Behavior Development Program Begins at PrairieCare

Information submitted by Emily Buell, PrairieCare IOP Behavior Development Program Coordinator

In April 2012, PrairieCare in Maple Grove launched their pilot track of the Behavior Development Program (BDP) for children ages 8-12 - designed for elementary aged children with behavioral problems. 

BDP is a program for children with ADHD, ODD and other similar diagnoses, which are impairing their daily functioning in their family, school, and/or community. 

This program is based on the “Early Risers Program” at the University of Minnesota.  The purpose of the Early Risers Program was to target elementary aged children who may be at risk for antisocial behavior, conduct behavior, and/or substance abuse at a later age. 

PrairieCare is collaborating with Michael Bloomquist, PhD to facilitate the Behavior Development Program. This treatment program focuses on building social skills, behavioral management, and family skills. The treatment staff works closely with patients and their families to identify and assess problems, as well as begin steps towards treating these issues.

The program runs 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday for six weeks at a time and is divided into groups of up to ten children at a time. 

During this three hour program, patients will have a structured recreational activity, Second Step skills lesson, homework/quiet time, and a therapeutic activity. During all of these activities, patients are practicing the social-emotional skills that they are learning with guidance from staff – working together with peers, managing frustration, expressing feelings, appropriate social skills, and more.  

During the program, there is also a mandatory parent portion where parents have a parent skills group from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and then participate in a structured parent-child activity from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Childcare services are available during this parent portion.

According to Emily Buell, IOP Behavior Development Program Coordinator, “the results we’ve seen in these kids and their families has been empowering.” 

Buell and staff reflect on the improvements they have seen over the six-week tracks – “watching a young child who couldn’t focus in a group for more than 15 minutes the first week be able to sit through an hour of programming in the last week” as well as “seeing parents utilize the skills they’ve learned to better understand and manage their child’s behaviors.” 

Buell states “the true power of BDP is witnessing patients recognize that they can control their behaviors in order to enhance their daily functioning.”

More information on the Behavior Development Program: 888-9-prairie for further information.  The next sessions begins July 23 and the following session in early-mid September.