Developing Capacity to Support People with Complex Behavioral Needs
The Committee on Developing Capacity to Support People with Complex Behavioral Needs is focused on developing PAR members’ abilities to meet the unique needs of people with ID/A who also have significant mental health and behavioral challenges, within the Everyday Lives framework.
Members recognize that supporting people with complex behavioral and behavioral health needs is particularly challenging. Historically, these are people who find congregate care the most difficult to endure as well as who pose the greatest difficulties to both the congregate care and community programs that attempt to support them.
Members explore and discuss best practices, emerging options, and innovative resources in order to achieve the objective of developing enhanced capacity. The committee partners with designated ODP representatives and other stakeholders to identify and create broad system-based solutions to the challenges of supporting people with complex behavioral needs in community settings.
Ruth Siegfried, Chair
President and Chief Executive Officer
InVision Human Services
[email protected]
Ruth Siegfried's human services career began over 40 years ago as a Direct Support Professional in residential services. Over those four decades, Ruth’s devotion has centered around community services for children and adults who experience challenges due to mental health issues, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, autism, and other disabilities. Ruth established InVision Human Services in 1992, specifically to provide services to those people who are often left underserved by traditional programs, usually due to multiple challenges. Today, InVision supports more than 500 people throughout Pennsylvania. The company has experienced exponential growth, and strives to be seen as a 'provider of choice' in Pennsylvania, and now comprises a parent company and three subsidiaries. InVision also has a Global Partnerships program, where employees support several organizations in South Africa. In addition to serving on the PAR Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and participating on and leading PAR committees, Ruth’s professional affiliations include; Board of Directors Secretary for William Penn Human Services; Advisory Board Member for FICE-USA; Board of Directors President for The Provider Alliance. Ruth is a founder of several organizations: Network for Quality Services in PA, The Provider Alliance, and William Penn Human Services. In her private time, Ruth is a well respected and expert equestrian.
 Dionne Bates, Chair
Clinical and Educational Services Director
Supportive Behavioral Resources, Inc.
[email protected]
Dionne began her career in 1997 working with children with behavioral health challenges as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Her love for children led her to pursue a career in education. Dionne received her master’s degree in Special Education in 2002 and worked as a Special Education Teacher for four years in the Philadelphia School District. In her role as the Clinical Director at Supportive Behavioral Resources, Dionne provides direct oversight of the behavior support and educational services. Dionne is also a founding member of the Pennsylvania Association of Behavioral Specialists (PABS) and a Certified Supports Broker. In her spare time, she enjoys providing respite care to individuals and their families.
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