At Association of Behavior Consultants, Inc., we understand that you may have questions about our programs, services, and processes. Our FAQ page is designed to provide clear and helpful answers to the inquiries we hear most often. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or professional seeking more information, we hope these responses give you the guidance you need. If you do not find the answer you are looking for, please reach out to us directly—we are always here to help.
General Questions
What is your process?
When a client is referred to one of our programs, we review the referral against our behavioral criteria. While we accept most clients, limited staffing and certain extreme behaviors may prevent us from providing appropriate support. Once accepted, the client meets with our staff specialist and their regional service coordinator to begin developing an Individual Program Plan (IPP) tailored to their needs and goals.
Our team, many of whom hold advanced degrees in psychology and counseling, provides both traditional and behavioral therapies. Throughout every step, we follow strict policies that emphasize positive interactions, protect client rights, and prioritize each individual's freedom and quality of life.
Our team, many of whom hold advanced degrees in psychology and counseling, provides both traditional and behavioral therapies. Throughout every step, we follow strict policies that emphasize positive interactions, protect client rights, and prioritize each individual's freedom and quality of life.
What parts of California do you serve?
We proudly serve multiple regions of Northern California through close partnerships with three regional centers, each responsible for coordinating services in their designated areas.
- North Bay Regional Center – Serving Napa, Sonoma, and Solano Counties, we provide comprehensive behavioral services that connect families, schools, and community resources, from the vineyards of Napa to the cities of Sebastopol and Vallejo.
- Redwood Coast Regional Center – Covering Mendocino and Lake Counties, we support individuals and families in Ukiah, Willits, and surrounding communities. Our team ensures that specialized behavioral services are available to both rural and semi-rural populations.
- Golden Gate Regional Center – Serving San Francisco, Marin, and neighboring Bay Area communities, we provide behavioral consulting that reflects the diversity and cultural richness of this region, ensuring compassionate and individualized care.
Through these regional centers, we are able to tailor our programs to meet the unique needs of each community while maintaining the highest standards of care.
When was ABC, Inc. started?
Association of Behavior Consultants, Inc. was founded in 1979 by William Palyo in Sonoma County, California.
For more than four decades, we have been dedicated to delivering high-quality behavioral services across multiple counties, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
For more than four decades, we have been dedicated to delivering high-quality behavioral services across multiple counties, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
Programs Offered
What is the No Barriers program?
The No Barriers program is a specialized one-to-one service designed to address a wide range of individual needs. Our consultants work directly with each client to set meaningful goals and outline the steps needed to achieve them.
Services may include transportation into the community to practice personal goals, assistance with education and preparation for employment, ongoing counseling and behavioral guidance to build independence, and support in identifying and participating in community activities. The program is offered across three regional service areas—Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties.
Services may include transportation into the community to practice personal goals, assistance with education and preparation for employment, ongoing counseling and behavioral guidance to build independence, and support in identifying and participating in community activities. The program is offered across three regional service areas—Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties.
What is the Opportunities Unlimited program?
The Opportunities Unlimited program is designed to support community integration through group services that emphasize employment readiness, social development, and behavioral goal achievement.
Participants take part in group-based community activities, receive training to build employment-related skills, and work toward behavioral goals in real-world settings. This program is available in three regional areas: Ukiah, Willits, and Lake County.
Participants take part in group-based community activities, receive training to build employment-related skills, and work toward behavioral goals in real-world settings. This program is available in three regional areas: Ukiah, Willits, and Lake County.
What is the Special Start program?
The Special Start program provides essential support to infants and their families, focusing on critical developmental milestones during the earliest years of life.
Services are delivered by master's-level professionals and certified specialists, ensuring expertise and individualized care. Support often includes speech therapy to encourage early communication, parent counseling to strengthen family involvement, and behaviorally driven plans tailored to each child's unique developmental needs. The program is available to families in Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco Counties.
Services are delivered by master's-level professionals and certified specialists, ensuring expertise and individualized care. Support often includes speech therapy to encourage early communication, parent counseling to strengthen family involvement, and behaviorally driven plans tailored to each child's unique developmental needs. The program is available to families in Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco Counties.
What is the SOAR program?
The Safe Opportunities for Advocacy & Relationships (SOAR) program takes a comprehensive, wrap-around approach to supporting both the mental and physical well-being of clients. Its goal is to strengthen self-advocacy and relationship-building skills, providing individuals with the tools they need to succeed in personal and social settings.
Services include education and therapy to enhance mental health and resilience, adaptive skills training to improve social understanding and trust-building, and guidance on recognizing risks, interpreting warning signs, and advocating for oneself in everyday life. SOAR is offered primarily in Sonoma County through the North Bay Regional Center (NBRC).
Services include education and therapy to enhance mental health and resilience, adaptive skills training to improve social understanding and trust-building, and guidance on recognizing risks, interpreting warning signs, and advocating for oneself in everyday life. SOAR is offered primarily in Sonoma County through the North Bay Regional Center (NBRC).