The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The BehaviorTools™ program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Neglect, Emotional Abuse, Exposure to Domestic Violence
• Target Population: Foster, adoptive and biological parents; caseworkers; care managers; and direct care staff of residential and group home facilities; and caregivers and teachers of children and adults with disabilities.

The BehaviorTools™ curriculum identifies 12 frequently used forms of coercion, describes the effects of using coercion and provides alternative management strategies that are positive, proactive, and more effective in producing long-term improvements in behavior.

The BehaviorTools™ program was developed from the Behavior Analysis Services Program (BASP), funded by the State of Florida from 1996 to 2008. BASP developed a curriculum entitled Tools for Positive Behavior Change, which was designed to teach caregivers basic principles of behavior. The curriculum was written for caseworkers and caregivers of foster children who were abused (sexually, physically and emotionally) and neglected. In 2008, statewide budget cuts forced DCF to terminate funding BASP. However, the curriculum was revised and rewritten by Professional Crisis Management Association, Inc. and is now called BehaviorTools™. The revised curriculum still pertains to the prior populations but has expanded to include caregivers of children and adults with developmental disabilities (including autism spectrum disorder).

The overall goal of the BehaviorTools™ program is to create positive, proactive learning, living, and working environments by:

• Reducing stress levels of participants.
• Teaching effective behavior management skills.
• Improving interactions between: caregivers and children, providers and clients, supervisors and supervisees and peers.