Arkansas ABA

By Elizabeth R. Lorah

The Arkansas Association for Behavior Analysts is dedicated to the advancement of the science and application of behavior analysis and committed to promoting research, education, and practice based on the principles of behavior analysis. ArkABA strives to disseminate knowledge from the science of behavior analysis to the public and to professional behavior analysts. ArkABA currently has 200 members, comprised of practitioners, academics, students, and affiliates from across the state of Arkansas. ArkABA members benefit from discounted rates for our annual conference, as well as free CEU opportunities throughout the year.

ArkABA achieved two major accomplishments in 2021. First, ArkABA hosted an in-person conference on the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Bentonville, AR. We welcomed presters Sarah Campau, Drs. Corina Jimenez-Gomez and Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi, and a panel of local practitioners. The event was attended by 124 persons from across the state and neighboring states.

Secondly, as a primary focus of ArkABA’s endeavors this year has been the establishment licensure for behavior analysts in the state of Arkansas. We began working with a house representative, in April of 2022 and presented the benefits of licensure to the Mental and Behavior Health workgroup in the fall of 2022. We worked with Arkansas Bill Drafters to draft a bill for licensure with guidance from professional associations. Our licensure bill was filed in January 2023. The licensure successfully passed the house and senate committees and floors; but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Sarah Sanders.

In the coming year, ArkABA will continue to focus time and energy on the establishment of licensure for behavior analysts, working with legislators across the state and the behavior analyst in the state. We plan to host smaller CEU events across the state to foster more community and grow ArkABA leadership. We are also working to collaborate with neighboring state to co-host a events. ArkABA was thrilled to have the opportunity to present on our efforts, membership growth, and the benefits of membership at the 2024 Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International conference.