Midwest Behavior Academy

At Midwest Behavior Solutions (MBS), we are proud to expand our continuum of care with the launch of Midwest Behavior Academy (MBA)—an alternative special education program designed to support students who require individualized, intensive, and evidence-based services.

Midwest Behavior Academy was created to address a critical gap in educational placements for students whose needs extend beyond what traditional school settings can provide. Grounded in a person-centered, neurodiversity-affirming approach, MBA provides a structured and nurturing environment where students with diverse learning, behavioral, and developmental needs can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our program integrates the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with high-quality, standards-aligned special education practices. Through small class sizes, low student-to-staff ratios, and a multidisciplinary team—including educators, BCBAs, and related service providers—each student receives individualized programming designed to promote autonomy, meaningful behavioral growth, and lifelong learning.

Located adjacent to Midwest Behavior Solutions, MBA benefits from shared access to clinical resources, sensory spaces, and therapeutic supports, allowing for a seamless integration of educational and behavioral services.

We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in an environment that recognizes their strengths, supports their needs, and prepares them for the future. Through close collaboration with families, school districts, and community partners, we ensure continuity of care across settings and meaningful progress toward each student’s goals.

Midwest Behavior Academy: Every student. Every step. Every success.

Our Intake Process

At Midwest Behavior Academy, our intake process is designed to be collaborative, efficient, and individualized—ensuring that each student is appropriately placed and supported from the very beginning.

1. Referral & Initial Inquiry

Referrals are typically initiated by the student’s home school district through the IEP team. Families or districts may also contact MBA directly to inquire about services. Upon receiving an inquiry, our administrative team gathers initial information and determines program availability. The best contact email is midwestbehavioracademy@gmail.com.

2. Records Review

MBA conducts a comprehensive review of all available documentation, including the student’s current IEP, evaluation reports, behavior plans, and academic data. This step allows our team to assess whether our program can appropriately meet the student’s needs.

3. Student Observation

When possible, a member of the MBA team will observe the student in their current educational setting. This provides additional insight into the student’s strengths, needs, learning style, and behavioral profile to support informed decision-making.

4. Program Fit Determination and Family Tour

If the student is deemed an appropriate fit for MBA, we will invite the family to participate in a tour of the program. This allows families to:

See the learning environment
Meet members of the team
Ask questions and better understand our approach

5. IEP Meeting and Placement Decision

The student’s home school district will convene an IEP meeting to discuss and determine a change of placement, if appropriate. MBA collaborates with the district and family throughout this process to ensure alignment and clarity.

6. Intake Paperwork Completion

Once placement is approved, families and districts complete all required intake and enrollment documentation to prepare for services.

7. Start Date and Transition

A start date is established, and MBA coordinates with the district and family to support a smooth transition. Upon entry:

Individualized supports are implemented immediately
Data collection and programming begin
Ongoing communication is established

Our goal is to ensure a seamless, supportive transition into MBA, where each student is met with structure, care, and individualized support from day one.

Ongoing Programming and Collaboration

At Midwest Behavior Academy, our work does not stop at enrollment. We prioritize continuous assessment, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making to ensure each student receives effective, individualized support while working toward increased independence and less restrictive environments.

1. Initial Assessment & Program Development

Upon enrollment, MBA conducts comprehensive internal assessments to further evaluate each student’s strengths, needs, and skill levels. These may include tools such as VB-MAPP, PEAK, AFLS, curriculum-based assessments, and functional behavior assessments.

Assessment results are used to:

Develop individualized programming
Refine behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
Establish baseline data for progress monitoring

If needed, MBA will recommend amendments to the student’s IEP to ensure alignment with current levels of performance and service needs.

2. Ongoing Data Collection & Program Adjustment

All instruction and behavioral supports at MBA are driven by continuous data collection. Our team regularly reviews:

Skill acquisition data
Behavior data
Progress toward IEP goals

Programming is adjusted in real time to ensure responsiveness to each student’s progress and evolving needs.

3. Monthly Collaboration with Families and Districts

MBA maintains consistent communication and collaboration with both families and home school districts. Formal check-ins occur on a monthly basis and include:

Review of student progress
Updates on programming and behavior supports
Discussion of any needed adjustments
Parent training and support as requested

This ongoing collaboration ensures transparency, alignment, and continuity of care across environments.

4. Reintegration Planning & Readiness Monitoring

From the time of enrollment, MBA actively plans for each student’s progression toward a less restrictive environment when appropriate.

Our team utilizes a structured checklist and rubric system to:

Monitor readiness for increased independence
Assess generalization of skills across settings
Identify when supports can be gradually faded

Reintegration planning includes collaboration with the IEP team, data-based decision-making, and individualized transition supports to ensure success in the next placement.

5. Transition & Follow-Through

When a student is ready, MBA supports a gradual and structured transition back to their home district or a less restrictive setting. This may include:

Gradual increases in time within the new environment
Collaboration with receiving staff
Ongoing data tracking to ensure maintenance of skills

Our goal is to ensure that every student not only transitions successfully, but maintains progress and continues to thrive.

Meet The Team

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Dr. Alyssa Johnson, BCBA, LBA

Owner and Behavior Analyst

Alyssa Johnson is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received her B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University, her M.A. in Professional Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology, and her PhD in Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in OBM from The Chicago School. For the first 6 years of Alyssa's career, she worked in the home and clinic settings.

Since 2023, Alyssa has worked extensively in school settings as a Behavior Specialist, partnering with multidisciplinary teams to support students with a wide range of academic and behavioral needs. In this role, she has developed and implemented Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) within the school environment, ensuring alignment with educational standards and IEP requirements.

She has applied Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) models in classroom settings, adapting these approaches to fit the unique demands of school routines, staff capacity, and group instruction. Alyssa has also supported classroom management systems by coaching teachers and paraprofessionals on proactive strategies, reinforcement systems, and behavior prevention techniques.

In addition to behavioral supports, Alyssa has expanded her experience in school-based assessments and curriculum, collaborating with educators to align interventions with Illinois Learning Standards and individualized student goals. She has contributed to IEP development, progress monitoring, and data-based decision-making, ensuring that interventions are both educationally relevant and measurable.

Her role has also included training and ongoing coaching of school staff, increasing treatment integrity and building sustainable systems within classrooms. Through consultation, modeling, and feedback, she has helped teams implement effective strategies that improve student outcomes while supporting staff confidence and consistency.

This experience has provided Alyssa with a comprehensive understanding of how to bridge clinical ABA practices with educational systems—an approach that directly informs the development and implementation of Midwest Behavior Academy

Sidney Bomkamp

Inclusive Administrator

My name is Sidney, and I serve as the administrator at Midwest Behavior Academy. I have dedicated my career to special education and am deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments and advocating for the needs of others. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and our twin daughters. Our home is lively, shared with three dogs and three cats. I look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s growth and help them achieve their fullest potential.

Careers

We are hiring!

Join Our Team as a Paraprofessional / RBT

Midwest Behavior Academy is seeking dedicated paraprofessionals and RBTs to support students in a structured, supportive classroom environment. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about education, behavior support, and making a meaningful impact in students’ daily lives.

As a paraprofessional/RBT at MBA, you will work closely with teachers and BCBAs to implement individualized instruction and behavior support plans, helping students build the skills needed for long-term success.

At MBA, you can expect:

A small, team-based classroom environment
Ongoing coaching and support from BCBAs and special education staff
Hands-on experience integrating ABA within an educational setting
Opportunities to grow within both clinical and school-based roles
A mission-driven team focused on student independence and progress

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a program designed to bridge the gap between clinical and educational services.

👉 Apply Today and Support Student Success

https://www.indeed.com/job/special-education-paraprofessional-45fe6ff49d97ba43

You can also email your resume to Sidney Bomkamp at sbomkamp@midbs.com

Join Our Team as a Special Education Teacher

Midwest Behavior Academy is seeking a passionate and innovative special education teacher to join our growing program. This role is ideal for an educator who values individualized instruction, collaboration, and the integration of evidence-based practices within the classroom.

As a teacher at MBA, you will lead a small classroom of students with diverse learning and behavioral needs, working closely with BCBAs and support staff to create meaningful, individualized educational experiences.

At MBA, you can expect:

Small class sizes with high levels of support
Collaboration with BCBAs to integrate ABA strategies into instruction
Flexibility to individualize curriculum and teaching approaches
A supportive leadership team focused on quality and innovation
The opportunity to be part of building a program from the ground up

Our goal is to create an environment where both students and staff can thrive, grow, and succeed.

👉 Apply Today and Help Shape the Future of Our Program

https://www.indeed.com/job/special-education-teacher-5efc1ac8e719427f

You can also email your resume to Sidney Bomkamp at sbomkamp@midbs.com

Midwest Behavior Academy