Staff from the Florida Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (FLPBIS) project presented at the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) conference in St. Louis on March 14.
Stephanie Martinez and Lauren Evanovich at APBS
Brian Gaunt, PhD, and Kristi Gomez, MEd, technical assistance specialists, presented "All Hands-on-Deck: Strategies for Facilitating Strong Teacher Commitment for PBIS." Additionally, Stephanie Martinez, PhD, research associate in the Department of Child and Family Studies, and Lauren Evanovich, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Education, presented "We Should Be Included Too: Tier 2 Supports for Students with Disabilities." Both presentations highlighted the positive impact of PBIS strategies on educators and students in the classroom.
Lauren Kowalski and Robyn Vanover, RN, technical assistance specialists with FLPBIS, joined Joanne Sweazey, executive director of the Hope Center for Autism, to discuss how Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) have benefited students with autism. Their session focused on how PBIS prepares students for reintegration into general education settings and their transition to adulthood.
By adapting PBIS for their alternative setting, the Hope Center addresses challenges in education, socialization, and employment for individuals on the autism spectrum. The center’s systematic approach, using evidence-based support across three tiers—academically and behaviorally—helps students transition to less restrictive environments.
The Hope Center for Autism, a public charter school in Martin County, Florida, serves approximately 97 students with autism from pre-K through 8th grade and employs 70 staff members. A longstanding partner of FLPBIS, the center receives ongoing support and collaboration.
The FLPBIS Project provides training and technical support to school districts across Florida for implementing PBIS at the schoolwide (Tier 1), classroom, targeted group (Tier 2), and individual (Tier 3) levels. The project collaborates with district leaders to develop systems that sustain effective PBIS practices.