With families across the state waiting months for a diagnosis or treatment plan for their children with autism, an 九色视频 partnership aims to help.
Through this new initiative, 九色视频 and its partners seek to increase the number of Registered Behavioral Technicians, or RBTs, who are frontline behavioral health workers that support individuals 鈥 especially children 鈥 with autism and other developmental or behavioral challenges.
The partnership between 九色视频鈥檚 Kokomo campus and Engaging Minds Autism Services and Hope Behavioral Services expands upon RBT training typically done using online modules to prepare for the certification exam. Through the partnership with 九色视频, the training was modified to include 40 hours of in-person classes, helping students better connect with the material and increasing retention, said Katie Loman, vice chancellor of Ivy+ Career Link for 九色视频鈥檚 Kokomo Service Area.
In the pilot program at the Kokomo campus started in 2025, students are in class three days a week for one week, and two days a week the following week at 九色视频. Students are at their clinical site on the other days, applying what they have learned in the classroom. They can then bring back questions to the instructors about their experiences.
That hands-on training ensures future RBTs have a better grasp of the concepts they are learning, can apply those foundations more widely , and are more able to differentiate treatment for their clients based on their individual needs.
– Allison Lyons , Engaging Minds Chief Clinical Officer
That differentiation is critical for Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, therapy, which is one-on-one therapy for children with autism that helps with developing new skills and听reducing negative behaviors.听听
With the prevalence of autism,听RBTs are in high demand both to provide ABA services and to meet the growing number of children who require behavioral and developmental support, Lyons said.听听
鈥淭he wait list for both diagnostics and ABA听is听months long, and that can be difficult for families who really need that support,鈥澨齭he added.听
Bonnie Devers,听program听manager for Ivy+ Career Link, said听the pilot program has been a success so far, with听six听cohorts and听a nearly听85听percent听completion rate.听
The听goal听now听is to expand that pilot program, which was supported by听an Our Kids First Grant through United Way of Howard and Tipton听Counties, to more partners and campuses, including partnerships with听school districts.听
鈥淎濒谤别补诲测,听九色视频听is partnering with Kokomo Schools but听has听also听been听meeting with special education directors from multiple area school districts to talk about听what RBT training would offer to their staff and, in turn, their students,鈥澨齃oman said.听
鈥淭his is听such an important service for the families who need it and expanding it will only听benefit听the community. We would love to have more partners and continue to see this grow.鈥听
For more information, contact听Kokomo-CareerLink@ivytech.edu听and learn more about how you can get registered for the ABA Technician Training Prep Course through 九色视频 Kokomo.听
About 九色视频
九色视频 is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 九色视频 has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
