Virginia APBS Network
Executive Steering Committee
Justin Creech
Jennifer Diehl
Justin Creech, PBSF-Justin Creech became endorsed as a Positive
Behavior Support Facilitator in 2006. In 2007, he started a
company called Positive Behavior Consulting, LLC, which provides
Positive Behavior Supports to individuals with mental health and
intellectual disabilities. He has worked in close collaboration with
the Partnership for People with Disabilities as an endorsement
board member, teacher, and mentor to help increase overall
knowledge and the number of qualified PBS providers in
Virginia. As a result of this ongoing effort, in 2010 he received the
“Linking people, changing lives” award for making a significant
difference on behalf of self-advocates and families, which was
presented at the 25th anniversary of VCU’s Partnership for People
with Disabilities. Justin has also assisted with expanding Positive
Behavior Supports services within the Department of Aging &
Rehabilitative Services through trainings and workshops. He
currently serves on the Region IV REACH Advisory Council and
ID/DD Child Crisis Initiative and is working closely with the
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and
other stakeholders to provide a comprehensive behavioral systems
plan to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition, Justin has
presented at the Association of Positive Behavior Supports Annual
Conference, Powhatan Special Education Advisory Committee, and
the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards. He has
also served as a board member for the Hanover Mental Health
Association from 2012-2014.
Justin has been fortunate to see the PBS project grow from the
ground up and his ultimate goal is to continue to help build and
solidify PBS in Virginia and for it to become a model for other
states to follow. His is excited to see its continued growth and
work collaboratively with all PBSF’s in Virginia to make this happen.
Jennifer Diehl- I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a
Certified Positive Behavioral Support Facilitator with 18 years of
direct clinical experience with individuals, families and groups in
hospital and community-based behavioral healthcare settings. I
have a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth
University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from
Longwood College. I have extensive experience in assessment &
diagnostics, treatment, utilization review, case management,
service planning, crisis intervention, supervision/mentoring and
community education. In addition, I am an active participant in
various multi-disciplinary, inter-agency teams while fostering
positive working relationships with local community entities
including schools, courts, law enforcement, healthcare providers
and other service-related agencies. Currently, I am the sole
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Jennifer Diehl – continued
Richard Kriner
proprietor of Behavioral & Counseling Services of Hanover, LLC, an
outpatient private practice which provides a broad range of
counseling services to children, adolescents and adults with mental
health, substance abuse and/or intellectual disabilities. In
addition, I am a member of the Hanover County Mental Health
Association and serve on their Executive Board as Secretary.
Lastly, I have been an active member of the Positive Behavioral
Support (PBS) Facilitators Forum since becoming certified as part of
the initial class in 2003. Since becoming certified, it has been my
continued commitment to see this unique and diverse group of
professionals grow to become a respected and valued component
of the helping professions community. I have demonstrated this
commitment through serving as both a class and forum instructor,
a mentor and an endorsement board member for the PBS project.
I would be honored and privileged to continue this commitment by
serving on the PBS Executive Steering Committee. My goal would
be to continue respecting the tenants of the PBS project while
assisting in the development of the APBS Virginia Chapter of PBS
Facilitators' core structure and best practice standards. I would
work diligently to accomplish this via a mutuality of collaboration,
respect and commitment to my PBS peers and the on-going
functioning of the chapter as a whole.
Richard Kriner- I have been an endorsed PBS Facilitator since 2013
and have supported people with disabilities for over 15 years
having worked in a variety of roles such as Certified Recreation
Therapist, Job Coach, Counselor, Case Manager, and Program
Manager. I have also spent timing managing or supporting VA DRS
programs such as the VCU ASD Career Links Grant, The VA
Statewide Independent Living Council, The Virginia Disability
Program Navigator Project, and Virginia’s Disability Services
Boards. When I am not working I am at home trying to keep up
with my four children ages 1-9 and attempting to get in more than
three words a day to my wife between diaper changes, bike rides,
karate class, and other family adventures.
Having spent the last 13 years of my working life at the Virginia
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (VADARS) I have
valued a career rich in opportunities for professional growth and
opportunities to have a meaningful impact on the lives of
individuals with disabilities. I have worked in direct services and
program management level roles and my current position includes
a blend of direct service and management responsibilities. Many of
my direct support activities allow me to put on my PBS Facilitator
hat such as working with VR clients and their support team to
demonstrate and provide technical assistance on effective person
centered planning and PBS interventions and strategies. At a
programmatic level my current focus is on integrating findings
from evidence based research through the implementation of new
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autism-focused service models. These new service models include
a significant focus on Positive Behavior Support Interventions. An
exciting outcome of this work was the development and
formalization of a DARS Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS)
program based on a PBS approach which is creating new
opportunities for VR clients to find success and achieve their
employment goals.
In closing I want to express my excitement and optimism for the
future of PBS in Virginia and my strong interest in participating in
the PBS Steering Committee and contributing to the future of our
program. Over the last 24 months I have remained involved with
PBS Facilitator Forums and have been an active participant in
donating time for continuing education events for PBS Facilitators
on a statewide basis. I have both a personal and professional
investment in promoting independence, success and selfsufficiency for all persons with disabilities and I hope to have a
chance to bring my passion, knowledge, and skills to the table as a
member of Virginia’s PBS Steering Committee.
Beth Pleinka-Bateman
Beth Pleinka-Bateman- Beth graduated from the University of
Virginia (Go Wahoos!) with a BA in psychology. She has been
supporting individuals with IDD for 11 years, starting in residential
direct support and support coordination, transitioning into the roles
of IDD Compliance Coordinator and Positive Behavior Support
Facilitator at the Hampton-Newport News Community Services
Board. Beth stays up-to-date on changes to licensing and Waiver
regulations in order to aid CSB staff in articulating change, both in
policy and practice. She has been a PBS facilitator for 6 years, and
continues to be a strong advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Beth is currently involved in training as well, at the CSB, regional,
and state level. She has experience in facilitating several trainings,
including Person-Centered Thinking, PCT Support Days, &
Community Connections. She also co-facilitates the Tidewater PCT
Coaches Group, and is a part of the Virginia Person Centered
Practices Planning Group. Beth is in the process of being certified
to teach Advanced PC ISP training as well, via the ISP Specialist
Training. While not at work, Beth spends time with her husband
and daughter, and the family pets (currently a dog, 2 cats, bees, and
coming soon--chickens!).
VJ Petillo- My experience with persons with intellectual disabilities
and other mental and physical disabilities is extensive, dating back
to 1991. In that time, I’ve worked in a wide-variety of service
settings, including: residential services, supported employment,
exceptional education, case management, and crisis supports. A
significant part of my work throughout my career has involved
directly providing and/or developing behavioral supports. I was
endorsed as a Positive Behavior Support Facilitator in Virginia in
2006, after which I was a private provider of therapeutic
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behavioral consultation for six years. I have served as a PBS
mentor for trainees and on the PBS Endorsement Board. I’ve been
responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring
of behavioral supports for numerous individuals with intellectual
disabilities and challenging behavior or co-occurring mental illness.
VJ Petillo
Laura Sabados
Because I have extensive experience in a variety of service systems
in community settings, I am able to take a global perspective when
I approach positive behavioral supports. Through the formal
process of PBS, I’ve had the most direct and significant impact
upon the quality of life of individuals who have been identified as
having “problem behavior” that has posed barriers to
independence and inclusion. Through PBS, I’ve been instrumental
in helping individuals improve their skills, remain safe, establish
positive relationships, make meaningful contributions, maintain
community living, and achieve their personal goals. One of my
greatest strengths is my ability to facilitate behavioral
interdisciplinary teams, which affords an individual the most
holistic and comprehensive behavioral assessment and planning
possible. I am very skilled at the clinical aspects of PBS while
maintaining an effective balance with person-centered practices
that enhance the respect and dignity afforded to the individuals
I’ve served.
Laura Sabados earned Bachelor’s degrees in Music Therapy and
Music Education in 1986 and became a Music Therapist-Board
Certified in 1991. She became an endorsed Positive Behavior
Support Facilitator in 2008 and has maintained active involvement
in Facilitator Forums and continuing education (attending a
majority in person). Laura has over 25 years of professional
experience working with individuals throughout the life span
diagnosed with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum
Disorders, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Mental Health
Diagnoses (including Personality Disorders), and co-occurring
Substance Abuse. Laura worked for state psychiatric hospitals,
Community Services Boards, and other community agencies and
private providers before beginning a full-time private practice in
Positive Behavior Supports in 2013; positions included direct
services, participation on therapeutic interdisciplinary teams,
training staff, team leadership, and supervision of up to 11 staff.
She is familiar with the following regulations: Licensure, Core
Standards, Human Rights, and Medicaid and also chaired a medical
records committee at a CSB. Laura has a passion for helping
individuals and their teams achieve their goals, and would like to
share her passion and experience in helping Positive Behavior
Support Facilitators strengthen their presence in Virginia
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Daphne Weaver
Daphne Weaver- I am Daphne Weaver and I have been a PBSF
since 2008. I was certified through the expedited process since I
had been in a similar role at Central State Hospital since 2000. I
was a member of, then supervisor, for the ID Behavior Team,
consulting with treatment teams for patients with ID, DD, Mental
Health Diagnoses, and those who are Dually Diagnosed. I have also
been a PBSF provider for a private company in the Tri-Cities for 4
years. In 2012 I began working at Southside Virginia Training
Center as the Assistant Director of Psychology. In this role I wrote
and reviewed plans for the individuals with the most severe
behavioral challenges at SVTC. As SVTC moved toward closure, I
trained providers in general behavioral consultation and on specific
Behavior Support Plans as they were changed to adapt to a
community setting. Currently, I am the ID Director for Crossroads
CSB and write Behavioral Guidelines for staff to use in working with
individuals in our programs. During each job I have had, I have
made it a priority to continue providing PBSF at some level and to
always attend the PBSF forums and stay connected. I have
experience leading various teams toward making decisions and
reaching goals in a time conscious manner. It is this work
experience and dedication to PBSF that I would like to bring to the
Executive Steering Committee.
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