Leadership, Transparency, and Collaboration in ABA Organizations, with Jennifer Heidt Running a successful ABA practice requires effective leadership, transparent communication, and strong collaboration across all team levels. In this episode of the 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Heidt, Director of Training at Above and Beyond Therapy. Jennifer shares her expert strategies for empowering RBTs and BCBAs, addressing challenges in the field, and building supportive workplace environments. Key Takeaways from the Podcast Challenges in the ABA Field: Jennifer highlights the recurring challenges faced by ABA professionals, including isolation in in-home settings, lack of mentorship, and communication gaps between staff and leadership. Empowering Staff through Training and Mentorship: Jennifer emphasizes the importance of mentorship programs and realistic onboarding processes to prepare RBTs for the field. Providing RBTs with a clear understanding of expectations and company support sets them up for success. Building Transparent and Collaborative Cultures: A critical aspect of leadership is creating open lines of communication. Jennifer encourages leaders to listen actively to staff concerns, provide actionable solutions, and foster a culture where feedback is welcomed without fear of retaliation. Balancing Business and Compassionate Care: Jennifer also discusses the importance of balancing operational goals (like billable hours) with a focus on delivering high-quality, ethical care. The key lies in attaching quality outcomes to goals to avoid burnout and support both staff and clients effectively. Self-Awareness and Leadership Development: Effective leadership starts with self-awareness and vulnerability. Jennifer shares strategies for building these skills, including seeking feedback, recognizing patterns, and approaching challenges with a problem-solving mindset. About the Guest Jennifer Heidt is the Director of Training at Above and Beyond Therapy and a BCBA with over a decade of experience across clinical and leadership roles. She is passionate about mentorship, cultivating future leaders, and ensuring staff feel prepared and supported. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-heidt-8746b938 Sponsor This blog is sponsored by MarginKeepers. Concentrate on the science, leave the accounting to us! We have in-depth knowledge of the Applied Behavior Analysis field. Learn more: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/MarginKeepers   © 2024 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders. All rights reserved.

Building Better Care: Public Policy and Staff Empowerment in ABA The ABA field is no stranger to challenges—from maintaining compliance and negotiating rates to empowering staff and ensuring high-quality services. Yet, as Alexandra Tomei, BCBA, highlights in this episode of ABA Business Leaders presented by 3 Pie Squared, these challenges are also opportunities to foster meaningful change. As the Director of Clinical Standards at BlueSprig, Alexandra brings her extensive expertise to the forefront, discussing the vital role of public policy and staff empowerment in building better care. Balancing Standards with Individualized Care One of the most critical aspects of ABA is balancing clinical standards with the need for individualized care. Alexandra shares her experience creating standard operating procedures that align with generally accepted standards of care while allowing flexibility to meet each client’s unique needs. She emphasizes that creating efficiencies—from treatment planning to documentation—not only streamlines operations but also enables clinicians to focus on what truly matters: delivering impactful, personalized care. Empowering RBTs and BCBAs Alexandra underscores the importance of empowering both Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and BCBAs. Frontline staff, she notes, are often the experts on the clients they serve. Organizations must ensure these team members feel heard, valued, and supported. From providing pathways for leadership to creating safe spaces for open communication, Alexandra explains how fostering a culture of collaboration leads to better outcomes for clients and greater retention of skilled staff. She also advocates for training and professional development opportunities tailored to the diverse career goals of RBTs and BCBAs. Not everyone aspires to advance to higher certifications, and that’s okay. Offering growth opportunities within their roles ensures that every team member feels appreciated and has a clear path forward. Public Policy: A Call to Action Public policy plays a pivotal role in the sustainability of ABA services. Alexandra shares her experience advocating for fair reimbursement rates and ethical practices, particularly in Colorado, where Medicaid rate challenges have forced many providers to close their doors. Her involvement with the Public Policy Posse and efforts to engage state organizations underscore the importance of collective advocacy. “Public policy is like walking uphill through cold molasses,” Alexandra says, highlighting the persistence required to enact change. Yet, even small victories can have profound impacts on the accessibility and quality of care. Lessons for ABA Business Owners For ABA business owners, Alexandra’s insights are invaluable. She advises prioritizing long-term investments in staff training and retention, even when short-term costs seem daunting. High-quality training, open communication, and a culture of appreciation not only reduce turnover but also improve client outcomes. Additionally, she stresses the importance of rate negotiations and partnering with state organizations to advocate for fair reimbursement policies. While the process can be frustrating, collective efforts can lead to systemic improvements that benefit providers and clients alike. Building a Better Future Alexandra’s vision for the ABA field is clear: a community where quality care and staff empowerment are not mutually exclusive. By fostering collaboration, advocating for fair policies, and valuing every team member’s contribution, ABA businesses can create sustainable, impactful practices. Guess what! We are offering FREE RBT training for the month of December for those who sign up at our new training platform! Check it out here- https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Training_Program  

🎅 Free RBT Training for Your ABA Team This Holiday Season! 🎄 This holiday season, we’re bringing some festive cheer to your ABA practice! In partnership with Happy Medium RBT Training, we’re thrilled to offer an exclusive holiday gift: FREE 40-Hour RBT Courses with every paid training program purchase. 🎁 What’s the Offer? When you purchase a paid training program, you’ll receive up to one free RBT course per staff seat in your account. Whether you’re growing your team or want to provide high-quality training to existing staff, this is your chance to transform your practice! 🌟 Here’s How It Works: Purchase a paid training program today. Starting next week, we’ll send you a special coupon to claim your free courses. You’ll get up to one course per staff seat—perfect for onboarding and professional development. For example, if your account supports 25 staff, you can receive up to 25 courses, completely free! 🎄 Why Choose the Happy Medium RBT Training? This isn’t just any 40-Hour RBT Course. The Happy Medium RBT Training provides unique, field-leading content to prepare your team with tools and strategies like: A neurodiversity perspective to support all learners. Trauma-informed techniques for compassionate care. Strength-based learning and autonomy-focused strategies. The renowned Happy Medium Approach, featuring tools like the Noticing Grid, Pendulum of Optimal Learning, and more. ⏳ Don’t Wait—Offer Ends December 31st! Santa’s sleigh waits for no one! This incredible offer is only available until the end of the month. After that, you’ll miss out on the free training and might just find a lump of coal in your stocking. Give your team the gift of growth this holiday season and see why the ABA Business Leaders Training Platform is transforming practices across the country. 🎁 Ready to Claim Your Gift? Click below to learn more and secure your spot: 👉 https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Training_Program