PBIS for Families

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, tiered framework developed and implemented with the purpose of improving behavior, social, and academic outcomes for children and youth. Ohio schools and districts are required to implement the PBIS framework as a proactive approach to address school discipline and create positive, predictable, and safe environments for all students. 

Effective PBIS implementation requires schools and families to engage in meaningful, two-way communication. Schools share information about expectations, discipline policies, and positive reinforcement systems. Families can provide feedback and contribute ideas to support PBIS policy and ongoing implementation. Families can support their student’s positive behavior and school PBIS implementation effectiveness in many ways, such as: 

• Talk to your student about their school expectations and how they are demonstrated.  

• Ask your student to share examples of how they received acknowledgement for their choices and actions at school. 

• Ask your student about the school reward system and what motivates them.  

• Encourage your student to talk about what school expectations, routines, or rules they find challenging and what support they need to be successful. 

• Talk to your student’s teacher(s) in person, via phone or email, or at scheduled Parent Teacher Conferences about how they support student behavior and establish communication preferences around giving and receiving both positive and negative information about your student’s behavior.  

• Review the school discipline policy and procedures provided in the school handbook and if you have questions connect with school administrators for additional information. 

Implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports at Home

The PBIS framework also has many aspects that can be implemented at home. When students experience common language around behavior and expectations at school and at home, it can have a positive impact on behavior in both settings. The following are some examples of how PBIS can be implemented at home: 

• Set Routines: Most children thrive when they have routines and structure. Schools set specific routines for students to follow during the day and families can use school-like routines with their children at home. 
• ​Set Home Expectations: Schools have visuals and language around desired behaviors, including a description of how those behaviors will look in various settings. Families can use the expectations adapted for their home. Schools may have examples on their website, or families can ask your child’s teacher or principal for a template or ideas for incorporating PBIS at home. 

• Teach, Remind, and Reward Expected Behaviors with Positive Feedback:  PBIS requires schools to explicitly teach expected behaviors, provide students the opportunity to practice behaviors, and deliver positive feedback and reinforcement when students demonstrate the desired behaviors. Families can do this by having conversations around home expectations and what that behavior looks, sounds and feels like. Providing corrections, opportunities to try again, and positive feedback when successful are effective strategies to improve behavior. 

If you have questions about your school’s Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support policy or how you can support PBIS implementation at home, please contact your school administrator(s). 

Resource Documents

• PBIS Family Engagement Resources
• Center on PBIS | Resource: Supporting Families with PBIS at Home 
• ​Center on PBIS | Resource: Positive Solutions for Families: Eight Practical Tips for Parents of Young Children with Challenging Behavior 

Additional Information

• Ohio State Support Teams
• Parents | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce 
• ​Getting Involved with your Child's Learning | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce 
• Ohio Restraint, Seclusion, and PBIS 
• ​Anti-Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Resources

Last Modified: 1/14/2025 3:57:31 PM

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