District of Columbia ABA

By Saundra Bishop and Lera Johnson

While the District of Columbia is geographically small, its metropolitan area extends to near the states of Maryland and Virginia (often referred to as the DMV or DC-Metro Area). As a result, there is often overlap between where Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) live and work. Many BCBAs live and work in multiple locations throughout the DMV and often qualify for the benefits of more than one affiliate chapter association. DCABA commits to serving as primary or complimentary affiliate chapter association to any BCBA living or working in the DMV area. In addition to the traditional needs that affiliate chapter associations can meet, DCABA is able to focus on the unique features that one experiences being a BCBA in Washington, DC (it not being a state, DC being the seat of the Federal government, having a unique transient population, etc.).

DCABA’s mission is to promote the professional practice, ethics, research, and dissemination of behavior analysis, and to provide its members with support and continuing education opportunities within the field of behavior analysis. DCABA is committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness in our organization and within the field of behavior analysis.
After some slowing down as a result of the pandemic, the board is happy to share that we are back at near
full capacity and working diligently to fulfill our mission. Our current board members meet on a monthly basis
and include:

President Saundra Bishop, MS, BCBA, LBA VA, CCTP
Past-President Mary Caruso-Anders, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA VA & MD
Secretary Amber Travers, MEd, BCBA, LBA VA
Treasurer Andrea Jones, Graduate Student in Behavior Analysis
Communications Coordinator Lorena Trujillo, BCBA, LBA VA
DEI Coordinator Gabrielle Torres, BCBA, IBA
Members-at-Large Lera Johnson, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA VA & MD Chrystal Foster, BCBA, LBA VA & MD

We also have four active committees supporting the goals and initiatives of the organization:

Membership Committee—focuses on supporting members of DCABA (i.e. resources, socializing) and growing the number of members, which includes behavior analysts, other professionals, RBTs, parents, allies, etc.

The Program/Continuing Education Committee focuses on our professional development and training opportunities.

The Public Policy Committee focuses on furthering the regulated practice of behavior analysis in Washington, D.C., including research of licensure initiatives across the country, drafting ABA licensure laws for D.C. and working for their ratification.

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee ensures that the events, actions and activities of the DCABA Board and its Committees take into account and promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

As our committees continue their work, we are always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining a committee, email us at districtaba@gmail.com.

Our primary focus in 2023 was to grow membership by enhancing our membership value and provide our members with more professional development and networking opportunities. We offered several exciting CEU workshops as Lunch and Learns. We also offered a free renewal for all members this year.
Our most exciting achievement was an initial submission of a BCBA licensing proposal with the District of Columbia Council. Our primary focus in 2024 is to continue to enhance our membership value and provide our members with more professional development and networking opportunities in order to increase membership size and also create a pathway to board leadership. We will continue to work on the licensing legislation with the DC Council. Other goals include establishing mentoring for young professionals and resources for parents.

Visit us online! DC ABA has established a social presence through:
Website: districtaba.org
Facebook: DC ABA
Twitter: @districtaba
Become a member: districtaba.org/membership