Milena Bakalov
Niagara Falls
Summary
Experienced in behavior assessment and intervention strategies with a strong focus on enhancing client well-being. Utilize collaborative approaches to develop individualized behavior plans with a proven track record of success. Effective communication skills to apply behavior analysis principles. Diligent behavior specialist with a background in behavior analysis and support strategies, effectively working with diverse populations to develop and implement individualized behavior intervention plans resulting in enhanced client outcomes. Demonstrated expertise in behavior assessment and intervention, as well as collaborative problem-solving. Organizational behavior specialist with a primary focus on developing and implementing effective behavior intervention plans. Proven track record of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, known for adaptability, reliability, and commitment to achieving positive outcomes through evidence-based practices. Extensive experience in applying evidence-based strategies to improve individual and group outcomes. Professional behavior specialist excelling in team collaboration, adaptable to changing needs, committed to achieving measurable results through skills in behavioral assessment, intervention planning, and progress monitoring. Observant individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, building meaningful relationships with clients and families. Experience working with clients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, offering crisis intervention to help individuals navigate through traumatic experiences. Thorough team contributor with strong organizational capabilities, experienced in handling numerous projects while ensuring accuracy. Effective prioritization of tasks to consistently meet deadlines.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Behaviour Consultant
Niagara Children's Center
04.2019 - Current
- Developing program for Behavioural Services at Niagara Children’s Center
- Developing behaviour reporting form for Gold Care & Alaya Care
- Observing, recording, and assessing client behaviour and creating personalized and individualized strategies to support positive behaviour outcomes
- Consulting with clinical team members and working within a multi-disciplinary team who are a part of the clients profile in order to have a whole child and holistic approach to the strategies implemented for successful behaviour outcomes
- Developing workshops as part of the Parent Education Plan and leading Parent Education (virtual and in- person workshops and webinars)
- CARF Standards knowledge & implementation within program development that align with international standards
- Developing the referral form for behavioural feeding clients, as well as created the Parent and Clinician Support forms for completing the Behavioural Pediatrics Assessment Scale
- Developing and creating resources for parents and staff
- Identify trends and opportunities for quality improvement
- Facilitated skill-building groups focused on social skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving strategies for diverse client populations.
- Coordinated with clinical staff to develop and implement strategies that complemented individual behavior intervention plans, promoting consistency across settings.
- Presented workshops and trainings to educate community members about various aspects of behavioral health and intervention strategies.
- Conducted assessments to identify underlying causes of problematic behaviors and inform treatment planning.
- Reduced instances of maladaptive behaviors in clients by teaching appropriate replacement skills in therapy sessions.
- Developed strong relationships with schools, medical professionals, and other service providers to facilitate a coordinated approach to client care.
- Improved client satisfaction and retention rates by establishing rapport, trust, and open lines of communication between clients, families, and treatment teams.
- Contributed to the growth of the organization by participating in marketing initiatives and representing the company at events.
- Improved client outcomes by designing and implementing customized behavior intervention plans.
- Provided ongoing support to families, helping them understand and manage their child''s behavior more effectively.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing challenging behaviors.
- Maintained detailed documentation on all sessions, interventions, and communications related to each client case in accordance with ethical standards and company policies.
- Conducted regular reviews of progress data to make informed decisions about treatment modifications or potential discharge criteria for clients transitioning out of services.
- Trained parents on evidence-based practices for working with individuals with behavioral challenges, increasing overall effectiveness of interventions.
- Served as a mentor for new hires within the organization, providing guidance on best practices while fostering a supportive team environment.
- Enhanced quality of care for clients through consistent monitoring, data analysis, and plan adjustments.
- Assessed patient behavior, moods, and other responses to determine correct diagnosis and devise treatment plans.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Attended trainings to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards.
- Conducted crisis interventions to respond to clients in crisis, assess immediate needs and provide support and resources.
- Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
- Provided referrals to connect clients with other community resources to support mental health and well-being.
- Prepared reports to summarize clients' treatment progress.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
Special Needs Teacher & Whole School Literacy Coordinator
Arbour Vale School
05.2012 - 12.2016
- Developing learning activities, planning, preparing and reflective thinking on lesson planning
- Preparing and adapting teaching material, making maximal use of specialist facilities and/or equipment (such as using sensory rooms or soft play rooms)
- Teaching on an individual and small group basis, checking and assessing students work as well as recording and creating NEXT steps and communicating those to the pupils & parents
- Creating worksheets using In-Print in order to facilitate communication and understanding of lessons for pupils with varying communication needs
- Using special communication devices in order to facilitate communication and learning about the use of different communication aids
- Preparing Individualized Education Programs for each pupil in the class and tracking progress in their curriculum, behaviour & forming strategies to improve and make progress in their education and well-being
- Informed parental guidance and seeking to have compliance with parents and support as well as follow through of individualized behaviour programs at home
- Formal an informal assessment designs which are appropriate f0r teaching strategies by monitoring and evaluating pupil progress
- Prepare progress reports for pupils using specialized software in order to promote pupil engagement and understanding of lesson objectives
- Writing key reports for parents and specialized staff such as Educational Psychologists & Speech therapists in order to facilitate external professional support for the pupils, as well as having 1:1 meetings with the professionals in order to communicate pupils goals and the educational outcomes we hope to achieve
- Weekly meetings with support staff to communicate weekly goals and resource preparation as well as training support staff on using software and communication aids to facilitate pupil learning and communication such as I-Pads for communication purposes
- Creating and preparing communication symbols and books for pupils with Autism (PECS) as well as using Makaton and embedding symbols within the daily lessons to promote knowledge and understanding of lesson material
- Prepare Risk Assessments for each pupil and on/off site Risk Assessments specific to a location based on each individual pupil and their needs specific to the location
- Writing whole school literacy targets that are in line with the whole school ethos and agenda as well as writing monthly literacy newsletters for the whole school
- Planning and implementing whole school literacy dates and activities
- Leading on whole school literacy training for all staff across the curriculum as well as leading on whole school software training specifically programs which promote communication such as In-Print (delivering drop-in sessions throughout the school year as well as planned learning sessions)
- Delivering assemblies that link to whole school literacy days of celebration, as well as creating presentations for whole school certificate assemblies (stars of the term)
- Inviting external stakeholders in order to promote and celebrate literacy such as live stories presented to the different age groups that are specific to their age range
- Researching and applying for external funding as well as national literacy contests which the pupils were selected and had their work published in the National journals of poetry for the Southwest region of London
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive support plans for each student''s unique needs.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
- Enhanced students'' critical thinking skills through problem-solving activities and hands-on learning experiences.
- Assessed students'' progress regularly using formal and informal assessments, adjusting instruction based on data-driven results.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication, updates on student progress, and opportunities to participate in classroom activities.
- Mentored new special education teachers, sharing expertise and guidance to promote successful teaching practices within the department.
- Managed individualized goals and objectives for each student while maintaining accurate records of progress towards achieving them.
- Coordinated with general education teachers to modify lessons as needed for inclusion of special needs students into mainstream classrooms when appropriate.
- Improved student reading comprehension by incorporating diverse texts and teaching strategies in the curriculum.
- Promoted positive behavior management techniques, resulting in a decrease in classroom disruptions and increased engagement from students.
- Advocated for special needs students at school-wide meetings, ensuring their voices were heard and their unique challenges were addressed.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Improved behavior by modeling positive choices and teaching socially-acceptable options.
- Revamped existing curriculum materials by incorporating culturally relevant texts that resonated with students from diverse backgrounds.
- Assessed literacy needs of school by reviewing student data and current curriculum.
Kinesiologist/General Manager
Premier Fitness
10.2010 - 12.2011
- Assess new clients health by performing and recording performance outcomes
- Plan and calculate caloric intake based on health goals and promote and recommend meal plans specific to each client’s health needs
- Daily monitoring of membership goals and sales of memberships specific to head office recommendations
- Scheduling of staff both front of house and overlooking the fitness program for the month inclusive of daily classes
- Help clients to implement their fitness goals by keeping in touch and having regular scheduled meetings in order to discuss and evaluate their progress
- Instructing clients in exercises and the use of therapy aids
- Evaluated clients'' progress regularly, adjusting treatment approaches accordingly to ensure sustained improvements in health and wellbeing.
- Increased client satisfaction by providing attentive care and addressing individual concerns during sessions.
- Assisted clients in achieving their fitness goals by providing expert guidance on exercise selection and form.
- Enhanced clients'' overall well-being through comprehensive assessments and tailored treatment plans.
- Promoted optimal health through the development of customized nutrition plans based on individual needs and preferences.
- Exhibited courtesy, compassion and respect to patients, families, caregivers, visitors, physicians, administrators and co-workers.
- Tracked and evaluated patient progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Interpreted results and proposed intervention plans incorporating short and long-range goals.
Education
Master of Science - Psychology, Health and Behaviour
Brunel University
05.2017
Post Graduate Degree in Education - Specialization in the Science’s, Physical Education and Working with Special Needs Populations
Sunshine Coast University
Sunshine Coast, Queensland12.2011
Honors, Bachelor in Kinesiology - undefined
Brock University
05.2008
Triple P Positive Parenting Program - undefined
06.2020
Skills
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Goal setting and monitoring
- Critical thinking
- Parent and staff training
- Applied behavior analysis
- Functional behavior assessment
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
- Conflict resolution strategies
- Behavior modification techniques
- Individualized intervention planning
- Visual supports development
- Behavioral support plans
- Data collection and analysis
- Positive reinforcement strategies
- Team collaboration
- Clinical assessment
Affiliations
- ONTARIO PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
- COLLEGE OF TEACHERS ONTARIO
- ONTARIO ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS
Languages
English
Full Professional
Certification
- Psychology, Health & BehaviourTraining
- Certified Triple P facilitator, Triple P
- Certified Ontario College of Teachers
Timeline
Behaviour Consultant
Niagara Children's Center
04.2019 - Current
Special Needs Teacher & Whole School Literacy Coordinator
Arbour Vale School
05.2012 - 12.2016
Kinesiologist/General Manager
Premier Fitness
10.2010 - 12.2011
Post Graduate Degree in Education - Specialization in the Science’s, Physical Education and Working with Special Needs Populations
Sunshine Coast University
Honors, Bachelor in Kinesiology - undefined
Brock University
Triple P Positive Parenting Program - undefined
Master of Science - Psychology, Health and Behaviour
Brunel University
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