Behavioral health policy is not an abstraction that exists outside the clinical encounter. It is the infrastructure that determines whether your clients receive services at all, how much funding supports those services, and what legal protections exist when things go wrong.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Behavior Genius
Take This Course →Including ethics, supervision, and topics like this one. New live CEU every Wednesday.
Join Free →Our second roundtable discussion in the We, the People series explores the intricate dynamics between behavioral health public policy, local district meetings concerning funding allocation for mental health services, and the legal ramifications exemplified by the case of Brendan Depa, a Black Autistic child who was arrested, detained and held in solitary confinement following a behavioral health incident between himself and a school professional. Behavioral health policies play a crucial role in shaping the accessibility and quality of mental health services within communities. Local district meetings serve as pivotal arenas where decisions regarding fund allocation for behavioral health are deliberated upon and determined. Brendan Depa's court case serves as a poignant illustration of the legal complexities surrounding mental health, shedding light on the intersection of policy, governance, and individual rights. By examining these interconnected themes, this conversation aims to elucidate the challenges and opportunities inherent in addressing behavioral health needs within the framework of public policy and legal proceedings.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1.5 | Ethics |
Portia James has spent nearly two decades shaking conference tables — challenging systems that prioritize efficiency over dignity and outcomes over people. As the founder of Behavior Genius, she built the organization from the ground up with a singular conviction: that sustainable performance is impossible without care, clarity, and human-centered leadership. Today, Portia serves as Chief of People & Performance, where she focuses on the lived experiences of both staff and families. Her work centers on organizational behavior management (OBM), mentorship, psychological safety, and performance systems that support people without burning them out. She partners closely with clinical and operational leaders while maintaining a visible, front-line presence — meeting families during intake, mentoring leaders, and ensuring the mission is felt through every interaction with the people she serves. Known for blending rigor with relational leadership, Portia believes that accountability and compassion are not opposites — they are partners. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to stewarding people well, protecting culture, and “mothering the mission” under the core belief that growth should not cost anyone their humanity. She is also the author of Radical OBM, where she reimagines traditional organizational behavior management through a human-centered, systems-driven lens — challenging leaders to design environments where people can perform, grow, and belong. At her core, Portia views leadership as service — a calling to be present, responsible, and faithful with what (and who) she has been entrusted to lead. Her work is rooted in healing the systems we’ve survived — and building workplaces that people don’t have to recover from. Outside of work, Portia is a wife, a homeschool mother of three, and a collector of experiences in the form of concert tickets, sky miles, and recipe books.
Side-by-side comparison with a clinical decision framework
Research-backed educational guide for behavior analysts
Research-backed answers to common clinical questions
All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.