APBA Roll-Out

The BACB is pleased to provide the following two documents for your information:  a unified statement of mutual support between three major behavior analysis organizations, and an announcement containing details on a new organization that will provide support for BACB certificants.  I am sure you will agree that these are exciting times for professional behavior analyst practitioners and the field of behavior analysis.

Gerald L. Shook, PhD, BCBA: BACB Chief Executive Officer

 MEETING THE PRACTICE NEEDS OF BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

From its inception in the work of B. F. Skinner and his colleagues and students, the field of Behavior Analysis has grown and evolved.  Applied Behavior Analysis’ emergence many years ago from the field’s scientific foundations heralded promising opportunities for answering questions of social significance.  In the ensuing decades, the world has directly benefited from applications of behavior analysis science, and the field has seen applied researchers and practitioners progress toward ever more diverse challenges and areas of service, including that of the professionalization of direct practice.

The growth and diversification of Behavior Analysis over the years requires corresponding changes in organizational support.  The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), as the founding international organization of the field, develops, enhances, and supports the growth and vitality of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice, and has evolved in many ways to serve the diverse needs of behavior analysts.  The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB) emerged in 1998 to develop international standards of training, credentialing, and practice for professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis.  These organizations have now been joined by the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), which has been established to focus on the increasing needs of BACB-credentialed professionals, to include improved representation and influence with governmental agencies, legislative bodies, and the media.

These three organizations, ABAI, BACB, and APBA, are pleased to announce their mutual support and intent for collaboration in serving the array of interests and needs of the field of Behavior Analysis.  We recognize the complementary roles of these organizations, as well as the need for cooperation to enhance the field’s strength and effectiveness.  The organizations are communicating to coordinate various activities for the benefit of each organization and their collective constituencies and are excited by the growing opportunities to serve the field.

Association for Behavior Analysis, International

            Janet Twyman, President

 Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.

            Judy Favell, President

 Association of Professional Behavior Analysts

            Jim Johnston, President

 

ANNOUNCING

THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS

What is APBA?

The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is a new organization with the primary mission of serving the needs of BACB credentialed professional behavior analyst practitioners.  Its mission is

  • To represent the interests of BACB-credentialed professional behavior analysts
  • To provide support and resources to BACB-credentialed professional behavior analysts
  • To work with federal, state, governmental, and third party entities to enhance recognition of BACB-credentialed professional behavior analysts
  • To work with federal, state, governmental, and third party entities to support the needs of BACB-credentialed professional behavior analysts
  • To provide education opportunities to BACB-credentialed professional behavior analysts
  • To provide resources to professionals in other fields and to consumers of behavior analytic services concerning the practice of applied behavior analysis
  • To bring professionals, consumers, and vendors together at national and regional meetings
  • To support improvements in and access to services provided by BACB credentialed professional behavior analysts
  • To promote public understanding of the professional practice of behavior analysis.

The APBA is being established as a nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The following individuals serve as founding Directors:

  • Jon Bailey, Ph.D., BCBA, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Judy Favell, Ph.D., BCBA (BACB Liaison)
  • Richard Foxx, Ph.D., BCBA
  • Gina Green, Ph.D., BCBA
  • Jim Johnston, Ph.D., BCBA, President
  • Ray Romanczyk, Ph.D., BCBA
  • Dennis Russo, Ph.D., ABPP
  • Jerry Shook, Ph.D., BCBA (BACB Liaison)

The APBA is a membership organization.  There are multiple classes of membership, affiliation, and sponsorship.  BACB-credentialed members must hold a current certification issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.  Other classes of membership do not require certification.  In addition, organizations may be affiliates or sponsors.

Why APBA?

The professionalization of applied behavior analysis in recent years has emerged from a number of influences.  An accumulating research base has continued to improve the field’s capabilities.  Other professions, public and private service providers, and the culture at large have become more aware of the capabilities of this science-based technology.  A growing demand for effective intervention for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders has driven more consumers and employers to seek behavior analytic services.  Colleges and universities have responded to these demands by establishing professional training programs.                                               

The formation of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB) in 1998 has played a major role in this professionalization movement.  Its development of educational and training standards and a credentialing process has defined what it means to be a professional behavior analyst.  Consumers of services now have an identifiable indicator of quality when choosing providers.  Employers now have a means of identifying individuals who meet these standards, and demand for those holding BACB credentials has increased.  Governmental agencies and insurance companies are now recognizing these credentials.

Although the demand may never be satisfied by the supply of BACB-credentialed professionals, this cadre is growing rapidly.  There are approximately 5,300 BACB certificants at present, and this number swells by about 1,000 each year.  Not surprisingly, more than 95% of certificants retain their credential each year.  Roughly 80% of these individuals graduate from programs offering BACB approved course sequences, and the recent growth in college and university programs (now at 167) shows no sign of abating.   

The increasing number of BACB-credentialed practitioners, together with recognition of and demand for their services, has both highlighted longstanding needs associated with professional practice in this field and created new ones.  Perhaps the central issue is assuring the right of credentialed behavior analysts to practice independently of other professions.  Other needs central to professional interests include

  • Increasing recognition and support for BACB credentials
  • Increasing the number of qualified behavior analyst practitioners
  • Monitoring and influencing state, provincial, national, and international legislation
  • Influencing actions of regulatory agencies
  • Improving representation of the field in the media
  • Supporting the formation and strengthening of state, provincial, and national professional organizations
  • Increasing the number of universities training behavior analyst practitioners
  • Increasing resources (such as liability insurance) available to practitioners

These needs are explicitly professional in nature and meeting them requires an organization focused on professional interests.  Other organizations in behavior analysis are appropriate for other purposes.  The Association for Behavior Analysis International includes basic and applied researchers as well as practitioners, and its annual convention brings those interests together.  However, it has become clear that the rapid growth of the professional sector of the field demands the formation of an organization with the primary mission of serving professional needs.

These needs can only be effectively addressed with the capabilities and resources of an organization that is national (and eventually international) in its reach.  Although state and provincial organizations play a critical role in supporting professional interests, representation of the field’s interests at a national level requires an organization that can bring the resources of a national membership to this focus.  Only a national professional organization can speak with the imprimatur of a national membership.  A national organization can pursue the collective interests of state and provincial organizations with organizations representing other professions, with federal agencies, and through the political process.

Although the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. is an international organization concerned with professional interests, it is prohibited from focusing on professional interests, beyond its 501(c)(3) tax exemption status.  In fact, credentialing bodies such as the BACB, Inc. are usually adjuncts to professional organizations, which serve the full array of interests of their credentialed professional members.

What Will APBA Do?

In the upcoming months the APBA will focus on developing core functions, including

  • Developing its initial web site
  • Publishing an electronic newsletter
  • Soliciting members, affiliates, and sponsors
  • Coordinating with other behavior analysis organizations
  • Establishing an affiliation program for state, provincial, regional, and national behavior analysis organizations
  • Developing resources for professional members, including liability insurance options
  • Planning a national convention
  • Approving and coordinating BACB Approved Continuing Education (ACE) providers
  • Developing resources for state and provincial organizations
  • Addressing policy, legislative, regulatory, funding, and public relations issues at a national (and eventually international) level

How Will APBA Interface With Other Organizations?

The APBA is an independent organization.  However, its mission is closely related to the interests of other organizations in the field of behavior analysis.  Because the APBA will focus on supporting the needs of BACB-credentialed professionals, for example, it will work closely with the BACB.  In addition, APBA is communicating with ABAI to coordinate various activities for the benefit of each organization and their members.  The APBA will also build cooperative relationships with other organizations associated with the field of behavior analysis, as well as those in related fields.  Finally, one of the major initiatives of the APBA will involve developing close and supportive relationships with regional, state, and provincial organizations serving professionals in applied behavior analysis.

Be sure to visit APBAhome.net for future updates

and membership, affiliation, and sponsorship information



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