The Development of a Behavior Plan Quality Assurance Instrument in a Publicly Funded System of Care
Use a state-made computer checklist to catch missing parts in behavior plans before you send them in.
01Research in Context
What this study did
A state team built a computer checklist that scores every behavior plan before it goes to the waiver office.
They used the exact rules already written into state policy.
The tool flags missing parts like crisis plans or data sheets so staff can fix them fast.
What they found
The paper only shows how the tool works.
No outcome data yet.
It is ready for other states to copy and use.
How this fits with other research
Chezan et al. (2018) also built a statewide system, but they trained new BCBAs instead of checking plans.
Pellecchia et al. (2016) and Linder et al. (2021) both wrote blueprints without data, just like this paper.
Strydom et al. (2020) ran a big trial and found no benefit from extra PBS training; the new QA tool may help spot weak plans before money is spent.
Why it matters
You can download the checklist and run every plan through it before you submit.
It saves time, cuts rejections, and keeps you inside state rules.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Quality assurance in behavior planning may best be accomplished when quality measures match governing policies that closely parallel best practice standards. This article provides an example of state government creating practice guidelines for focused behavioral services delivered in a home and community-based waiver system. We provide an overview of existing quality assurance instruments for behavior plans and share a unique quality review tool with several automated features designed to assess adherence to these practice guidelines. Considerations are offered for others with interest in policy to practice alignment, along with suggestions on how behavior analysts can successfully participate in policy making and quality assurance.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2025 · doi:10.1007/s40617-024-00909-1