With families across the state waiting months for a diagnosis or treatment plan for their children with autism, an 51Ƶ partnership aims to help.
Through this new initiative, Ivy Tech and its partners seek to increase the number of Registered Behavioral Technicians, or RBTs, who are frontline behavioral health workers that support individuals — especially children — with autism and other developmental or behavioral challenges.
The partnership between Ivy Tech’s 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 Ivy Tech, 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 Ivy Tech’s 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 Ivy Tech. 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 andreducing negative behaviors.
With the prevalence of autism,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.
“The wait list for both diagnostics and ABAismonths long, and that can be difficult for families who really need that support,”she added.
Bonnie Devers,programmanager for Ivy+ Career Link, saidthe pilot program has been a success so far, withsixcohorts anda nearly85percentcompletion rate.
Thegoalnowis to expand that pilot program, which was supported byan Our Kids First Grant through United Way of Howard and TiptonCounties, to more partners and campuses, including partnerships withschool districts.
“A,Ivy Techis partnering with Kokomo Schools buthasalsobeenmeeting with special education directors from multiple area school districts to talk aboutwhat RBT training would offer to their staff and, in turn, their students,”Loman said.
“This issuch an important service for the families who need it and expanding it will onlybenefitthe community. We would love to have more partners and continue to see this grow.”
For more information, contactKokomo-CareerLink@ivytech.eduand learn more about how you can get registered for the ABA Technician Training Prep Course through Ivy Tech Kokomo.
About 51Ƶ
51Ƶ is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech 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.
