Parent training is not the consolation prize in Bergen County

A practical guide for Bergen County families on parent training in ABA therapy, with NJ-specific steps, forms, and contacts.

Published September 1, 2026 · Bergen County, New Jersey

What parent training really means for your child's ABA

If you have been told that parent training is a second choice or a backup option, that is not true. In Bergen County, parent training is a core part of applied behavior analysis. It is not a consolation prize. It is a research backed way to extend therapy into the hours when a provider is not in your home. This article walks you through the concrete steps to get parent training covered in New Jersey, using the systems that actually exist here.

Start with the right system for your child's age

New Jersey divides services by age. If your child is under 3, you call the New Jersey Early Intervention System. If your child is 3 through 21, you go through PerformCare, the single access point for the Children's System of Care. Do not call the wrong one. You will waste time. For a child under 3, ask the Early Intervention service coordinator about including parent training in the Individualized Family Service Plan. For a child 3 or older, ask PerformCare about an in person or telehealth parent training component in the behavioral health assessment.

Parent training is a billable service in NJ Medicaid and most plans

NJ FamilyCare, the state Medicaid and CHIP program, covers parent training as a distinct ABA service. So do the managed care plans: Horizon NJ Health, Wellpoint, Aetna Better Health of NJ, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. If you have private insurance, check your plan's ABA benefit. The key is to ask for a specific parent training code. The standard code is 0362T (parent training without the child present) or 0363T (with the child present). Your BCBA should know these. If they do not, ask them to look up the New Jersey Medicaid fee schedule for ABA. That schedule lists parent training as a separate line item.

Who to ask for parent training in your child's treatment plan

In Bergen County, the person to ask is your child's Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The BCBA writes the treatment plan. You have the right to request that parent training be included as a goal with a specific number of hours per month. Do not accept a vague promise. Ask for a written addendum to the plan that states: the number of parent training sessions per month, the format (in person or video), and the skills you will learn. Typical skills include: prompting strategies, reinforcement schedules, data collection, and handling challenging behavior. If the BCBA hesitates, remind them that the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's ethics code requires that parent training be considered when appropriate.

How to get parent training authorized by your insurance

Insurance companies often require a separate authorization for parent training. In New Jersey, the process is the same as for direct therapy. You or your provider submits a request for prior authorization. The request must include the treatment plan with the parent training goals. If the insurance denies it, you have the right to an internal appeal. If that fails, you can request an external review through the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Do not give up after one denial. Many families in Bergen County have succeeded on appeal. The key is to document everything: the BCBA's recommendation, the research on parent training effectiveness, and the fact that it is a covered service under your plan.

What if your child is over 21?

After age 21, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) handles services. DDD does not typically fund ABA, but it does fund behavioral supports that can include parent training. Contact your DDD case manager and ask about the Supports Program or the Community Based Supports program. You may need a new assessment. The process is slower, but parent training is still an option. Ask for a behavior support plan that includes training for you.

Bergen County has providers close to you

Every town in Bergen County has an ABA provider within 7 miles. 45 of the 70 municipalities have a provider registered in the town itself. The towns with the most providers are Hackensack (12), Montvale (9), Fair Lawn (8), Englewood (6), Mahwah (5), and Teaneck (5). That means you can find a BCBA who is willing to include parent training. If one provider says no, call another. You have options.

Concrete steps to take this week

1. Find your child's age appropriate entry point. Under 3: call Early Intervention. 3 to 21: call PerformCare. Over 21: call DDD.
2. Ask your BCBA for a parent training addendum. Request a specific number of hours per month and a list of skills to be taught.
3. Check your insurance plan. Call the member services number and ask: "Is parent training with code 0362T or 0363T covered under my ABA benefit?"
4. If denied, file an appeal. Use the New Jersey internal appeal process first. Then external review through the state.
5. If you are on NJ FamilyCare, call your managed care plan. Ask for the ABA care manager. Tell them you want parent training included in the treatment plan.

Acknowledge what is uncertain

No one can guarantee that every insurance plan will approve parent training on the first try. The number of authorized hours varies. Some BCBAs may not have experience with parent training. You may need to educate them. That is okay. You are not alone. The New Jersey Department of Health and the state's ABA task force have published guidance documents. Search for "New Jersey ABA parent training guidance" online. You will find a PDF that explains the rules. Print it and bring it to your next meeting.

Parent training is not a consolation prize. It is a tool that gives you the skills to help your child every day. In Bergen County, you have the providers, the insurance coverage, and the systems to make it happen. Start with one phone call this week.