New Hampshire ABA – 2025 Chapter Update

By Sabrina Rando and Eileen Mendes

2024 was a year of growth and opportunity for NHABA, and 2025 is shaping up for even more. The energy and commitment from our community of behavior analysts is propelling NHABA forward in ways that strengthen our profession and ensure quality services throughout New Hampshire.

This year, we’re setting our sights on deeper engagement with our membership, particularly with the frontline professionals who form the backbone of our field. Their daily work has a powerful and immediate impact on the lives of our clients, and it’s time we formally recognize and elevate their contributions. Together, certified practitioners and frontline professionals will continue to advance our field in New Hampshire through education, advocacy, inclusion, and community.

2024 Conference Highlights

The 2024 annual conference, held in Concord, New Hampshire, was a resounding success. With nearly 120 attendees from all around New England, the conference represented the broad range of services and the diversity of providers in our area. Our impressive speaker lineup garnered interest from all over New England:

Dr. Anita Li
Matt Cicoria
Courtney Tarbox
Dr. Jonathan Tarbox
Dr. Mahshid Ghaemmaghami

Their presentations sparked valuable conversations about current practices in public schools, in supervisory relationships, in cultural competency, and in the sensitive and trauma-assumed delivery of behavior analytic care.

This conference marked a significant evolution in NHABA’s approach to professional development. For the first time, we offered a special ticket price for frontline professionals, making the event more accessible to behavior technicians, direct support professionals, and paraeducators. This simple change resulted in a notable increase in attendance among these essential members of our workforce, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to our discussions which we hope to see carry on for years to come.

The increased participation from frontline staff reinforced something we’ve always known but perhaps haven’t always acted upon: the “table” is big enough for us all, and is better when everyone has a seat. For many students and frontline professionals, this was their first time attending a conference, and we hope that it sparked an interest in furthering their education, skills, or career in behavior analysis.

Looking Ahead: 2025 Initiatives

Enhanced Membership Structure

In line with our mission to promote and support both formal education and member engagement, we’ve revised our bylaws to include a new membership level specifically for frontline professionals. This change reflects our commitment to making NHABA a home for everyone in the behavior analytic community, regardless of credential level or role.

For frontline professionals, we’re developing high-quality continuing education opportunities aimed specifically at helping RBTs meet their upcoming 2026 CEU requirements. This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to support professional development across all levels of practice.

Expanding Our Leadership

We’re excited to announce the addition of a new Board position: the Frontline Professional Representative. This role will ensure that the perspectives and needs of behavior technicians, direct support professionals, and paraeducators are represented in all chapter decisions and initiatives. The first Frontline Professional Representative will be elected in late 2025.

This expansion of our Board structure reflects our recognition that frontline professionals do the bulk of the important work in our field. Their voices deserve to be heard at every level of professional organization and advocacy.

Advocacy Initiatives

NHABA is increasing its involvement in state-level advocacy this year. We’ll be attending legislative information and listening sessions, with a specific focus on securing representation for behavior analysts on all councils and committees where our voices should be heard.

Additionally, we’re connecting with DHHS and insurance department representatives to offer educational sessions for insurance-based ABA providers. These efforts will help ensure that our members have the information and support they need to navigate the complex regulatory environment of our field and to make use of every resource available to them when it comes to protecting access to their clients’ services.

Save the Date: 2025 Conference

Mark your calendars for October 24, 2025, for our annual conference in Plymouth, NH. We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Greg Hanley will be our keynote speaker. The conference will also feature a lineup of local New Hampshire speaker, showcasing the exceptional talent and expertise right here in our home state. This unique balance of national and local perspectives will ensure that our conference reaches all attendees and elevates voices representing varied perspectives and experiences.

Building on the success of last year’s conference, we’ll continue to offer accessible pricing for frontline professionals and ensure we have a lineup that meets the needs of behavior analysts at all levels of practice.

Meet Your New Board

NHABA has welcomed several new Board members this year, including a new president, secretary, treasurer, members at large, and student representative. The Board is made up of brand-new representatives alongside returning members and even one of the Chapter’s founding officers. This combination of voices and experiences is helping us to build a behavior analytic community that is ready to tackle the challenges of the future of our field.

Get Involved

The success of NHABA depends on the active involvement of our members. Here are some ways you can contribute to our community in the coming year:

Attend our 2025 conference on October 24th in Plymouth
Consider nominating yourself or a colleague for the new Frontline Professional Representative position
Participate in our advocacy initiatives by attending meetings and information sessions
Share your expertise by volunteering on a committee or presenting at a continuing education event
Connect with us on social media to stay updated on NHABA news and events

Your participation strengthens our collective voice and enhances the quality of behavior analytic services throughout New Hampshire.