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Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child
Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child
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Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child

Helping the Behaviorally Challenging ChildHelping the Behaviorally Challenging ChildHelping the Behaviorally Challenging Child

Compliance is about Skill, Not Will

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Sign up for Parent Coaching

Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child

Helping the Behaviorally Challenging ChildHelping the Behaviorally Challenging ChildHelping the Behaviorally Challenging Child

Compliance is about Skill, Not Will

sign up for a parent course
Sign up for Parent Coaching

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714.695.1057

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Parent Classes

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Parent Support

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Professional Trainings

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Welcome

Question: Where do adults learn more about a trust-based, trauma-informed, inclusive and relational approach around challenging behaviors in Orange County?


Answer: Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child (HBCC)


Contact Us: Save your seat to proven evidence-based trainings to see behaviorally challenging children, adolescents and/or young adults build skills and thrive.


Is a diagnosis required? While those with challenging behaviors are typically diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, DMDD, PDA, ODD, anxiety, dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc., a diagnosis is not required.

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Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child

145 W. Main Street, Suite 260, Tustin, California 92780

(714) 695-1057

Frequently Asked Questions

Reach out to us at info@hbcc.us or leave a message @ 714-695-1057

HBCC's philosophy is grounded in an evidence-based approach called Collaborative Problem Solving®(CPS) which is owned and developed by Think:Kids (www.thinkkids.org), a program based in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH) in Boston, MA. Those CPS Certified receive ongoing supervision from T:K and are independent of MGH.

HBCC is a non-profit in Orange County, California TAX ID #46-3240447 that promotes the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill, not the will, to behave well. HBCC champions rethinking challenging behaviors beyond the medical model, into the social-emotional model, and amazing results are happening. 


Social-Emotional Model 

  • Child is valued
  • Strengths and needs defined by self & others
  • Identify barriers and develop solutions
  • Outcome based programs designed  
  • Resources are made readily available to ordinary services
  • Training includes parents
  • Relationships nurtured
  • Society evolves
  • Child included
  • Diversity welcomed   
  • Professionals re-trained

VS


Medical Model 

  • Child is faulty, needs fixing
  • Diagnosis focused
  • Labeling
  • Impairment becomes focus of attention
  • Monitoring and behavior modification therapy imposed
  • Segregated and alternative services
  • Ordinary needs put on hold
  • Society remains unchanged 
  • Re-entry conditional 
  • Permanent exclusion if non-compliant
  • Conventional training utilized


Parent/Caregiver Classes Alternate from  

  • Weekday Evenings 7pm - 9pm
  • Weekday Mornings 10am - Noon
  • Saturday Mornings 10am - Noon

You can find Parent Trainings dates & times here or on Calendar of Events above   


Professional & Advanced Trainings on

  • 2-hour Overview
  • Essential Foundation
  • FBA/BIP Workshops  

You can find Advanced Trainings dates & times here or on Calendar of Events above


  • Parent Classes are 6-weeks in length
  • 2 hours each session (w/5 min break)
  • Each class builds on the previous weeks class


How long are the Professional & Advanced trainings? 

  • Overviews are 2 hours
  • Essential Foundation is 2 full days or 4 half days
  • FBA/BIP Workshops are 1 day 


  • Tustin (continuously)
  • Virtual (occasionally)
  • Can be scheduled at your agency, school, or privates in-home


No. The ideal is that both parents take the class at some point. It may not always be possible to take the class together at the same time due to childcare, etc. Each parent can attend their own class series, depending on schedules. Discounts apply whenever taking the course for the same child.


Single parents taking the course are encouraged to attend and build a community of supporters. It is highly beneficial to hear the approach firsthand, so grandparents, caregivers, stepparents and significant others are all encouraged to take the course when it works with schedules.


HBCC holds 2-hour Overviews on Collaborative Problem Solving®(CPS) and an 18-hour Essential foundation training which includes guidance on the roadmap to implementation and certification opportunities through Think:Kids, who own and develop this evidence-based approach.


HBCC hosts on-going trainings, coaching and support for parents/caregivers, educators/professionals bringing adults to understand challenging behaviors through a lens that is trust-based, brings connection and durable solutions. 


HBCC highly recommends that learning with guidance how to become a child's advocate and operate from the belief that challenging kids lack the skill, not the will, to meet expectations. The truth is most adults receive zero training on neurodiversity and are not aware of what has been learned post-1990's, the decade of the brain.


There is a myth that kids who present well yet have challenging behaviors are not living up to their potential which in turn compounds their problems by putting more demands up on them without a foundation for addressing their challenges. 


At HBCC we strive to answer the question that asks, "what will help a chronically behaviorally challenging child be successful and maximize their potential?"    


Options for virtual trainings are available and can be discussed.

Please inquire if you are interested in virtual options. 

Call 714.695.1057 or email info@hbcc.us 


The parenting class at HBCC in Tustin is in-person as we believe joining with others in a safe space experiencing similar circumstances is the ideal way to learn the approach. 


The parent course is limited to 10 families per class. Parents, caregivers and guardians appreciate the company of being with others going through a similar situation in-person. They find out they are not alone! 


Overview and Advanced trainings with HBCC can be customized and done at your agency or school, or at HBCC in Tustin. For more info Advanced Trainings


The parent course training includes:

  • a binder
  • a weekly digital PowerPoint
  • parent handouts
  • weekly worksheets
  • step-by-step guidance
  • weekly email summaries
  • parent coaching during class
  • certificate of completion 
  • optional: follow-up coaching at the end of the course
  • optional: Wednesday Night Support Groups


The CPS 2-hour Overview training includes:

  • a digital PowerPoint
  • training worksheets
  • a certificate of completion
  • step-by-step guidance


The CPS Level 1 Essential Foundation training includes:

  • a digital PowerPoint
  • a training workbook and case study 
  • Certificate of Completion
  • step-by-step guidance
  • coaching during training
  • professional development CEU/PDU certificates/Graduate Credit


Yes, HBCC provides parent behavior coaching during the 6-week course and after the course is an option. Through Parent Coaching https://hbcc.us/coaching, a CPS Certified team member works with you to help empower what you are already good at and to help shore up your weaker areas. HBCC offers individual coaching and group coaching, and we also have support groups on-going, Wednesday nights https://hbcc.us/support-groups 


HBCC also offers Affiliate Classes for parents to continue your journey understanding challenging behaviors Affiliate Classes 


Give us a call at 714.695.1057 or email info@hbcc.us if you would like to discuss further. 


Join Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child in Making a Difference

Trainings & Coaching

It can feel like kids with behavioral challenges are giving adults a hard time on purpose. This can lead to frayed relationships, shame and blame. At HBCC we help adults gain insights and learn actionable strategies to guide challenging children through proven evidence-based steps to become their most functional, fulfilled and authentic self's with proven steps on


  • how to build resilience and emotional balance
  • how to advocate for a learning environment where they can thrive
  • how to help your child build friendships that feel right
  • how to strengthen executive function for daily success
  • how to support their unique journey toward thriving


The truth is "if everyone could do well, they would do well" and Collaborative Problem Solving is the foundation that helps adults focus on the unsolved problems BEHIND the behavior, instead of the behavior itself. HBCC helps adults learn how to assess, plan and intervene to build the skills that are getting in the way to thriving. 

Trainings

Donate Now

Parenting isn't always easy - but you're not alone! Your donation helps support our organization's mission to make a positive impact in our community. We appreciate your generosity and support! 

Donate

Volunteer Opportunities

Join our team of volunteers and make a difference in the lives of others. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available. Want to help us enlighten and empower others to learning about our work? There are many ways to get involved with HBCC.  Sign up today, we'd love to have you on board!

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Our Impact

At HBCC we understand the challenges and struggles with lagging skills and tough moments that can feel overwhelming and worrisome. We are a team of parent professionals who for over 15 years have helped adults just like you.


HBCC has made a significant difference in the Orange County community and in the lives of those we serve. We see you. We are you. You are raising a bright, ADHD, ASD, anxious or dyslexic child who is full of potential.  A diagnosis isn't always needed to have concerns. We are committed to maximizing the potential of ALL children and improving the lives of the adults in their lives by helping with a clear path for challenging children to learn their strengths, address their challenges and guild them toward shining at home, in school and with friends.


Collaborative Problem Solving builds connection, produces calm, and brings back more lovable moments by introducing tools, support on how to produce an environment where children/adolescents/young adults feel understood and celebrated for their unique strengths and quirks to help them toward becoming their most authentic, fulfilled selves. 

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Empowering Communities Through Action and Awareness

 The Challenge: Adults come to HBCC and appreciate not only learning the Collaborative Problem Solving approach, but the opportunity to find their community and learn with others who have similar concerns regarding undesired behaviors and have not found an approach that is helpful. Adults find out they are not alone with the conventional behavior modification approach not working for their child/student.


Adults come to the HBCC community having tried plenty of rewards, plenty of being more consistent and plenty of following through with consequences and it is NOT working. As a matter of fact, it's like pouring gas on a fire (consequences), salt on a wound (rewards) and feelings of abandonment (ignoring).  


HBCC teaches what works for most of the population (70%), does not work for their differently wired, neurodiverse child (which is 30% of the population).


HBCC champions rethinking undesired challenging behaviors and helps adults take a path to becoming change makers! 

Trainings in Collaborative Problem Solving®

CPS Certified Behavior Coaches

HBCC provides an effective, evidence-based, trainings where you will learn how to partner with a child to identify the triggers for their challenging behavior and work together to produce a game plan for how to handle problems BEFORE they happen. 


Take the first step to reduce adult/child power struggles and conflict today by signing up for a class.


Call 714.695.1057 for a FREE consultation with an HBCC Certified CPS® Parent Coach 


CPS strengthens relationships and teaches skills! 


#HBCC #CuriousNotFurious #PraiseApproximationToTheGoal #IncrementsEveryoneCanHandle #CPSapproach #SkillNotWill #2e #KidsDoWellifTheyCan #ChildBehavior #BehaviorManagement #MentalHealthAwareness #ADHDawareness #ADHDsupport #neurodiversity #SmartAndQuirky #ADHDparenting #DisciplineWithoutRelationshipLeadsToRebellion

#ASDparenting #ASDsupport #ASDawareness #ChallengingBehaviors 

What is Collaborative Problem Solving®?

Collaborative Problem Solving®(CPS) is an evidence-based approach developed by Think:Kids, a program based in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.


CPS is a big shift when it comes to understanding your child's challenging behaviors and what to do about it.


CPS is proven to reduce challenging behavior, increase compliance, improve family relationships and help your child build the skills they lack. 

www.thinkkids.org 

HBCCs Story

Take a moment and listen to the story from the Founder and CEO of HBCC, Debra Ann Afarian -- be sure to watch to the end, past the credits.

New Possibilities In Parenting

What if behavioral challenges are about something completely different than what you think they are? Mara James of Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) interviews HBCC founder, Debra Ann Afarian on her "Let's Talk Wellness" podcast.  Debra Ann shares her powerful story and how it inspired her to help other parents understand and empower their children. 

Inspirational Interview

Jill Stowell of Stowell Learning Center speaks with HBCC Founder, Debra Ann Afarian, who has a message of experience, strength and hope!

Key Points:

✔️ A child's challenging behaviors are NOT the parents' fault.

✔️ Practical guidance for meeting your child exactly where they are. 

✔️ Compassionately move your child to a place of self-control & success. 

✔️ Learn how to stop the adult/child power struggles & implement Collaborative Problem Solving®. 

Help Champion Our Cause

Your support, donations and contributions enable us to meet our overall goals. Your generous donations fund our mission and provide outreach, tuition assistance, and trainings for families, as well as educators & service providers.

Donate

 Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child (HBCC) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation whose mission is to enable children experiencing behavioral health challenges to lead more productive and inclusive lives.  We work to transform these children's lives by deepening adults’ understanding of their behaviors, and promoting effective interventions that focus on connectedness, collaboration, and inclusion. 


© 2024 Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child 501(c)(3)

Non-Profit I.D. #46-3240447 - All Rights Reserved.

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