Francine B. Baffa, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA Highly experienced, innovative, and student-focused professional and faculty member with proven success as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Special Education Teacher w Speaker with a dynamic ability to educate students in instructional design, intervention implementation, and positive behavior supports w Seasoned leader offering a strong commitment to professional development along with capabilities in leading robust educational programs at universities, school districts, and public agencies w Skillful clinician and accomplished administrator with in-depth experience in teaching, research, and leading teams w Field supervisor attuned to cultural environment in education placement and intervention techniques Areas of Expertise Autism Curricula Development BCBA Supervision Student Field Advisement Assistive Technology Self- Determination Global Presence Evidence-Based Practice Staff Training Special Education Transition Planning Inclusive Programming Applied Behavior Analysis Education Teachers College, Columbia University PhD in Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Master of Arts in Teaching College of Arts and Science, Cornell University Bachelor of Arts in English Licenses and Certification Board Certified Behavior Analyst (1-04-1979) Licensed Behavior Analyst ( NY 000321) Administrative 092 (CT)/SAS,SDA(NY) Certified Teacher PreK-6 CT/NY Certified Special Education - PreK-12 CT/NY Faculty Experience 8/2013- Present Visiting Assistant Professor Ball State University 1/2015- Present Adjunct Professor Fordham University 8/2013- Present Adjunct Professor/Field Advisor and Student Teaching Facilitator Sage Colleges 8/2009-8/2012 Adjunct Professor Teachers College, Columbia University 9/2007-12/2008 Adjunct Professor
2 Courses SPE 5573 Intro to Autism and Low Incidence Disabilities: Teaching and Instructional Practice EDU 5540 Intro to Applied Behavior Analysis EDU 5541 Ethics and Applied Behavior Analysis EDU 5545 Advanced Topics in ABA and Autism Interventions Ball State University SPCE 609 Introduction to Behavior Modification SPCE 619 Ethics Fordham University PSGE 6324 Environments for Managing Challenging Behavior CTGE 5165 Consultation and Co- Teaching in Collaborative Classrooms Developed: ED 578 Gifted and Talented ED 515 Curriculum & Leadership in Elementary Schools Sage College ABA 601 Professional Practice and ABA ABA 605 Ethics and Applied Behavior Analysis ABA 607 Ethics ABA 512 Clinical Practicum ABA 520 Interventions in Autism ABA 525 Social Communication ABA 526 Early Learning Activities and Academics ABA 615 Research Seminar
Career History 10/2013-Present Professional summary Graduate level instructor for ABA course. Program supervisor responsible for course development and compliance review that core sequence contents meets BCBA/BCaBA current TASK List. Contributed to the course sequence and content material for proposed Master program in Applied Behavior Analysis. Assisted in the planning of 5-year program to include BCaBA course work with undergrad psychology and education majors. Advise students on coursework and path of study. Organized college based supervision program for exam candidates. Coordinated group supervision and adjunct staff. Integrated Behavior and Educational Services and Training 6/2006-Present Founder/Independent Consultant Provides in-home and school site ABA program development and delivery for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder combined with family and community training and support. Organizes and conducts quantitatively and qualitatively measured social pragmatics programs for adolescents with ASD and related disorders designed to facilitate play, social interactions with peers, and promote skill generalization. Serves as a consultant to school districts for program initiatives in social skills development and district wide and individual program design for students with ASD. Staff training and supervision, and planning and oversight of treatment programs for children with disabilities in inclusive and small group settings in private schools and public sector. Coordinates with outside agencies and state funded programs to develop effective in home programs and community supports for students with specific behavioral challenges and supports their families in both settings. Supervise candidates for Board certification in the field of behavior analysis. Greenwich Public Schools, Greenwich, CT Special Education Teacher Coach/Consultant Planned and coordinated educational policies for specific subject area or grade level. Modified curriculum for students in inclusive settings, preschool through high school. Designed and conducted social skills training for students to enhance their social interactions and awareness through verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Conferred with lay and professional groups to disseminate and receive input on teaching methods. Developed programs for in-service education of teaching personnel. Interpreted and enforced provisions of state education codes and rules and regulations of State Board of Education. Conducted and participated in workshops, committees, and conferences designed to promote intellectual, social, and physical welfare of students. 3
Stamford Public Schools, Stamford, CT Special Education Teacher Coach/Consultant 4 Designed a pre-school program for students with autism and other developmental disabilities, the training of all classroom staff and related services providers, creation and updating of all student programs, organization and conducting of parent training program. Successfully piloted elementary program for students with autism spectrum disorder utilizing a comprehensive applied behavioral analysis and verbal behavior approach. Worked in collaboration with service providers to promote and build capacity at the family and team level to design, implement and sustain a Best Practices Curriculum. Community Leadership Provide behavioral supports and family/staff trainings: v Abilis v Easter Seals v SARAH Tuxis v March of Dimes v Department of Children and Family Services v Department of Developmental Services Awards SARAH Award of Excellence 2013 Recognized for proving service for transition and staff training to facilitate independence and community involvement for young adults with developmental disabilities. Professional Affiliations Association of Behavior Analysts International (ABAI) Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Research Initiatives and Publications Cultural Implementation of Behavioral Supports Functional Behavior Assessments to Guide Instructional Practice Goal Setting as a Means to Greater Self-Determined Learners Using Self-Evaluation to Foster Independence among Middle School Students Baffa, Francine. (2013). Self-Determination Instructional Delivery. Autism Open Access
Workshops, Training & Presentations 5 2013-2014 A series of on-line interactive webinars designed to address a variety of topics including; problem behavior, transitions, tantrums, social communication and sibling and peer relationships. Stamford Public Schools 2003 This full day interactive workshop was designed for teachers assistants and monitors on the use of applied behavior analysis in the classroom. Terminology, principles of behavior analysis and behavior modification procedures were discussed. 2009 Greenwich Public Schools Staff development workshop on treating problem behavior in school settings for school psychologists and special education teachers as part of an ISP team. This workshop focused on the analysis of problem behavior and the development of treatment plans for children with severe problem behavior. 2010 Wallingford Public Shcools This two day didactic training for school psychologists and social workers focused on how to create a good FBA and BIP based on state regulation and best practice. Additional topics included using behavior analysis in the classroom and how psychologists can help their teachers learn new behavior analytic skills. New Canaan Public Schools 2010 How to Teach Social Skills - A two day in-service discussion of how to teach social skills to children with Autism of various functioning levels. Topics included eye contact, conversation skills and polite verbal behavior. 2011 Trumbull Public Schools Applied Behavior Analysis: How to increase appropriate student behavior and decrease inappropriate student behavior. A professional development workshop for school psychologists, and teachers. 2011-2014 SpedNet Transitioning: How to teach your child to transition. A parent workshop discussing why children engage in problem behavior during transitions and how parents can teach their children to transition well; Parents received a group workshop on changing child problem behavior. Topics included learning to determine the cause of problem behavior and procedures to change such behavior; Homework and beyond: How to increase behavior. A parent workshop discussing the use of reinforcement procedures to increase appropriate child behavior.
6 SARAH Tuxis 2014 Parents of children with Autism received group training on the implementation of behavior analytic techniques for changing problem behavior, including open discussions involving treating individual problem behaviors. 2013 SARAH TUXIS Direct care staff were presented with a description of school based consultation services, including data collection, home and school communication issues, setting up program books and developing behavior intervention plans. 2013 March of Dimes Do you know your ABA?" The basic principles of and some misconceptions about Applied Behavior Analysis. A half-day presentation for parents of children with various developmental disabilities and teachers that work in special education settings. The basic principles of ABA were described in an open forum.