Creating a Professional Network: A Statewide Model to Support School-Based Behavior Analysts
A free, volunteer statewide network keeps school BCBAs connected and cuts CEU costs.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Layden (2023) built a free, volunteer network for school BCBAs in one U.S. state.
The group meets online each month, shares free CEUs, and runs small research teams.
What they found
The paper is a how-to guide, not an experiment, so no numbers are reported.
The author says the network keeps isolated BCBAs connected and cuts training costs.
How this fits with other research
Eslava et al. (2025) ran a similar peer circle in Mexico, but added a mission to lift Latina voices. Both papers show the same recipe works across countries.
Haberlin et al. (2025) took the idea further. Australia turned its informal BCBA groups into a national licensing body. Layden’s state network could grow the same way.
Napolitano et al. (2025) push the next step. They say peer groups should also lobby lawmakers. Layden’s network already meets; it just needs an advocacy arm.
Why it matters
If you work in schools and feel solo, copy the model. Pick a free video platform, set the same monthly time slot, and invite every school BCBA in your state. Rotate who gives a short CEU talk and who runs a quick research brainstorm. In one semester you will have a low-cost support system and fresh continuing-education credits without travel.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Despite efforts to increase the presence of behavior analysis in public schools, the process has been slow. Though more Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs®) are working in public school settings, supports for this group of BCBAs are varied in both what they look like and their availability. It is not uncommon for BCBAs to work with little or no support from other BCBAs in their school district. Those who do have other BCBA colleagues in their district may not have structures in place to collaborate or grow as a behavior analyst. The current article describes a statewide initiative to increase supports for BCBAs working in public school settings. The network was formed with three chief goals: 1) to build a professional peer network for school-based BCBAs; 2) to provide continuing education events targeted to school-based BCBAs to promote increased competence; and 3) to encourage continued scholarship. This manuscript provides a description of the network efforts to date as well as areas that will continue to be evaluated and addressed.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2023 · doi:10.1007/s40617-022-00700-0