Tina DeSouza

Tina DeSouza, Behavior Services Director
OIS Steering Committee Member
and Mentor Instructor
[email protected]

BEHAVIOR TRAINING AND STRATEGIES

Opportunity Foundation has been providing behavioral support for individuals with disabilities since 1965. Our team of highly trained specialists are experts in creating positive, person-centered plans  and environments so individuals with disabilities can live more fulfilling, independent and inclusive lives.  

Please contact Tina DeSouza, Behavior Services Director, at [email protected] for more information

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TRAINING

Training Classes We Offer:

Behavior Strategies Training
This is a class for anyone who wants to understand, prevent, and respond to challenging behavior. 

Parent OIS Classes
One day course for parents and siblings of those who experience a disability,

OIS General and Individual Focus
2 day (12 hour) Course for families and professionals needing to be certified to work with those with a disability or needing information on how to best support people with disabilities.

Sensitivity Training
(Employers, General Public)
History of Opportunity Foundation, how to use person first language, how inclusion enhances your work environment.

Oregon Intervention System Training (OIS)
OIS is a statewide training developed and researched at the University of Oregon and other institutions of higher learning on how to understand, prevent and respond to challenging behavior.
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This training includes but is not limited to:

• Information about how behavior affects us all, and meets a need for the person.
• Assessment skills for identifying the messages behind challenging behaviors
• Ways to work through power struggles, conflict, and stress.
• Safe and effective responses for supporting someone who engages in challenging behaviors, including specific physical intervention and escape techniques.

BEHAVIOR SUPPORT

We can tailor and personalize training to your specific needs

• Crisis Strategies for Challenging Behavior
• Skill Building
• De-escalation Techniques
• Creating Schedules
• Environmental Arrangements
• Writing Social Stories
• Positive Behavior Support Training

Meet Our Behavior Support Team

Tina DeSouza

Tina DeSouza is a Behavior Professional who holds a degree in Psychology and Speech Therapy. She is a certified Oregon Intervention System (OIS) Mentor Trainer. She has over 20 years working with children and adults who experience challenging behavior and in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral interventions. Tina is passionate about bridging gaps in cross system services, inclusive communities and helping families to be successful in their parenting journey. In her free time she enjoys skiing, hiking, kayaking in beautiful Central Oregon with her friends and family.

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Cierra Scurlock

Cierra Scurlock has a degree in Sociology from The University of Oregon and has worked for the Opportunity Foundation since 2009. She is a certified Mentor OIS instructor and independent instructor. She specializes in providing behavior supports for adults and children with intellectual/developmental disabilities. When she isn’t providing positive behavior supports, she is singing, taking pictures or enjoying the outdoors.

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Stephanie Hunter

Stephanie Hunter is a Behavior Professional/OIS Mentor Trainer with over 20 years experience in the field. She has been working with children & adults that experience disability and co-occurring mental health needs for 21 years, with over 14 years providing behavior consultation and mentor-ship throughout the State. She started her career as a direct support professional, skills trainer, and program administrator before settling into providing behavior professional services. She is wholeheartedly passionate about helping people in crisis situations, centering diverse and under-represented voices, and supporting all families and people that experience disability to feel safe, respected, and included. She is passionate about “meeting people where they are at” and developing individualized supports that work for everyone involved. She lives in Redmond with her family and enjoys coffee, reading, thrift shopping with her daughter, binge-watching TV, and getting involved with community service projects.

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Kelli Marshall

Kelli Marshall has a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Oregon State University and a Master of Education in Special Education from Boston University.  She was a Special Education Teacher for 22 years and has experience working with young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors.  She enjoys quilting/sewing, reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.