ABAI NEWSFLASH: ABA International Announces Model Licensing Act for Behavior Analysts

This morning the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) announced that posted online at the ABAI website is a new Model Licensing Act for Behavior Analysts. This is the product of a recent large-scale International Strategic Development Survey of stakeholder members in which such a licensure initiative was supported by a strong majority of respondents .

A prefacing article by current ABAI President Raymond G. Miltenberger, Ph.D., BCBA,  describes the background of the purpose, development and content of the Model Licensing Act under the points,

• Why Licensing?
• Risks Associated with Licensure
• How Does Licensure Differ from Certification?
• What is ABAI’s Model Licensing Act?
• What are the Points of Similarity between the BACB® and ABAI Model Acts?
• How do the BACB® and ABAI Model Licensing Acts Differ?
• Rational for Grandfathering Clause
• What are ABAI’s Criteria for Education Requirements?
• How Will ABAI’s Accreditation Program Meet the Needs of Licensed Behavior Analysts?
• What Will ABAI Do for Those Outside of the USA?
• Where Can You Receive Guidance and Support?

This article then links to the Act itself,
ABAI Model Licensing Act for Behavior Analysts

In the article ABAI members are invited to review the Model Licensing Act, and under, "Where Can You Receive Guidance and Support?", information is given on how to give input, if wished, on the Model Licensing Act and to discuss chapter training and presentations support by the ABAI Practice Board.

References or for further reading

The ABAI Model Licensing Act, Educational Standards, and the Protection of the Profession
Raymond G. Miltenberger, Ph.D., BCBA; ABAI President

ABAI Model Licensing Act for Behavior Analysts

Practice (Practice Board and Other Committees)

Practice Resources

ABA International Strategic Plan

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

ABAI NEWSFLASH: Expansion of the Practice Board and Board Member Activities

Expansion of the Practice Board and Board Member Activities

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Practice Board has been very active over the past six months. Membership and the focus of the Board has been expanded; this was done to address issues ABAI members have identified as critical to their support needs in the practice of applied behavior analysis...

Included in this expansion of the Practice Board membership are the following,
 
Chair: Michael  F. Dorsey, Ph.D., BCBA

Committees  and respective committee chairs:

• Governmental  Affairs: Thomas Zane,  Ph.D., BCBA
• Licensing:  Michael Weinberg, Ph.D., BCBA
• Insurance:  Doreen Granpeesheh, Ph.D., BCBA
• Insurance  Billing: Travis Thompson, Ph.D., and Wayne Fisher, Ph.D., BCBA
• Science  to Practice: Jennifer Zarcone, Ph.D., BCBA
• Education:  R. Douglas Greer, Ph.D.
• Practitioner  Hotline: Jon Bailey, Ph.D., BCBA
• Administrators:  Bob Littleton, Ed.D., and Rita Gardner, MPH, BCBA
• Student  Practitioners: Josh Pritchard, MS, BCBA
  

Members of the ABAI Practice Board have attended or are scheduled to attend a number of ABAI affiliated state chapter and related conferences this year, including:

• New Jersey ABA
• Tennessee ABA
• Missouri ABA
• Four  Corners ABA
• The  Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
  
• Autism  New Jersey
• Minnesota Northland ABA
• Texas ABA
• Pennsylvania ABA
• Behavior  Analysis Association of Michigan

Practice Board members are available to present at state conferences on subjects related to practice or to consult with chapters on issues such as the development of state licensing laws or third party insurance billing. Recently, Thomas Zane, Michael Weinberg, and Michael Dorsey were invited to meet with the Board of Directors of New Jersey ABA and consult on the potential development of a state licensing law.

Please feel free to contact the ABAI office to request an appearance or meeting with Practice Board members.

Billing Committee Update

Travis Thompson, Ph.D., Co-Chair of the ABAI Practice Board’s Insurance Billing Committee reported on December 22, 2009 that his committee recently forwarded a "Letter of Intent" to submit a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Billing Code proposal covering ABA services for children diagnosed with Autism to the American Medical Association for consideration. Dr. Thompson noted that a representative from AMA contacted him today and that they confirmed receiving our letter of intent. Further, the AMA representative commented that the AMA thought the committee appropriately involved a cross-section of constituencies and organizations, and they noted that it was a good step that the Chair of the Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (which oversees ADHD and autism) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has offered to assist with the effort. AAP is the major professional organization for all pediatricians. Dr. Thompson noted that the ABAI proposal is anticipated to be submitted to the AMA Committee June 2010. The AMA representative noted that, if our request is acted on favorably at the June 2010 meeting, the new codes could be in place by June 2012.
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Related links and posts:

Practice Resources, ABA International

Sunday, December 20, 2009
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG Blog
December 2009 notes on recent activities of the ABAI Practice Board

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG Blog 
ABAI NEWSFLASH: New Practice Resources at ABA International!

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG

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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

December 2009 notes on recent activities of the ABAI Practice Board

[Note -  This is a reminder that while a Special Interest Group of ABA International, statements of the Practitioner's Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG (PIBA-SIG) do not represent, nor claim to represent,  formal policy of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International (ABAI). The below notice is just a summing up/an FYI of that information currently available publicly on the ABA International website, and readers are encouraged to go to the primary sources for full and definitive information]
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The ABA International newsletter, Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009 reported some interesting and useful updates on developments within ABA International by the ABAI Practice Board.
Inside Behavior Analysis states that this is a followup to an earlier email communication sent to members in September.

Below is a summary of what was reported in the newsletter on Practice Board activities and focus at the current time. Please refer to Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009 for the full article, and consult the Practice Board pages at ABA International.

Insurance coverage

• Two new committees are in development to assist practitioners with insurance billing questions.
• An insurance summit is planned for the national convention in San Antonio bringing together representatives of ABAI, the BACB, insurance companies, Autism Speaks, and other advocacy groups.
  

Licensure

• Descriptions are given of state licensure acts that have already passed and initiatives in progress or proposed, as well as progress on a model licensing act

Governmental affairs

• Members of the Practice Board have been meeting with some of the affiliated chapters to assist with governmental advocacy, and will be expanding in the future to international efforts.
• Information is given on members of the Practice Board to contact should an affiliated chapter or organization be considering bills that would affect practitioners of behavior analysis
  

Affiliated Chapter support

• A full-day session for affiliated chapter training is being planned to immediately precede the ABAI Autism Conference in Chicago on Friday, January 22, 2010. 
• Another meeting for all affiliated chapters of ABAI is planned for the 2010 Annual Convention in San Antonio
  

A New Practitioner Hotline

• A practitioner hotline has been created to give access to consultation services and advice to behavior analysis practitioners on pressing professional issues.
  

Agency Management

• A committee is forming for those behavior analysts who have positions of responsibility in the private or public sector as CEO/COO of large agencies, Special Education Director or in service to school boards or state committees. The purpose of this committee is provide a forum for ABAI members in such roles and to provide a mentor service for new to such positions. 
• There is currently an invitation offered for those who would be interested in participation on such a committee
  

Task Forces

• Position Statements
• A task force with joint participation of the Science and Practice Boards has been formed on the question of seclusion and restraint. The charge of the task force is to develop and recommend a position statement on the appropriate use of restraint and seclusion to be submitted to ABAI Full Members for consideration.
  

• Code of Ethics
• A task force is currently being assembled to study the implications of revising a code of ethics for behavior analysts that will represent and support scientists and researchers, educators, and practitioners.

Higher Education Accreditation and improvements

• Various initiatives are in progress, headed by the ABAI Education Board, to develop or improve criteria related to higher education standards in the training of behavior analysts.
  

For other updates, also see the below pages of which may contain additional details or elaborations of the above summaries, and additional information, such as contact people and Board Members within ABA International,

A Letter From the ABAI President
By Raymond G. Miltenberger, Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009

Practice Board Page at ABA International,

Practice Resources page at ABA International
Which has news you can use in aid of advocacy on a variety of issues, and the formal Position Statements of ABA International

ABAI Education Board
By Charles T. Merbitz, Inside Behavior Analysis 1(2), December 2009

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG

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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

 

ABAI NEWSFLASH: New Practice Resources at ABA International!

During the Annual Convention in Phoenix, there were many meetings on the question of practice, and related issues of advocacy, potential licensure, as well as presentations on the state of practice and relevant developments, such as the current spate of autism insurance reform bills.

One of the new developments is a slew of resources for practitioners, listed on the Practice Resources page at the ABA International website,
http://www.abainternational.org/BA/practice.asp

Although members are urged to review as much of the page as is possible, I want to highlight a few items of note,

"New Services for ABAI affiliated chapters and organizational members",
http://www.abainternational.org/BA/practice/Malott-Services.pdf

To clarify informally--formal questions should go to ABAI, the reference on page 3, "Training is complimentary", refers to the One Day Training for Chapters, with reduced fees for those Chapter reps who choose to stay over in Chicago for the Autism Conference itself.

Under the Licensing category, see

Raymond Fowler's Discussion on Licensure to ABAI Affiliated Chapter and SIG Leaders
http://www.abainternational.org/BA/practice/Fowler-Licensure.pdf

and some resources for advocacy,

Legistlative Advocacy Handbook

Legistlative Advocacy PowerPoint

As previously stated, take the time to get acquainted with the new resources and opportunities developed during the previous year and shared at the Convention!

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

ABA-I NEWSFLASH: Meeting change for the PIBA-SIG at ABA Conference, Phoenix

UPDATE: 5/5/09--See this post for the newest info on the content of the joint meeting of the GAC and the PIBA-SIG. The agenda will be discussion of legislative priorities, and members are requested to submit legislation and other policy priorities in advance of the meeting on May 23, 2009. The below info on the meeting place and time still applies.

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This afternoon the President of the PIBA-SIG, Mike Weinberg, Ph.D, BCBA-D, announced that there's a change from our original meeting place and format at the ABA International annual conference in Phoenix.

Those who are participants, or would like to be participants, in the PIBA-SIG are invited to attend the joint meeting of the SIG and the Governmental Affairs Committee of the new ABA International Practice Board

This joint meeting is scheduled for

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 7:30 - 8:20p.m.
New meeting place: North 224A
(this is the venue under #103 Business Meeting, ABAI Governmental Affairs Committee).

Topics of discussion are common interests and how the PIBA-SIG and the Practice Board can work together to achieve our objectives and goals.

We will also be able to hold elections and vote on some other issues that are critical to the future of the field of applied behavior analysis.

This is an exciting opportunity that many are encouraged to attend. Please pass this information along to any who might be interested.

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

ABA-I NEWSFLASH & ACTION: Shout-out for Legislative and Policy News from the ABA-I Governmental Affairs Committee

The Governmental Affairs Committee of the Practice Board of ABA International could use the help of all members in keeping up what's going on around the nation legislatively and relating to policy matters relevant to the interests of behavior analysts and the practice of behavior analysis.

From the inaugural newsletter Spring 2009, (pdf)

Submissions:
We are always interested to hear what is going on in your part of the world. Please submit legislative information and other topics of interest to us at the email address below. We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact Us! abaipracticeboardGAC@gmail.com

So please take a minute to drop them a line and let them know what's going on in your state or other legislative events of interest.

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More about the

Governmental Affairs Committee, ABA International Practice Board

Mission: To represent the interests of practicing applied behavior analysts in governmental matters at both the Federal and state level.

The Committee educates, advises, and advocates for the professional interests of ABAI members and protects the constituencies served by them with respect to legislative issues that directly affect members' professional practice.

Committee Members

CHAIR: Michael Dorsey, The Vinfen Corporation and Gordon College
Eric J. Billington, AmeriChoice
R. Wayne Fuqua, Western Michigan University
Megan Guidi, Vinfen Corporation
Amy L. Kenzer, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.
Jonathan Tarbox, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.
Thomas Zane, The Center for Applied Behavior Analysis at The Sage Colleges

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

2009 Bills Proposing Licensure of Behavior Analysts

CORRECTION: 5/28/09: The bill passed and signed in Oklahoma was SB 135, which was a mirror bill of HB 2027.
UPDATE: 5/4/09--Oklahoma HB 2027 is reported as signed into law by Governor Henry. Creates training program and licensing for BACB certificants.

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View Licensure of behavior analysts in a larger map

For further reading,

ABAI's Commitment to Licensing of Applied Behavior Analysts
By Dr. Michael Weinberg, Ph.D.
ABA International Newsletter, 31(3), Fall 2008

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
Licensing of Applied Behavior Analysts
at the ABA International website

and Licensing page (resources & info) at the PIBA-SIG website

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

Introduction to the PIBA-SIG Blog

Greetings,
This is the future home of the Blog of the Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group (PIBA-SIG) of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Our plan is to post news items and comment pieces on legislation and other matters related to the practice of behavior analysis, of interest to practitioners and within the mission of the PIBA-SIG. As a Special Interest Group, while under the umbrella of ABA International, the PIBA-SIG does not represent official policy of ABA International, and is rather, an interested group of members engaged in highlighting external and internal events relevant to the practice and profession of behavior analysis, engaging in discussion of these, and working on projects with an eye to assisting and collaborating with other SIGs and the larger organization in its goals for meeting the needs of practioners and establishment of behavior analysis as a profession.

Our Mission

As applied behavior analysis forms into a profession it is logically developing challenges uniquely related to the practice of behavior analysis in systems such as education, mental health, manufacturing, social services, and developmental disabilities. This SIG is dedicated to the establishment of behavior analysis as a unique clinical practice. We support federal, local and state initiatives including but not limited to the licensing of behavior analysis

While we're setting up our blog, we would like to direct your attention to the links in the sidebar to the description of the PIBA SIG at ABA International, our website, the Practice Resources within ABA International, and our related discussion group at Yahoo!, where we invite interested members of ABA International who are in clinical practice, organizational behavior management, or social services, consumers of those services and/or interested in policymaking and professional licensure to join the group and become members.

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org