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FREE PDU Event "Doing the Right Thing: Everyday Ethics in ABA Practice"

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:57:36 GMT

Available On-Demand at Behavior Live!

Presented by Denice Rios, PhD, BCBA-D

Earn 1.5 RBT PDUs

Doing the Right Thing: Everyday Ethics in ABA Practice

This professional development event provides Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)® with practical guidance for applying the RBT Ethics Code® to real-world situations encountered across clinical, school, home, and community settings. Participants will examine common ethical dilemmas involving professional boundaries with clients and families, confidentiality challenges when services span multiple environments, and situations that require recognizing and maintaining scope of practice limitations. The event will also address the importance of adhering to behavior intervention plans and avoiding treatment drift that may compromise client outcomes. Through discussion of realistic case scenarios, participants will strengthen their ethical decision-making skills and learn strategies for identifying concerns, seeking appropriate supervision, and maintaining professional and ethical standards in service delivery.

Learning Objectives

Apply relevant sections of the RBT Ethics Code® to analyze and respond to common ethical scenarios encountered in practice.
Identify appropriate professional boundaries with clients, families, and other stakeholders while maintaining effective therapeutic relationships.
Describe confidentiality requirements and determine appropriate actions when confidential information is encountered across school, home, and community settings.
Recognize situations that fall outside the RBT® scope of practice and identify when consultation, supervision, or escalation to a BCBA® is required.
Explain the risks associated with treatment drift and implement strategies to maintain fidelity to behavior intervention plans and supervisory guidance.

Research Study Roundup

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:13:02 GMT

Research Study Roundup

CalABA is pleased to support university-based research projects as part of our ongoing commitment to advancing research in the field of Behavior Analysis.

Below are several research studies currently seeking participants from the Behavior Analysis community. If a study aligns with your area of practice, experience, or expertise, we encourage you to consider participating. Your insights can help inform future research, education, and professional practice while supporting the next generation of researchers.

A Survey of Staff Training and Performance Management Practices: An Update on Behavior Analytic Approaches Since 2020

East Michigan University’s Sophia Sodano, TLLP and Adam Briggs, PhD, BCBA-D are seeking anyone in the ABA field (BCBA, BCBA-D, BCaBA, RBT, behavior technician) to participate in an anonymous online survey about your experiences with training and supervision.

Find more information HERE . Access the survey HERE .

Examining Current Functional Assessment Practices: An Extension of Oliver et al (2015)

Dr. Audrey Hoffman, BCBA-D, LBA of Utah State University is conducting a study to evaluate current functional behavior assessment (FBA) practices being taught and implemented in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Participation is voluntary and involves filling out an anonymous online survey. Participants must hold a BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D certification & must be 18 years or older.

Find more information HERE . Access the survey HERE .

ABA Professional's Case Conceptualizations

At South Carolina’s The Citadel, Jillian Dawes, PhD is working with Graduate Student Researchers Marjorie Ewing and Sadie Underwood, conducting a research study examining how ABA professionals conceptualize behavioral cases. They are inviting practicing ABA professionals to participate in a brief online survey that involves reviewing short case scenarios and answering questions about behavioral conceptualization and intervention recommendations.

Find more information HERE . Access the survey HERE .

NSF I-Corps Program; Clinical Experiences of BCBAs and RBTs Working with Children Who Engage in SIB

Reid Wieczorek, Graduate Research Assistant and his team at South Dakota State University are conducting discovery interviews with BCBAs and RBTs as part of a program put on by the National Science Foundation. They are exploring the clinical landscape around self-injurious behavior (SIB). Interviews will be confidential, voluntary, and 30-minutes or less, and focus on how practitioners manage safety, what tools and resources are available to practitioners, factors that play into assistive or protective equipment recommendations, data used in assessments and interventions for SIB, and any gaps that exist around SIB. Please note, this is not a university sponsored research study; interviews are being conducted for the NSF I-Corps program at South Dakota State University.

Find more information HERE . To schedule an interview, email reid.wieczorek@sdstate.edu , call 605-280-2710, or click HERE .

Research Study Screening Process

Before a study is distributed to our community, it undergoes a screening process conducted by the Professional Standards Chair. As part of this review, researchers are required to submit:

A description of the study, including its purpose and participant eligibility
Recruitment materials and participation information
Documentation of approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or other appropriate ethics review body, when applicable
Contact information for the principal investigator and, for graduate research, the faculty advisor

The Professional Standards Chair reviews these materials to determine whether the study is appropriate for distribution to our membership, considering factors such as its relevance to the profession, alignment with the organization's mission, the appropriateness of the participant population, and the completeness of the submitted documentation.

Approval for distribution indicates that the study has met the CalABA’s criteria for sharing with our community. It does not constitute an endorsement of the study's methodology, findings, or conclusions, nor does it replace the ethical review conducted by the researcher's IRB. Participation is always voluntary, and participants are encouraged to review each study's informed consent information before deciding whether to participate.

Thank you for supporting the research efforts of our colleagues and future professionals.

FREE CEU Event "Public Policy Related to Adult Services"

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:55:31 GMT

Don’t miss this FREE CEU event! (Yes, the CEU is free, too! ��)
Tuesday, July 14th, 12:00 noon PDT

Live online at Behavior Live!

Register Now, watch later!

This event will be recorded and available on-demand for existing registrants.
Register now, and access it live or on-demand for CEUs.

Public Policies Related to Adult Services in CA

California BCBAs are navigating simultaneous shifts in federal and state policy that directly threaten client eligibility for Medi-Cal and impact provider compliance. This one-hour webinar breaks down the four most consequential changes affecting ABA services right now and their impact on adult services. Participants will examine the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), which enacted over $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and introduced work requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations.

The webinar also addresses California's reinstatement of the Medi-Cal asset test that puts many adult clients at risk of losing coverage. BCBAs will review DDS Rate Reform requirements specific to Behavioral Day Programs (Service Code 532), including BCBA oversight minimums and documentation standards. Finally, participants will explore the national wave of HHS OIG audits of Medicaid ABA payments and the compliance risks they signal for California providers. This webinar will provide important information and resources for adult service providers.

Attendees will describe the key Medicaid provisions of H.R. 1 and the reinstated Medi-Cal asset test, and identify adult clients at risk of losing coverage.
Attendees will summarize DDS Rate Reform requirements for Behavioral Day Programs, including minimum BCBA oversight standards and required documentation practices.
Attendees will identify the billing and documentation deficiencies most commonly flagged in HHS OIG audits of Medicaid ABA services and apply this knowledge to assess their own compliance risk.

FREE CEU Event "Systemizing ABA with Ethical AI"

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:47:48 GMT

Don’t miss this FREE CEU event!
Thursday, June 18th, 12:00 noon PDT

Live online at Behavior Live!

Register Now, watch later!

This event will be recorded and available on-demand for existing registrants.
Register now, and access it live or on-demand for CEUs.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in applied behavior analysis service delivery, yet practitioner-level guidance on its ethical and practical implementation remains limited. This workshop addresses that gap by providing ABA business owners, school-based practitioners, and case managers with a structured framework for building and applying custom AI tools to clinical and business workflows.

The presentation is organized around three components. The first establishes the ethical foundation for AI use in ABA, drawing on HIPAA and FERPA requirements, the BACB Ethics Code, and the principles described by Jennings and Cox (2023). Two non-negotiable standards are emphasized: the exclusion of personally identifiable information (PII) from public large language models, and the application of clinical judgment to all AI-generated output. The distinction between PII (e.g., name, contact information, identifiers) and contextual variables permissible for generative language model use (e.g., age, diagnosis) is operationalized for everyday practice.

The second component demonstrates the development and use of custom AI tools built on platforms including Claude, Claude Code, Gemini Gems, and custom GPTs. Examples include a business operations dashboard, a function-based assessment and behavior intervention planner, an IEP goal generator aligned to Common Core standards, and an eLearning platform for continuing education and supervision.

The third component examines the implications of these tools for clinical reasoning. AI is positioned as a thinking partner that supports clinicians in formulating sharper clinical questions, integrating current research into individual client cases, and reducing the practice-to-research gap that has long characterized the field.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will identify or describe the ethical guardrails for AI use in ABA practice, including the PII/PHI distinction, HIPAA/FERPA boundaries, and the human-oversight standard.
Participants will describe or capture how the presenters have used AI beyond more generalized chatbot function.
Participants will state how the presenters used AI to build specific tools and protocols specific to their area of expertise
Participants will apply a build-plan approach to outline how customizable tools or protocols for their specific areas of practice
Participants will evaluate the role of AI as a thinking partner in bridging the practice-to-research gap.

CalABA Public Policy

Fri, 22 May 2026 17:36:48 GMT

Fingerprinting

CalABA is gathering information about fingerprinting practices related to staff hiring, and we want to hear from agency leadership.

�� Please complete the survey or share it with leadership at your agency. Your input will help inform CalABA’s public policy efforts.

⏱️ The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete.

�� CalABA Fingerprinting Survey

Leadership Roundtable – OIG Audits

On May 20, 2026, agency leaders gathered to discuss the recent audits conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG).

What the OIG Audits Examined

State Medicaid (Medi-Cal) compliance with its own policies and procedures
Improper and potentially improper payments made to providers
Compliance and documentation issues—not clinical or medical necessity

�� Special thanks to Health O’Shea, Andi Waks, Chanti Waters, Becky Thompson, Mariel Fernandez, Allyson Moore, Jenna Minton, and many others who contributed their expertise and insights.

OIG Audit Findings Across States

The following audit findings were extrapolated from sampled claims reviewed by the OIG:

These figures are extrapolated estimates based on audit samples reviewed by the OIG.

What Providers Can Do Now

Compliance & Policy Review

Review payor policies, procedures, and contracts
Review Medi-Cal BHT policies and applicable All Plan Letters (APLs)
Review the California State Plan Amendment (SPA) related to ABA/BHT services
Conduct regular internal documentation audits - APBA has a free resource!
Standardize session notes (CASP templates are recommended)

Clinical Documentation Tips

BCBAs/BCaBAs - clearly document your clinical decision-making—even when no program changes occur
Ensure behavior technicians understand session goals and how services connect to the treatment plan

California-Specific Medi-Cal ABA Resources

�� DHCS All Plan Letter (APLs) 23-010 – Guidance issued to Managed Care Plans regarding BHT services
�� DHCS Behavioral Health Treatment Website
�� Behavioral Health Treatment Policy & Coverage Overview
�� California ABA/BHT State Plan Amendment (SPA)

California currently has a pending SPA related to the Fee-for-Service ABA/BHT benefit awaiting CMS approval.

Additional Training & Resources

�� CASP Session Note Templates (available for all through CASP training sessions)
�� CASP Webinar: Show Your Work: Why it Matters to Make Your ABA Session Notes Count
June 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM PST
��️ APBA Public Policy Corner
�� APBA Audit Preparedness Considerations

CASP 2026 Conference Resources

These presentations have been made available for $20 for those who were unable to attend the full conference.

�� OIG Audits of State Medicaid ABA Programs Presented by Lonie Kim and Annie Weber (HHS OIG)
�� Heads Up! The OIG is Paying Attention. Are You Ready? Presented by Andi Waks, Jenna Minton, Mariel Fernandez, and Chanti Fritzsching Waters

CA Budget/May Revise

DHCS Proposed Changes

Utilization Management for Applied Behavior Analysis/Behavioral Health Treatment

CalABA reviewed the Governor’s May Revise Budget proposal and shared concerns with Budget Subcommittee Chairs and legislators regarding a proposed change that would require an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis for individuals aged 5 and older to receive ABA services.

CalABA believes this proposal would:

Restrict access to medically necessary behavioral health treatment
Contradict existing DHCS All Plan Letters
Conflict with:
California Mental Health Parity Law (SB 855)
Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
Federal EPSDT requirements

Proposed Medi-Cal Asset Cap Changes

Although the Governor’s May Revise did not include major ABA funding reductions, it did propose reinstating strict Medi-Cal asset limits beginning January 1, 2027:

From $130,000 → $2,000 for individuals
From $195,000 → $3,000 for couples

These changes could result in many individuals with disabilities and seniors losing access to Medi-Cal and IHSS.

What You Can Do

Contact your local legislators and share concerns about the impact of these proposed changes
Share information about CalABLE accounts with your clients, which allow eligible individuals to save up to $100,000 without jeopardizing state or federal benefits

Save the Date for our Next Roundtable!

July 29th, 2026 at 12 pm

Agency leaders are invited to participate in our next Leadership Roundtable on July 29th at 12 pm PT. We’d love your thoughts on our next topic!

�� Roundtable Date: July 29th, 2026
�� 12:00 - 1:00 pm PT

�� Let us know your interest here (a calendar invitation will be sent as we get closer to the date)

CalABA has a new Executive Director, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Fri, 15 May 2026 15:44:54 GMT

Over the past year and a half, the CalABA Board of Directors conducted a thorough, consultant-guided search to find the right leader for this pivotal moment in our organization's growth. Throughout this process, we assessed our strengths, clarified our vision, and interviewed a competitive field of candidates from across California and beyond. We approached this decision with great care and intention because of its importance to the future of CalABA and the communities we serve. This process reflected our commitment to thoughtful governance, transparency, and long-term organizational success.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the members of the search committee who dedicated countless volunteer hours to this process and engaged in thoughtful strategic decision-making throughout. We would also like to thank the full Board of Directors for their collaboration, diligence, and commitment in making this important decision. Finally, we want to recognize and thank Matt McAlear for his years of service to CalABA and for his support during this transition.

We are delighted to welcome Shirli Driz as CalABA's next Executive Director.

Join us in welcoming Shirli to the CalABA community! We look forward to introducing Shirli more fully to members in the coming months and beginning this exciting new chapter together. Here's to what's ahead! ��

Warm regards,
The CalABA Board of Directors

CalABA Response to Reports on Medicaid Payments for ABA Services

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:52:08 GMT

In recent months, critical reports about payments for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for Medicaid beneficiaries with autism in several states have been issued by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Articles on that topic have also appeared in some media outlets, notably the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). CalABA understands that such scrutiny has been driven in part by large increases in the numbers of ABA Medicaid beneficiaries and providers and the concomitant costs.

We concur with calls for appropriate oversight of ABA services to Medicaid beneficiaries that have been prompted by the OIG and media reports. At the same time, we note that some reports omitted important facts about the contexts in which ABA health care services are delivered. To address those gaps as well as the concerns raised in the reports, CalABA offers the following comments and reminders for journalists, practitioners, consumers, OIG personnel, and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which administers Medi-Cal (our state’s Medicaid program).

CalABA also recognizes the potential for bias in how audits, reports, and media narratives are constructed and interpreted, particularly when examining services delivered within Medicaid systems that disproportionately serve historically marginalized communities. We encourage stakeholders to interpret findings with attention to contextual factors, including population needs, systemic constraints, and variation in service delivery environments.

Read the Full Statement HERE

calaba

FREE PDU Event "Doing the Right Thing: Everyday Ethics in ABA Practice"

Doing the Right Thing: Everyday Ethics in ABA Practice

Research Study Roundup

Research Study Roundup

A Survey of Staff Training and Performance Management Practices: An Update on Behavior Analytic Approaches Since 2020

Examining Current Functional Assessment Practices: An Extension of Oliver et al (2015)

ABA Professional's Case Conceptualizations

NSF I-Corps Program; Clinical Experiences of BCBAs and RBTs Working with Children Who Engage in SIB

Research Study Screening Process

FREE CEU Event "Public Policy Related to Adult Services"

Public Policies Related to Adult Services in CA

FREE CEU Event "Systemizing ABA with Ethical AI"

CalABA Public Policy

Fingerprinting

Leadership Roundtable – OIG Audits

What the OIG Audits Examined

OIG Audit Findings Across States

What Providers Can Do Now ﻿

Compliance & Policy Review

Clinical Documentation Tips

California-Specific Medi-Cal ABA Resources

Additional Training & Resources

CASP 2026 Conference Resources

CA Budget/May Revise

DHCS Proposed Changes

Proposed Medi-Cal Asset Cap Changes

What You Can Do

Save the Date for our Next Roundtable!

July 29th, 2026 at 12 pm

CalABA has a new Executive Director, and we couldn’t be more excited!

CalABA Response to Reports on Medicaid Payments for ABA Services

What Providers Can Do Now