eyes; and has his tongue sticking out in a smile. Audie sits on the right and is also a miniature Australian shepherd with brown and white markings; she is smaller with a stoic look.
Meet the Executive Director,
Gina Schenk
Image description: Gina smiles against a black background wearing a green camouflage shirt with white lace shoulder detailing, and two long, silver necklaces.
Gina has been with O.P.G. since 2002. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 1989 and her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1991 from Indiana University.
Gina received her License as a Clinical Social Worker in 1993 and later in 1999, she earned a Master’s Degree of Science in Education. She started working at O.P.G. as a Behavior Support Specialist before being named the Director of Behavior Supports in 2009 and later becoming the Executive Director.
Having clinical experience in the mental health field in the years prior to coming to work at O.P.G., she finds being able to develop long-term relationships with people we support to be an honor and a privilege.
She believes the most rewarding aspect of her job is being a part of helping people realize their life goals.
O.P.G. employs over 40 Masters Level Behavioral Specialists that serve in Indiana!
Message from the Executive Director
we support to give top quality behavior support services.
From the initial interview to offering services, it is our goal to provide the best possible match in a Behavior Specialist
and to make sure that a person is able to identify
and work on what is most meaningful. Showing up is one of the keys to a successful relationship,
and that is what our Behavior Specialists do!"
-Gina
Image description: Jen smiles outside of the Fishers branch of O.P.G. She is wearing a black long sleeve shirt. In the background are green bushes.
Meet Jen
Jen Elia, M.A. , BCBA –
Director of Behavior Support Services
Jennifer Elia, MA, BCBA, received her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Teachers College, Columbia University under the direction of Dr. Douglas Greer. While a graduate student, she taught at the Keller School where she conducted behavior analytic research and worked with preschool aged children with autism. Subsequently, Jennifer worked as a private behavioral consultant, parent educator and consultant for public schools. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience providing therapy using behavioral interventions and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She began working at OPG as a Behavior Support Specialist in 2015 before transitioning to Director of Behavioral Supports in 2020. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is supervising those in the department who wish to pursue their BCBA certification. Jennifer believes strongly in OPG’s mission of inspiring people in the pursuit of a rewarding life and using a person centered approach to help people realize their goals.
Image description: Kim smiles against a tan wall. Kim is wearing metal framed glasses and a blue blouse.
Meet Kim
Kim Adkins, M.S. , RBC –
Director of Behavior Support Services
Kim joined O.P.G. in 2003 with 3 years of experience in her field as a special education teacher. Kim earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Purdue University in 1998. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) from Purdue University in 2000. Kim is the facilitator of OPG’s Human Rights Committee and overseas committees in 3 regions. Kim has been a member of IN-ABC since 2004 and currently serves as secretary of the association. Kim is encouraged and inspired by the people OPG supports and the clinicians who are creative, compassionate and supportive. The best days are when people realize and accomplish their dreams.
Image Description: Leslie smiles against a brick wall. She is wearing hoop earrings and a long sleeve black shirt.
Meet Leslie
Leslie Newlin, M.S.W., LCSW, RBC –
Director of Behavior Support Services
Leslie earned her Master of Social Work in 2009 from Indiana University and has been employed as a Behavior Specialist since that time. She received her License as a Clinical Social Worker in 2018 and is a Registered Behavioral Consultant through Indiana Association of Behavioral Consultants. Leslie started working at O.P.G. in 2003 as a DSP while earning her Bachelor of Science from Purdue University. She has worked as a DSP, QIDP, and Behavior Specialist at O.P.G. She has also served on the HRC and ESOP committees. The many years Leslie has worked for O.P.G. has enhanced her clinical skills to provide support to both other behavior specialists and people with developmental disabilities. Leslie enjoys building relationships with the people she supports and watching them achieve their goals.
Image description: Raina smiles against a black background wearing a black t-shirt, a light pink vest and a long gold necklace.
Meet Raina
Raina Neal, M.A. –
Director of Behavior Support Services
Raina joined O.P.G. in 2012 with seven years of experience in her field. Raina earned her Bachelors Degree in Developmental Psychology from University of Detroit Mercy. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology from Ball State University. She believes one of the rewarding parts of her job is having the opportunity to watch individuals grow and make accomplishments.
Below is a video introducing Opportunities for Positive Growth’s Behavior Support Services. Click the red and white arrow to play.
Closed Captioning is available.
