Thank You for Attending the 2022 Collaborator’s Forum!
Agenda for 2022 Collaborator’s Forum
- 10:00-10:30
- Introduction and Updates on MNPBS Network Activities
- Tim Moore, University of Minnesota
- 10:30-12:00
- Panel Discussion: Experience of People who have Utilized Positive Behavior Support and Applied Behavior Analysis to Enhance Quality of Life
- Moderator: Elizabeth Harri-Dennis, MN Dept of Human Services
- Panelists: Tara Nelson-Anderson (Robbinsdale Area Schools), L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan, Collin Brusnahan, Kara Mensink
- 12:00-1:00
- Lunch
- 1:00-1:50
- Implementation of School-Wide PBIS in a High School Context
- Steve Wagner, Sauk Rapids-Rice School District
- 2:00-2:50
- Alternatives to Punishment: Strategic Ways to Listen and Support
- Introduction: Elizabeth Harri-Dennis, MN Dept of Human Services
- Exemplars: Heather Wilford (Mains’l Services), Nicole Kelly (SWWC), and Jodi Cushman-Purcell (MN Dept of Human Services)
Meet our 2022 Presenters (and access any slides they have graciously made available to us)!
Collin Brusnahan
Collin Brusnahan is an adult with autism who at age 4 was nonverbal and diagnosed with autism. He participated in several years of intensive early intervention programming in the home setting. He attended Minnesota Independence College and Community and Edgewood College after high school.
Jodi Cushman-Purcell, BCBA (MN Dept of Human Services)
MNPBS 2022 J Cushman-Purcell (SLIDES)
After working in a special education classroom for several years, Jodi became interested in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to support children with interfering behaviors. She received her Master of Science in Counseling and Special Education with emphasis in ABA from Cal State – LA, and her credential as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). In the fall of 2014, Jodi was recruited to join the Successful Life Project at the State of Minnesota, where she currently works with adults with co-occurring developmental disabilities and a mental health diagnosis. Although she enjoys direct clinical work, Jodi is eager to inspire others about the science of behavior and why people do what they do.
Elizabeth Harri-Dennis, BCBA (MN Dept of Human Services)
Elizabeth is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 13 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She works for the Minnesota Department of Human Services on the Community Capacity and Positive Supports team as a person-centered and positive supports specialist. Elizabeth is a member of the External Program Review Committee (EPRC). Her experience includes developing and implementing person-centered positive behavior supports, and developing and implementing early intervention ABA therapy for children with autism. Elizabeth has expertise in positive behavior support program implementation, training, and systems change. She has also presented at local and national conferences on various topics in behavior analysis practice and theory.
Nicole Kelly, BCBA (SWWC)
Nicole received her BA in Sociology from the College of Saint Benedict. She completed her BCaBA coursework at the University of West Florida. Nicole has experience with in home and clinic based early intervention setting working with children with autism and various developmental delays. She also has experience working in the school setting.
Kara Mensink
Kara Mensink is the parent of 11 year old Max. Since his diagnosis with autism at age 3 years, Max has benefitted from a variety of different therapies. He has received home-based ABA through Behavioral Dimensions, center-based ABA at Fraser in Eagan, and currently receives Positive Behavior Support through Fraser via telehealth.
Tim Moore (University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration)
Collaborators Forum 2022 Introduction (SLIDES)
Dr. Moore rejoined the Institute on Community integration in 2021 after spending three previous years at the Institute from 2010-2013. He is a Licensed Psychologist in Minnesota and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. He has been in the fields of Positive Behavior Support, Applied Behavior Analysis, and behavioral psychology for 25 years in direct service, staff development, and capacity building roles in a variety of settings (home, community, vocational, residential, academic), and has worked on systems change and policy initiatives in pursuit of better lives for people with disabilities.
Tara Nelson-Anderson, BCBA (Robbinsdale Area Schools)
Tara as been working in schools as a behavior analyst for 19 years, first at Rum River Special Education Co-op and currently in her 17th year at Robbinsdale Area Schools. In this role, she provides behavior analytic services to support students across all grade levels, in both general and special education settings. Tara also regularly provides professional development for district staff on the use of behavior principles in the schools and as a certified CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) instructor helping staff acquire and maintain CPI certification.
As part of her role of a BCBA in the schools, she serves on several committees within Robbinsdale, including the Restrictive Procedures Committee, MTSS committee, and is the team lead on a Professional Learning Committee, which is currently focused on increasing use of antecedent interventions in self-contained classrooms.
Since 2017, Tara has continued to advance the field of behavior analysis in the schools through her participation in the Minnesota School Based Behavior Analysts (MSBBA). In 2019, she was elected President of MSBBA, where she is responsible for organizing monthly meetings, creating opportunities for continuing education, and advocating for the group in behavior analytical and educational fields.
L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan
L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan is the parent of Collin Brusnahan. When he was a young child, the family worked with Dr. Glen Sallows from Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) to implement an intensive behavior intervention program in the home based on traditional applied behavior analysis. Lynn Stansberry is also a professor at the University of St. Thomas in the Department of Special Education.
Steve Wagner (Sauk Rapids – Rice High School)
MNPBS 2022 S Wagner (SLIDES)
Heather has a masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She has clinical experience working with diverse groups of people in a variety of environments. She excels at working with people who have complex behavioral and medical needs while balancing what important to and for the person and their support teams. She also provides consultation and training to direct supporters, parents and teachers. She has a passion for creating environments (living, working, or learning) that work for all people and believes that partnership and collaboration is essential to achieving the desired outcome.
Collin Brusnahan
Collin Brusnahan is an adult with autism who at age 4 was nonverbal and diagnosed with autism. He participated in several years of intensive early intervention programming in the home setting. He attended Minnesota Independence College and Community and Edgewood College after high school.
Jodi Cushman-Purcell, BCBA (MN Dept of Human Services)
MNPBS 2022 J Cushman-Purcell (SLIDES)
After working in a special education classroom for several years, Jodi became interested in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to support children with interfering behaviors. She received her Master of Science in Counseling and Special Education with emphasis in ABA from Cal State – LA, and her credential as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). In the fall of 2014, Jodi was recruited to join the Successful Life Project at the State of Minnesota, where she currently works with adults with co-occurring developmental disabilities and a mental health diagnosis. Although she enjoys direct clinical work, Jodi is eager to inspire others about the science of behavior and why people do what they do.
Elizabeth Harri-Dennis, BCBA (MN Dept of Human Services)
Elizabeth is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 13 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She works for the Minnesota Department of Human Services on the Community Capacity and Positive Supports team as a person-centered and positive supports specialist. Elizabeth is a member of the External Program Review Committee (EPRC). Her experience includes developing and implementing person-centered positive behavior supports, and developing and implementing early intervention ABA therapy for children with autism. Elizabeth has expertise in positive behavior support program implementation, training, and systems change. She has also presented at local and national conferences on various topics in behavior analysis practice and theory.
Nicole Kelly, BCBA (SWWC)
Nicole received her BA in Sociology from the College of Saint Benedict. She completed her BCaBA coursework at the University of West Florida. Nicole has experience with in home and clinic based early intervention setting working with children with autism and various developmental delays. She also has experience working in the school setting.
Kara Mensink
Kara Mensink is the parent of 11 year old Max. Since his diagnosis with autism at age 3 years, Max has benefitted from a variety of different therapies. He has received home-based ABA through Behavioral Dimensions, center-based ABA at Fraser in Eagan, and currently receives Positive Behavior Support through Fraser via telehealth.
Tim Moore (University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration)
Collaborators Forum 2022 Introduction (SLIDES)
Dr. Moore rejoined the Institute on Community integration in 2021 after spending three previous years at the Institute from 2010-2013. He is a Licensed Psychologist in Minnesota and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. He has been in the fields of Positive Behavior Support, Applied Behavior Analysis, and behavioral psychology for 25 years in direct service, staff development, and capacity building roles in a variety of settings (home, community, vocational, residential, academic), and has worked on systems change and policy initiatives in pursuit of better lives for people with disabilities.
Tara Nelson-Anderson, BCBA (Robbinsdale Area Schools)
Tara as been working in schools as a behavior analyst for 19 years, first at Rum River Special Education Co-op and currently in her 17th year at Robbinsdale Area Schools. In this role, she provides behavior analytic services to support students across all grade levels, in both general and special education settings. Tara also regularly provides professional development for district staff on the use of behavior principles in the schools and as a certified CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) instructor helping staff acquire and maintain CPI certification.
As part of her role of a BCBA in the schools, she serves on several committees within Robbinsdale, including the Restrictive Procedures Committee, MTSS committee, and is the team lead on a Professional Learning Committee, which is currently focused on increasing use of antecedent interventions in self-contained classrooms.
Since 2017, Tara has continued to advance the field of behavior analysis in the schools through her participation in the Minnesota School Based Behavior Analysts (MSBBA). In 2019, she was elected President of MSBBA, where she is responsible for organizing monthly meetings, creating opportunities for continuing education, and advocating for the group in behavior analytical and educational fields.
L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan
L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan is the parent of Collin Brusnahan. When he was a young child, the family worked with Dr. Glen Sallows from Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) to implement an intensive behavior intervention program in the home based on traditional applied behavior analysis. Lynn Stansberry is also a professor at the University of St. Thomas in the Department of Special Education.
Steve Wagner (Sauk Rapids – Rice High School)
MNPBS 2022 S Wagner (SLIDES)
Heather has a masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She has clinical experience working with diverse groups of people in a variety of environments. She excels at working with people who have complex behavioral and medical needs while balancing what important to and for the person and their support teams. She also provides consultation and training to direct supporters, parents and teachers. She has a passion for creating environments (living, working, or learning) that work for all people and believes that partnership and collaboration is essential to achieving the desired outcome.