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The Intensive Behavioral Intervention Program?

What is the IBI Program?

Intensive Behavioral Intervention or IBI is a Medicaid reimbursed service that is available to children with developmental disabilities who display challenging behaviors. IBI therapists work with children to develop positive behaviors and the skills they need to function in typical home and community environments. IBI is a one-to-one service that is individualized for each child.

Children must be found eligible before they begin to receive IBI services and will be evaluated at least annually for continuing eligibility. To be eligible for IBI, a child must: 

• Be determined to have a developmental disability as defined in Idaho Code. Not all children who are eligible for special education will be eligible for IBI, and not all children with an autism spectrum disorder will be eligible for IBI.
• Have severe maladaptive behaviors as measured by the Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R) with a score of minus 22 or lower, and
• Have a severe limitation (perform at 50 percent or less of normal age level) in verbal and nonverbal communication OR social interaction OR leisure and play skills

IBI can be delivered by a school or a Developmental Disabilities Agency (DDA). Not all schools or DDAs provide IBI. IBI staff must be certified by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare after successfully  completing a course in Intensive Behavioral Intervention. The course has been developed and is monitored by the Center on Disabilities and Human Development (CDHD) through the University of Idaho.

How can I learn more about the IBI Program?

To find out more information about this program, contact your local Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Developmental Disabilities office.

• Online, visit the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s web site. Click Here.
• By phone, you can call the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 to get the contact information of your local Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Developmental Disabilities office.
• You can search for your local Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Developmental Disabilities office contact information in the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine online database.

• Search by keyword: “Disability - Children”.

Further information is also available through the Idaho Training Cooperative (ITC) Center on Disabilities and

Human Development, through the University of Idaho. By phone, dial - 208-364-4045 or go online to:  http://idahocdhd.org/itc/