Originally from Ohio, I lived in Florida since 1988 and moved to Colorado in 2014. I have been a Florida Certified Behavior Analyst since 1989 and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2008. I owned and operated a behavioral consulting firm for 14 years, with 30 employees, providing behavior analysis services throughout Florida for individuals with developmental disabilities as well as mental health problems, for both children and adults.
I mainly concentrated on children with developmental disabilities, with a specialization in autism, and individuals who were dually diagnosed. I have experience in clinic and home-based settings, as well as residential and institutional settings. I have worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over 30 years and directed clinical services for several agencies. I have worked in direct care, management, and government. I worked in state government assisting the Senior Behavior Analyst, overseeing behavioral services throughout Florida, including developing regulations in the Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver as well as helping develop regulations regarding the use of restraint and seclusion, oversight and monitoring of behavior analysis services, and residential licensing of group homes.
I have directed clinical services for a number of agencies and have provided direct service to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. I specialize in working with persons with severe problem behaviors. I have a passion for behavior analysis and its value in the lives people with autism and developmental disabilities. I have done research on behavioral procedures and training of behavior analysts. I am also a professional guardian for a young man with a developmental disability and have seen how ABA has had such a positive impact this has had on his quality of life.
I am currently the Chief Operating Officer for Firefly Autism. I have been a part of legislative efforts, here in Colorado, including helping get Medicaid funding for ABA, eliminating caps for HIMAT, and expanding Medicaid Waiver services. I have helped Firefly Autism become a national leader in the ethical and effective, state-of-the-art behavioral services for individuals with autism and related disorders.
