NeuroRestorative Florida behavior analysts Jon Jaberg and Deb Westerlund were recently presented the University of Southern Florida’s (USF) Department of Child and Family Studies Community Partner Award for their exceptional work with graduate students in the university’s Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s program.
NeuroRestorative Florida’s program in Clearwater first started working with USF’s Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s program in 2009. As part of the partnership, USF graduate students spend at least one school semester with the Clearwater program.
“The students work on various projects with NeuroRestorative participants, including reducing unwanted behaviors, increasing desirable replacement behaviors, training staff in behavioral interventions, and measuring the effectiveness of behavioral strategies,” said Jaberg.
USF students enrolled in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program participate in the NeuroRestorative program to meet requirements to complete their master’s degree. The time they spend with the Clearwater program also counts toward their eligibility to sit for the certification exam administered by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board.
As NeuroRestorative Behavior Analysts, Jaberg and Westerlund supervise the students during their time with NeuroRestorative. They also spend at least one hour each week meeting with each student individually—helping them define their projects and monitoring the implementation and progress of each.
“Our program’s affiliation with the University has been a source of real enrichment. From a personal perspective, I have found our work with students to be the most rewarding experience professionally,” said Jaberg.
“I enjoy helping our students gain the experiences that will shape them as behavior analysts in the future. I learn from them every time and I hope they can also learn from the years of experience I have. It’s a privilege to mentor students and my responsibility to the field of behavior analysis to give back some of what has been given to me over my career development,” said Westerlund.