About the Instutute for Applied Behavior

Corporate Office Address:
5777 W. Century Blvd. Suite 675
Los Angeles, CA 90045 USA

Co-founded in 1981 by Dr. Gary W. LaVigna and Dr. Thomas J. Willis, The Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis (IABA) provides behavior management services, supported employment, supported living and supported educational services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Southern California. IABA is committed to providing the most advanced and highest possible quality services in support of people with challenging behavior. Our goal is to assure the highest quality of life possible for the people we serve by enabling them to live regular lives in natural settings with full, positive and valued community presence and participation.

In addition to the support services provided in the US, IABA has become an internationally recognized source for training and consultation in the areas of positive, person-centered behavioral support, instructional strategies and total quality assurance systems. Since 1987, professional training programs to advance positive practices in the field of challenging behavior have been presented to audiences in 8 countries on 3 continents.

STEP: A Behavioral Day Activity Service

In 1985 IABA established STEP. It is the philosophy of STEP that a person with a developmental disability is entitled to live his or her life with the full dignity of a developing human being, as a self-reliant and productive member of society. Specifically, STEP offers individualized services toward the goal of independent and productive living and working in the community. STEP adheres to a strictly nonaversive behavior support philosophy. STEP was acknowledged as one of the seven "outstanding integrative employment agencies" in the United States in a federal grant project funded through the University of North Carolina in 1992.

STEP is a community-based behavior training and day activity service for adults with developmental disabilities, including mental retardation and autism. STEP currently provides services to over 270 individuals in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties in California with a staff/consumer ratio of one staff member to three consumers, one to two, or one to one depending on individual needs. STEP provides a six-hour service day, which entails community integration and paid and/or volunteer work. Community integration involves increasing the person's participation in his/her home or work neighborhood in places such as stores, restaurants, banks, libraries, colleges, and recreational centers. STEP also provides services to increase participants' self advocacy and social skills and to decrease behavior problems that might interfere with an individual's quality of life. Teaching takes place at local area businesses where the participants work, as well as social and recreational places. Integrated volunteer experiences also are available at local non-profit agencies where many other community members volunteer their time. Employment opportunities include direct pay entry-level positions in food service, manufacturing, office, or retail settings. Training on the job is done individually or in small groups. Natural supports, or relying on the regular people and patterns of the workplace for training, feedback, and evaluations, are facilitated whenever possible.

For STEP employment opportunities, e-mail your résumé to Employment@IABA.com or call the IABA Job Opportunity Line toll free: (877) 924-2220

Social/Community Integration and Participation (SCIP)

Since 1990, Social/Community Integration and Participation (SCIP) was established to provide supported living services for adults who are age 18 or older. IABA has been providing supported living services since 1989. Currently, there are approximately 100 individuals receiving this service in both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California. Individuals receiving SCIP services have required different levels of support ranging from 3 to 4 hours a week to 24 hours a day depending on their needs. At IABA, we believe that everyone has a right to live in their own home and receive the best and most suitable support possible. We do not believe in continuum of services and therefore reject the idea of "one must be ready" before moving in to their own home.

SCIP participants are assisted to find a suitable apartment and compatible roommate when desired. Based on a supported living assessment and a behavior assessment (when applicable) the prospective person will receive individualized support and will have ample teaching opportunities that either take place at the person's apartment and/or in the community. These teaching opportunities are provided by the person's support staff. SCIP is unique in that services are not time limited. Some people therefore may always need some level of help to do, for example, their budgeting or to control their behavioral problems. These people too can be successful.

The following are some of the more specialized services that SCIP offers to maximize it's participants success.

CONTACT:
Sara Black, B.A., Co-Director of Supported Living Services (Los Angeles Area, San Fernando Valley, Ventura County)

For SCIP employment opportunities, e-mail your résumé to Employment@IABA.com or call the IABA Job Opportunity Line toll free: (877) 924-2220

Youth Services

Youth Services assists children of all ages challenged by a developmental disability, including autism, through a continuum of services designed to help each child reach his or her individual potential so he or she may take advantage of opportunities in community and educational settings; Behavioral Respite Service (BRS), Early and Intermediate Intervention Service (EIIS), and Intensive Support Services (ISS). Holding to IABA’s long-standing philosophy, strategies that might be described as aversive or punishing are not employed in our Youth Services.

Early and Intermediate Intervention Service (EIIS)
IABA's Early and Intermediate Intervention Service provides comprehensive and empirically validated instruction and developmental services based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis including discrete trial instruction. The goals of EIIS are to assist every child in reaching his or her individual potential so that he or she may take advantage of opportunities in the community and become a contributing member of society, with a full range of social relationships and friendships. Services are provided in home, school and community settings.

Behavioral Respite Service (BRS)
Our objective is to provide opportunities for families to lead typical lives, integrate the individual into community, recreational, social, and cultural events and activities. We assist the individual and family by providing additional support in that setting so that he or she will continue living at home.

The Goal
Our philosophy is that individuals who receive Behavioral Respite Service (BRS) should:
> Live in the least restrictive setting and have lifestyles like individuals without developmental disabilities.
> Receive support services consistent with the desires and changing needs of the individual and their family.
> Receive appropriate services in natural settings.
> Benefit from Behavioral Respite Services (BRS), regardless of the nature or severity of their developmental disability.

Intensive Support Services (ISS)
Intensive Support Services are based on a comprehensive functional assessment of an individual's challenging behavior. The purpose of the assessment is to assist the individual in securing the programming and services which would enable him or her to develop and to use individual capabilities for more independent, normal living and more productive activity than their behavior problems presently permit. Consistent with IABA philosophy, this service does not employ strategies that might be described as aversive or punishing. Services are provided in home, school and community settings and include assessment, consultation, and/or intervention.

The Goal
The long range goal of Intensive Support Services is to establish enough self-control over challenging behavior so that the individual will be able to live and attend school in the least restrictive setting possible that is capable of meeting his or her developmental and behavioral needs.

For information regarding Youth Services, contact
Jodie Deming-Douglas, Ph.D., BCBA, Director of Youth Services
Priya Runyon, M.A., L.M.F.T., BCBA, Assistant Director

For Youth Service employment opportunities, e-mail your résumé to Employment@IABA.com or call the IABA Job Opportunity Line toll free: (877) 924-2220

Research and Evaluation

In January 1998, IABA combined forces with Community Services Institute to establish a collaborative research program. The mission of the program is to develop, validate, publish, and disseminate research in the area of positive practices designed to enhance service quality in the field of human services and education. The vision of the research program is: (a) to further develop, validate, and test the limits of the multielement model as an organizing framework for research, practice, and training; and (b) to contribute to a more inclusive and valuing society.

The following is a sampling of the Research Program's recent writings and presentations.

Boyle, C. L., & Lutzker, J. R. (2005). Teaching young children to discriminate abusive from nonabusive situations using multiple exemplars in a modified discrete trial teaching format. Journal of Family Violence, 20, 2, 55-69.
Christian, L., Shaull, J., Daniels, S., Gerard, G., & Nelson, S. (2001). A 15-year analysis of employment outcomes in a behavior management day service for adults with developmental disabilities. Manuscript under review.
Christian, L., Stinson, J., & Dotson, L. (2000). Overcoming the barriers to the sexual expression of women with developmental disabilities. Manuscript under review.
Dotson, L., Stinson, J., & Christian, L. (2001). 'People tell me I can't have sex:' Women with disabilities share their personal perspectives on health care, sexuality, and reproductive rights. Manuscript under review.
LaVigna, G., Christian, L., Liberman, R. P., Camacho, E., & Willis, T. (in press). Training professionals to implement effective and positive methods for community integration of individuals with developmental disabilities and dual diagnosis. Psychiatric Services.
Lutzker, J. R., & Boyle, C. L. (2002). Preventing physical and sexual abuse. In L. Jason & D. Glenwick (Eds.), Innovative strategies for preventing psychological problems (pp. 85-105). New York, NY: Springer.
Mullins, J., & Christian, L. (2000). The effects of progressive relaxation training on the disruptive behavior of a boy with autism. Manuscript under review.
Murdico, J., Westby-Trent, A., Rocha, B., & Christian, L. (2000). Factors related to the self-esteem of individuals with mild mental retardation. Manuscript under review.

Boyle, C. L., Filene, J. H., & Wyatt, J. M. (2003) In Search of effective parent training programs. Presentation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Control and Prevention, Division of Violence Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
Boyle, C. L., & Hoover, M. (2004, May). Barriers to help-seeking and prevention of sexual violence in Asian Americans. In D. M. Hoover (Chair), Preventing sexual violence in Asian and Pacific Islander populations. Panel presentation conducted at the meeting of the 3rd National Sexual Violence Prevention Conference: Building Leadership and Commitment to End Sexual Violence, Los Angeles, California.
Boyle, C. L., Ingram, E. M., & Hoover, M. (2003). NAWHO Breaking the silence: Culturally competent approaches to violence prevention for Asian American women. Presentation for Rounds at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
Boyle, C. L. & Lutzker, J. R. (2001). Child sexual abuse prevention training: Teaching young children to discriminate abusive from nonabusive situations using multiple exemplars in a modified discrete trial teaching format. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, New Orleans, LA.
Boyle, C. L., & Lutzker, J.R. (2006). Programmed generalization in Primary Care Triple P. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Atlanta, GA.
Dotson, L., Stinson, J., & Christian, L. (2001, March). Suppressed sexuality: Women, disability, and strategies for change. Paper presentation at Association for Women in Psychology, Los Angeles, CA.
Christian, L., Gerard, G., Nelson, S., & Shaull, J. (2001, February). A 15-year analysis of employment outcomes for a behavior management day service. Poster presentation at California Association for Behavior Analysis, Redondo Beach, CA.
Christian, L., & Lubbers, J. (2001, February). A survey of California school psychologists regarding their knowledge and perceptions of the Hughes Bill, IDEA 1997, and functional analysis assessment. Invited paper presentation at California Association for Behavior Analysis, Redondo Beach, CA.
Christian, L., Murdico, J., Westby-Trent, A., & Rocha, B. (2000, April). Self-esteem correlates in individuals with developmental disabilities. Presentation at California TASH, Burbank, CA.
Christian, L., Caraway, S., & Seppala, L. (2000, March). Competency based training for direct support and management staff and monitoring staff performance using the periodic service review. Invited presentation at the Integrated Institute Annual Conference, Irvine, CA.
Valle, L. A., Wyatt, J., Filene, J. H., & Boyle, C. L. (2006, January). Parent training as prevention: A meta-analytic review. In J. R. Lutzker (Chair), The parenting initiative at CDC - Parts I & II. Symposia conducted at the 20th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. San Diego, CA.
Wyatt, J. M., Valle, L. A., Filene, J. H., Boyle, C. L. & Ingram, E. M. (2004). Quantifying the quality of evaluation in parenting programs: Lessons learned in a meta-Analysis. Paper presented at the American Evaluation Association, Atlanta, GA.

Competency Based Training (CBT)

Many agencies world-wide, providing services to persons with developmental disabilities, are struggling with the issue of how to best train staff and give them the skills needed to provide quality services. These agencies are looking for a comprehensive approach to staff training with specific outcomes and without the luxury of a full-time trainer. What kind of training do agencies offer so that staff feel competent to carry out their challenging job responsibilities?

IABA has developed a systematic, criterion-referenced and self-instructional training course for staff working primarily in the field of developmental disabilities. The Competency Based Training (CBT) series was first developed by IABA in 1985 to be used in training its own staff. The principles contained in the CBTs have been successfully used in the fields of adult services (supported employment, supported living and other residential options) as well as schools serving children and adolescents. Agencies serving other populations (e.g., mental health and neurobehavior centers) have also utilized the training series to increase the level of staff competence.

Some of the principles and skills taught in the CBTs include the principle of full inclusion, instructional strategies, the function of behavior challenges, public relations, positive support strategies, problem-solving and troubleshooting skills and more. To demonstrate competence for each module, staff must meet specific criteria such as objective tests, role-plays and field assignments.

The CBT package includes 16 modules with 73 competencies and 130 criteria, a library of 4 textbooks and 2 videotapes, an Instructor's Manual and tests and answers for each topic. There are 5 of the 16 topics which are customized to incorporate specifics which may be unique to each agency.

The CBT has been field tested for over 11 years in a variety of settings. It is complete, comprehensive and includes critical training that direct care staff need and is flexible enough to be integrated with an agency's unique needs and existing training.

CONTACT:
Diane Sabiston, M.Ed., Senior Manager
PO Box 30726
Savannah, GA 31410 USA

Professional Training Services

Since 1987, IABA has provided professional training programs for professionals, parents and advocates throughout Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, and the U.S. Training on the following topics is available: Assessment and Analysis of Severe and Challenging Behavior (an annual 2 week summer institute), Positive Approaches to Solving Behavior Challenges, Assuring Staff Consistency and the Provision of Quality Services, Supported Employment, and Emergency Management and Reactive Strategies within a Nonaversive Framework. Contact IABA for a current schedule of programs.

IABA also offers other staff development resources including video tapes, books and a quarterly newsletter that are designed to promote positive practices in the field of challenging behavior.

CONTACT:
John Marshall, M.Ed., Director of Professional Training Programs
Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
PO Box 5743
Greenville, SC 29606-5743 USA

Telephone: +1 (864) 271-4161
Toll Free Voice (US & Canada): +1 (800) 457-5575
Fax: +1 (864) 271-4162
Toll Free Fax (US & Canada): +1 (877) 670-4222

Thomas J. Willis, Ph.D.

Tom Willis is Associate Director of the Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience as a behavioral consultant and workshop leader he has coauthored numerous articles on providing person-centered behavioral support to people with severe and challenging behavior including The Periodic Service Review: A Total Quality Assurance System For Human Services and Education, The Behavior Assessment Guide, The Reinforcement Inventory, and Emergency Management Guidelines. He is an internationally recognized authority and lecturer on the topics of behavioral assessment, the design of nonaversive behavioral support services and staff management strategies for total quality assurance.

IABA Office Addresses and Key Staff

LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA OFFICE

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
5777 West Century Boulevard, Suite 675 (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90045-5697 USA
Telephone: +1 (310) 649-0499
Fax: +1 (310) 649-3109

E-mail address for staff are given in parenthesis; you will need to add "@iaba.com"

Gary W. LaVigna, Ph.D., BCBA, Clinical Director (glavigna)
Thomas J. Willis, Ph.D., Associate Director (twillis)

Administration
Bob Shelton, Director of Administrative Services (bobshelton)
Daryl Rogala, Controller (drogala)
Rose Kelly, Administrative Services Supervisor (rokelly)
Darva Coleman, Accounting Supervisor (dcoleman)

STEP: A Behavioral Day Activity Service
Linda Seppala, M.S., Director, (lseppala)
Rachel Jacoby, M.S., Assistant Director (rjacoby)

Social/Community Integration and Participation (SCIP)
Sara Black, B.A., Director of Supported Living Services (sblack) (Los Angeles Area, San Fernando Valley and Ventura)
Kendra Felton, M.S.W., Assistant Director/Services (kfelton)
Kathryn Edwards, Assistant Director/Intake (kedwards)

Youth Services
Jodie Deming-Douglas, Ph.D., BCBA, Director (jdeming)
Priya Runyon, M.A., L.M.F.T., BCBA, Assistant Director (prunyon)

Behavior Services
Thomas J. Willis, Ph.D., Associate Director (twillis)
Jo L. Mullins, M.A., Manager (jmullins)

Youth Services
Early and Intermediate Intervention Services
Sandra Verdugo, M.A., Manager (sverdugo)
Corinne Smith, Supervisor

VENTURA COUNTY CALIFORNIA OFFICE

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
333 North Lantana Street, Suite 287 (map)
Camarillo, CA 93010-9009 USA
Telephone: +1 (805) 987-5886
Fax: +1 (805) 987-7279

STEP
Ayndrea LaVigna-Tyo, M.S., Manager (alavigna)
Catherine Hebert, Supervisor (chebert)

SCIP (a)
Ann Ogletree, Manager (aogletree)
Kathleen Palmaro, Supervisor (kpalmaro)

TARZANA CALIFORNIA OFFICE

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
19510 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 204 (map)
Tarzana, CA 91356-2947 USA
Telephone: +1 (818) 881-1933
Fax: +1 (818) 881-1935

STEP
Karla Mayorga, Manager (kayorga)
vacant, Supervisor ()

SCIP
Melissa Shapiro, Manager (mshapiro)
Nedda Henderson, Supervisor (nhenderson)
Stefan Ali, Supervisor (sali)

Youth Services
Jodie Deming-Douglas, Ph.D., BCBA, Director (jdeming)
Priya Runyon, M.A., L.M.F.T., BCBA, Assistant Director (prunyon)

Intensive Support Services
George Davis, Manager (gdavis)
Claire Sutton, Supervisor (csutton)

Early and Intermediate Intervention Service
Erica Parks, M.A., Manager (eparks)
Allison Lazar, M.A., Manager (alazar)
Angela D'Agostino, M.S., Senior Manager (adagostino)
Allison Lazar, Supervisor (alazar)

ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA OFFICE

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
2333 N. Broadway, Suite 300 (map)
Santa Ana, CA 92706-1641 USA
Telephone: +1 (714) 543-8540
Fax: +1 (714) 543-5846

STEP
Jennifer Richey, B.A., Manager (jrichey)
Diana Figueroa, Supervisor (dfigueroa)

Youth Services
Lori Murray, Manager (lmurray)

Intensive Support Service
Lydia Jennings, Manager (ljennings)

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL OFFICE

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
832 B Street #C (map)
Hayward, CA 94541-5108 USA
Telephone: +1 (510) 885-8810
Fax: +1 (510) 885-8817

Lori Ann Dotson, M.A., R.A.S., Director of Northern California Services (ldotson)
Kathryn Edwards, Assistant Director/Intake (kedwards)

IABA Comprehensive Services
Janice Li, ICS Area Supervisor (janice.li)

IABA Crisis Prevention Services
Kevin Loeb, M.S., Senior Behavior Analyst/Manager of Behavioral Services (kloeb)

Northern California Behavioral Services
Megan Brown, Behavior Specialist Trainee (mbrown)

GEORGIA OFFICE

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
PO Box 30726
Savannah, GA 31410-0726 USA
Telephone: +1 (912) 898-0390
Fax: +1 (912) 898-8077

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICE

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
PO Box 5743
Greenville, SC 29606-5743 USA
Telephone: +1 (864) 271-4161
Toll Free Voice (US & Canada): +1 (800) 457-5575
Fax: +1 (864) 271-4162
Toll Free Fax (US & Canada): +1 (877) 670-4222

John Marshall, M.Ed., Director of Professional Training Services (jmarshall)
Jolie Loeb, BFA, Assistant Seminar Coordinator and Graphic Artist (jolie_marshall)