James M. Kling

James Kling has been actively working in the field of behavioral psychology for over twenty years. Mr. Kling received his M.A. in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University.

Mr. Kling has been concerned about the increasing numbers of children not effectively responding to traditional behavior modification methods, he founded Alternative Teaching, Inc. and developed the Fair but Firm Model in 1996. Since then, Mr. Kling has specialized in “treatment resistant” children and adolescents, and is often contacted after repeated severe behavioral disruptions and when traditional methods have been unsuccessful.

Mr. Kling’s Fair But Firm in-home service program is designed to work with youth exhibiting behavioral problems such as disrespect, defiance, verbal and physical aggression truancy, and an ongoing refusal to comply with instructions from parents or teachers.

Most of the children he works with have already been identified by service providers because they may have been psychiatrically hospitalized multiple times, have had several police contacts, have experienced years of therapy and medication with minimal or no effect, and/or have received numerous suspensions or expulsions from school. Mr. Kling provides alternative methods of communication and behavior toward the child for all members of the family, thus creating a new family dynamic that can help improve life together in the home.

Mr. Kling’s most recent work was the adaptation of his Fair but Firm Model for group homes that serve an adolescent population with serious behavioral and interpersonal problems. His program provides a non-confrontational approach to behavior management together with a framework for programmatic activities. Utilization of the Fair but Firm program has resulted in dramatic positive changes in behavior of the youth involved in the Program. This increase in positive behaviors provided less disruption in the home. The calmer atmosphere in the home allowed staff to be more effective when teaching life skills and illness management.

Mr. Kling provides comprehensive training in effective behavior management techniques to foster parents, foster care, residential, and group home staff, post-adoption families, and school personnel. His personal interactive method has earned him an excellent reputation for his ability to teach and demonstrate key learning concepts.

 

Ric Shanks

Ric has spent most of his professional career working and managing residential treatment facilities and Transitional Living Programs (TLP). Ric uses these skills when working with families and agencies throughout Illinois. Over the past several years Ric has been working with Alternative Teaching to provide stability in the homes of families and agencies.

In 2009, Ric worked alongside the youth care workers at an agency to implement the Fair but Firm program. Ric's patience and understanding of the model allowed him to successfully mold the staff to implement the program. Through Ric's efforts the staff's satisfaction surveys doubled in score and the workers enjoyed coming to work again knowing they now had effective tools to help change the lives of the youth in their program. It is through honesty, empathy and a sincere drive that has helped Ric become an invaluable asset to our agency. Since then he has helped numerous families and agencies make real-life changes in their lives by educating them in the use of the Fair but Firm model.

Ric has managed a residential treatment program at Scott Nolan Psychiatric Hospital and has an intimate understanding of the hospital culture. This knowledge has helped many families that had to navigate the hospital system in order to produce the most effective stays. Ric often speaks about the limitations of psychiatric hospital settings and uses his expertise to help the families maximize their experiences.

Richard (Ric) Shanks has worked with children that exhibit behavioral difficulties for over twelve years. Ric received his B.A. in Youth Ministry from Trinity International University on a football scholarship. Ric's history as a power-lifter is in stark contrast to the gentleness and encouragement he brings to families.