Quality Improvement Team

Clinical Training

In addition to the on-the-job training that our clinicians regularly receive, we have developed 24 training modules in the Central Reach Learning Management System over the past three years. The topics range from basic behavior change procedures (e.g., shaping, prompting, discrete trial teaching, etc.) to more complex ones (e.g., rule-governed behavior, complex verbal behavior, etc.). Other trainings include assessments frequently used in the field (e.g., VB-MAPP; PEAK, etc.). Clinical staff can access these trainings whenever they want or have a need for them. Our clinicians can also obtain CEUs after successful completion of each training.

Visual Analysis of Data

The field of ABA relies heavily on the use of visual analysis of data to make treatment decisions such as when to initiate an intervention and when to modify or terminate it. This is a complex skill that requires careful and sustained training to acquire and master. Over the past three years, we have developed a systematic approach to training our clinicians on how to analyze visually line graphs. This type of work has allowed us to present a poster at the 2024 ABAI convention. In addition, we plan to expand this training to help our clinicians make appropriate and timely treatment decisions.

Meet Our Team

Juan Lopez , Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBS

Associate Director of Quality Improvement

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Dr. Lopez has over twenty years of experience working with individuals with autism and their caregivers. He earned his Ph.D. in the fields of applied behavior analysis and education at the University of Kansas. Dr. Lopez has worked at recognized national and international organizations in the ABA field. After working as direct care staff for a few years, he became the lead clinician at a couple of residential school programs. Most recently, he was the clinical director at a local home-based program serving individuals with ASD. Dr. Lopez has a special interest in stimulus control and staff development. His professional mission is to provide high quality behavior analytic services to individuals with behavioral needs, their caregivers, and those who support them.

View Juan’s Curriculum Vitae

Valerie LaCerra , MA, BCBA, LBS

Advanced Trainer And Advisor

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Valerie LaCerra is a PFA/SBT Trainer at Behavior Interventions and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 10 years of experience in the field of behavior interventions and disabilities. She received graduate training in Applied Behavior Analysis at the Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg, where she studied and practiced under Dr. Richard Foxx in the treatment of severe behavior. Her research at Penn State focused on the Pennsylvania adult services regulations with regard to the use of ABA techniques with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism, and she has experience with advocating for the rights of adults with disabilities. While she has clinical experience with a range of different topics, methods, and age groups, she specializes in the treatment of severe behavior using Practical Functional Assessment and Skills-Based Training (PFS/SBT), and has consulted with Gregory Hanley’s team (FTF Behavioral Consulting) in order to achieve this. Valerie LaCerra currently works for Behavior Interventions, Inc., as a PFA/SBT Trainer in order to advance the values of compassionate care within her organization and the field of Applied Behavior Analysis as a whole.

View Valerie’s Curriculum Vitae

Quality Improvement Team

Meet Our Team

Stay Up to Date