Jennifer L. Harris, Ph.D., LMFT, BCBA-D Founder Executive Director E DUCATION St. Cloud State University Completed Coursework for BCBA-D Certification, 2006 University of Southern California Doctor of Philosophy. Educational Psychology, 2003 Pepperdine University Dissertation: Treatment Intensity Predicts Outcome in Young Autistic Children Receiving ABA Intervention (Robert Rueda, Ph.D., Chair) Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology, 1997 Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 1993 P ROFESSIONAL L ICENSE & C ERTIFICATION Board of Behavioral Sciences Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#41359) Behavior Analyst Certification Board Board Certified Behavior Analyst- Doctorate (#1-08-4153) P ROFESSIONAL E XPERIENCE FirstSteps for Kids, Inc. 2004 Present Executive Director Responsible for the organization and supervision of all FirstSteps activities, program design and implementation, intake evaluation and assessment, parent training programming, and supervision and oversight of FirstSteps program directors. Guest Speaker Providing training and research presentations at educational conferences, parent organizations, teacher in-services, and mental health agencies
Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. 1992-2002 Regional Director International Supervisor Responsible for supervision of all Case Supervisors in California, North Carolina, Washington, and Washington DC. Also, responsible for treatment planning of local clients and supervision of case therapy staffs. Assisted in all aspects of company operations. Traveled to all offices to oversee ABA programs of local clients. Responsible for supervision of all Case Supervisors working abroad. Traveled to England and Australia on a regular basis to oversee the ABA programs of clients served. Guest Lecturer Provided training workshops domestically and abroad to parent groups, school districts, & mental health agencies. Clinic Supervisor Responsible for the treatment design and program oversight for all clients receiving services from CARD. Senior Therapist Provided 1:1 in-home and in-school ABA for approximately 20 children diagnosed with autism and related disorders. Autism Coalition for Creative Educational and Social Services 1996-1997 MFT Intern Provided consultation to families and assisted in the treatment planning for children with autism and related disorders. Clinic for the Behavioral Treatment of Children UCLA 1991-1993 Senior Therapist Therapist Functioned as lead therapist for children receiving ABA services from the UCLA autism project under the direction of Dr. Ivar Lovaas. Trained and directed therapy teams to provide and implement ABA programs. Conducted ABA therapy with children diagnosed with autism. The Rader Institute 1991 Crisis Counselor Provided telephone counseling to individuals suffering with eating disorders. Provided telephone counseling to victims of sexual abuse.
P ROFESSIONAL S ERVICE California Association for Behavior Analysis: Board of Directors 2013 Present Professional Associations Liaison (Elected Position) Responsible for facilitating collaboration and communication that promotes an exchange of information and enrichment of professionals in the behavior analytic community. Southern California Liaison (Elected Position) Responsible for creating opportunities for Cal ABA members and potential Cal ABA members to communicate the professional needs and interests of Southern California behavior analysts to the Cal ABA Board of Directors. Responsible for ensuring such topics are reviewed and addressed by the Association and any related action taken by the Association is communicated back to the general membership. Behavior Analysis in Practice Guest Reviewer California Consortium of Behavior Analysis 2016- Present Public Policy Committee 2014-2015 Board of Directors Executive Committee: Secretary (Elected Position) 2013 2014 Executive Committee: Secretary (Elected Position) Westside Regional Center Responsible for promoting the highest standards of behavior analysis, community awareness, and business practices, and monitoring legislation and research that impact the practice of behavior analysis. ASD Learning Collaborative 2005 - Present On-going participation in the monthly focus group comprised of experts in the field of education, social work, medicine, psychology, and behavior analysis with the purpose of interagency commitment and planning to improve the screening, diagnosis, assessment, and service delivery for all persons diagnosed with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Guest Reviewer 2006- Present
R ESEARCH E XPERIENCE University of Southern California 1999-2001 Research Assistant: California Writing Project Examined the efficacy of an early literacy teacher training program for children attending first, second, and third grades within the Burbank Unified School District, under the direction of Dr. Agnes Lin. University of California, Los Angeles 1992-1993 Research Assistant: UCLA Autism Project Investigated the effectiveness of behavior intervention when applied to several populations of developmentally delayed children, under the direction of Dr. Tristam Smith. Research Assistant: Department of Psychology Conducted subject interviews and compiled data for the studies examining the effects of pregnancy and childbirth upon the marital relationship, under the direction of Dr. Ann Peplau. Conducted subject interviews, compiled research, and assisted in data analysis for studies examining social referencing in college students, under the direction of Dr. Shelly Taylor. P ROFESSIONAL P RESENTATIONS Harris, J., Sush, D., Baldassano, F., & Contreras, D. (2014, February). Service with a Smile: The relation of a fun work environment and service delivery. Paper presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis 32nd Annual Western Regional Conference on Behavior Analysis, Burlingame, CA. Harris, J. and Deurmier, L. (2010, February). A review of executive functioning in childhood. Paper presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference, Irvine, Ca. Harris, J., dedomenico, R., & Brownfield, L. (2007, May). Expanding Our Focus to Include Executive Functioning Skill Training: ASD children learn to plan, problem solve, and self-monitor. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, San Diego, CA. Stoddard, L., dedomenico, R., & Harris, J. (2007, May). Promoting Varied Pretend Play Repertoires in Children with Autism. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, San Diego, CA. Stoddard, L., dedomenico, R., & Harris, J. (2007, February). Promoting Varied Pretend Play Repertoires in Children with Autism. Paper presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Harris, J. & Brownfield, L. (2006, May). Enhancing Child and Family Outcomes: A model for Parent Education, Collaboration, and Community Outreach. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, Atlanta, GE. Brownfield, L. & Harris, J. (2006, May). Knowing - A practical approach to teaching perspectivetaking as applied to advanced conversation skills. Paper presented as part of the Knowledge and Motivation and Autism Intervention session at the Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, Atlanta, GE. Brownfield, L., & Harris, J. (2006, February). You Know What I Mean? - Training in the Concept of 'Knowing' and Generalizing to Social-Communicative Interactions. Paper presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, San Francisco, CA. Harris, J. (2005, May). Starting-out Strong: Treatment Intensity Predicts Outcome. Paper presented as part of an International Symposium at the Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, Chicago, Il. Harris, J. (2005, February; 2005, May). Starting-out Strong: Treatment Intensity Predicts Outcome Paper presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference, Dana Point, CA. I NVITED P ANEL D ISCUSSIONS ABA Speaker Series: Professional Issues in Practice. California State University, Northridge, 2015. Professional Conduct of Emerging Behavior Analysts: Employers' Perspectives. California State University, Northridge, 2015. Diverse Pathways in Education. USC Rossier School of Education, Annual Leadership Conference, 2015. I NVITED P RESENTATIONS Harris, J., Lanagan, T., Tarbox, C., & Yates, B. (2012). Applied Behavior Analysis; Effective and Attainable. Invited presentation at California Lutheran University. Harris, J., Stoddard, L., & Hagglund, A. (2011). Starting out Strong: Intensive ABA Intervention for Autism and Other Developmental Disorders. Invited presentation for Support for Families with Children with Disabilities, San Francisco, CA. Harris, J. and Stoddard, L. (2009, January). Parent Education 101: Parents are part of the treatment team too! Invited presentation for Los Angeles Families for Effective Autism Treatment, Manhattan Beach, CA Harris, J. & Stoddard, L. (2007, March). Enhancing child and family outcomes: Parents are part of the treatment team too! Invited presentation for Los Angeles Families for Effective Autism Treatment, Hermosa Beach, CA.
Harris, J. & Brownfield, L. (2005, October). On the road to positive outcomes: Leave early, stay on course, and use a great map. Invited presentation for Los Angeles Families for Effective Autism Treatment, Manhattan Beach, CA. Harris, J., Brownfield, L., & dedomenico, R. (2005, September). Expanding language skills using applied behavior analysis (ABA). Invited presentation for the Autism Society of America, Greater Long Beach / South Bay Chapter, Torrance, CA. Harris, J., Brownfield, L., & dedomenico, R. (2005, March). Enhancing education: Strategies for the home and classroom. Address presented at the meeting of the Montessori of Manhattan Beach Parent Teacher Organization, Manhattan Beach, CA. Harris, J. & Brownfield, L. (2005, September). Expanding Language Skills using Applied Behavior Analysis. Invited address presented at the Autism Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter. Harris, J., Brownfield, L., & dedomenico, R. (2005, March). Enhancing education: Strategies for the Home and Classroom Environments. Address presented at Montessori of Manhattan Beach Parent Teacher Organization, Manhattan Beach, CA. Harris, J. (1998). A Review of ABA Best Practices. Address presented at Parents for Early Autistic Children s Health, London, UK. Harris, J. (1997). Teaching Autistic Children in the Classroom. Virginia Beach Special Education Unit, In-service training, VA. Harris, J. (1997). Going to School & Being Effective. Address presented at the Los Angeles Chapter of Families for Early Autism Treatment. Harris, J. (1996). The Application of Applied Behavior Analysis for the Treatment of Autism in Young Children. Address presented at the Geneva Center s Autism Conference, Toronto, Ontario. P OSTER P RESENTATIONS AT P ROFESSIONAL M EETINGS Gallo, L., Mock, P., & Harris, J., (2007, February). Can Verbal Imitation Increase Spontaneous Manding in Autistic Children? Poster presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, San Francisco, CA. Lanagan, C., Gaudet, J., & Harris, J. (2007, May). Increasing Social Initiations in Preschoolers with Autism: The use of a tactile prompt in the playground setting. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, San Diego, CA. Mauch, L. & Harris, J. (2007, February). Does Need Predict Service Allocation? Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis Autism Conference, Boston, MA. Harris, J., Brownfield, L., & Granpeesheh, D. (2001, February). The Center for Autism and Related Disorders: Providing individualized ABA programs to children worldwide. Poster presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference, Redondo Beach, CA. Harris, J., Brownfield, L., & Laitinen, R. (2000, May). The Center for Autism and Related Disorders:
Providing ABA to children worldwide. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, Washington D.C. T EACHING E XPERIENCE The University of California, Los Angeles April - Dec 1993 Teaching Assistant Assisted in the instruction of lecture courses in Behavior Modification Therapy. Also, provided weekly enrichment sections for undergraduate students enrolled in these lectures under the supervision of Dr. Tristam Smith & Dr. Ivar Lovaas. Autism Coalition for Creative Education and Social Services Feb. - April 1996 N EWS M EDIA Behavioral Consultant / Trainer Trained volunteer staff to administer behavioral treatment to children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Harris, J. (2013). Autism and the Law: SB 946 helps families fund treatment. Autism Bay Area Magazine. H ONORS AND A WARDS Distinguished Dissertation Award, University of Southern California Dean s List, University of Southern California Dean s List, Pepperdine University Dean s List, University of California, Los Angeles P ROFESSIONAL M EMBERSHIPS & A FFILIATIONS The Association for Behavior Analysis, International The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts The California Association for Behavior Analysis The California Consortium of Behavior Analysis California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Autism Speaks