Hawai'i Association for Behavior Analysis

To educate, advocate for, and support both providers and consumers 
of Applied Behavior Analysis.
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Welcome to the Hawai'i Association for Behavior Analysis 

Our Mission Statement: 

To educate, advocate for, and support both providers and consumers of Applied Behavior Analysis.

The Hawai’i Association for Behavior Analysis (HABA) is a professional organization dedicated to the practice, research, and dissemination of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). HABA’s mission is to expand behavioral knowledge, advocate for community needs, support service providers and parents, educate community leaders, and promote the advancement of behavior analysis locally. HABA works diligently on legislative and policy issues that impact our community (e.g., autism insurance, behavior analyst licensure, sustainability initiatives) and aims to educate local policymakers about our science. HABA offers several in person- and online- workshops for educators, parents, students, and practitioners. In addition, every Fall, HABA hosts an annual convention located on Oahu.

2018 Hawai'i Association for Behavior Analysis Board Members, Chairs, & Reps



President


Kathleen Penland, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA 

president@hawaiiaba.org


Kathleen is the Clinical Educator for BAYADA’s Behavioral Health Division in Hawai’i. She holds a Master’s in Special Education and completed post-graduate education in applied behavior analysis (ABA) at Penn State. Kathleen is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) specializing in treatment of autism and developmental disabilities. She has a passion for parent and community training in ABA as well as supervision of trainees pursuing Certification. 


Kathleen has served on the board and committees of the Hawai’i Association for Behavior Analysis (HABA) since 2015.

Vice President

Angela Broff, MSCP, BCBA, LBA

vicepresident@hawaiiaba.org


Angela Broff first moved from Minnesota to Hawaii in August of 2001, with some time spent in Massachusetts from 2010-2013. Ms. Broff received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has a BA in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Minnesota, with a minor in Child Psychology. She is a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA). Angela has worked with children, adolescents, families and adults with autism, developmental disabilities, and various mental health diagnoses for over 18 years.  Her experience has been across various settings including private homes, group homes, hospitals, schools and various community settings. She has worked extensively in conducting functional behavioral assessments and creating effective behavior support plans. She believes in plans that are tailored to individual needs and strives to work collaboratively with all members of the treatment team to bring positive and meaningful changes to behavior. Angela is also an Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) practitioner and eager to find more ways to help systems make changes in their routines or procedures. Some of her additional areas of interest include; making healthy choices, sustainability projects, social skills development and parent training. Ms. Broff strives to assist treatment teams and organizations to make gains in identified goal areas by focusing on reinforcing leadership behavior and identifying and reducing any potential barriers to success and growth. Ms. Broff is currently applying these principles to support and mentor colleagues both in her daily workplace as well as her local community. She hopes to draw more amazing people to this exciting science and continue to find ways to motivate others in this field to network, share stories and support one another.


Past President

Kim Wolff, M.S., BCBA, LBA

pastpresident@hawaiiaba.org


Kim P. Wolff, M.S., BCBA holds a Masters of Science in Behavior Analysis and a Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience from Simmons College in Boston, MA.  She is the founder & director of Wolff Behavioral Services, LLC. Kim became a behavior analyst because she finds it rewarding to see positive change and being able to support another person's success. She values honesty, directness, organization, data driven decisions, research, family advocacy, and effective treatment. Her area of expertise extends to providing medical desensitization consultation. She is passionate about teaching each individual to participate in medical exams and procedures to help improve their quality of life. 


Treasurer

Shanda Strickland MS, BCBA, LBA

treasurer@hawaiiaba.org


Shanda is the Clinical Director at Hawai'i Behavioral Health and has been part of the Hawai'i ABA field for 10 years.  Shanda has a passion for youth and their families as well as organization behavior management.  She participates in therapeutic foster care placement and enjoys exploring Oahu.

Secretary 

Jennifer Ninci, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA

secretary@hawaiiaba.org


Dr. Jennifer Ninci is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and she teaches courses in the applied behavior analysis programs and severe disabilities/autism teacher preparation program. She is a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D). Dr. Ninci has provided services for individuals with disabilities or behavioral problems in various settings including schools, Head Start centers, clinics, homes, and residential facilities. She has extensive experience in developing, implementing, and teaching stakeholders (e.g., teachers, caregivers) to implement educational programs and behavior intervention plans for children with developmental disabilities. Her research pertains to the education and treatment of children with developmental disabilities, including children with autism spectrum disorder and severe communication delays or intellectual disability. 

Legislative Chair

Amanda N. Kelly, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA

legislation@hawaiiaba.org


Dr. Amanda Kelly obtained her bachelors degree in Elementary Education, her masters of science in Behavioral Education, and her doctorate in Behavior Analysis. Dr. Kelly has experience working as a paraprofessional, a special education teacher, a school counselor, and as a behavior analyst. Over the past two decades in the field, Dr. Kelly has worked in-home settings, public and private schools, residential placements, and community settings for children, adolescents, and young adults who have social-emotional, cognitive, or behavioral needs. In 2016, Dr. Kelly became the first behavior analyst licensed in the state of Hawai'i. Dr. Kelly has served on several boards and committees and is currently serving on the board of the Hawai'i Disability Rights Center (HDRC) and the Hawai'i Association for Behavior Analysis (HABA). 

In addition to her expertise helping families and schools, Dr. Kelly's interests in behavior analysis extend to dissemination, organizational management, public policy, and sustainable behavior change (#nostraw4me). To learn more about Dr. Kelly and her work, please visit www.behaviorbabe.com.

Sara Dinkelo M.S., BCBA, LBA

marketing@hawaiiaba.org


Sara Dinkelo, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and state licensed behavior analyst (LBA) who has specialized in working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental delays since 2001. She completed her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from the Sage Colleges in 2013 and became a BCBA in October 2014. Currently, Sara works as a Behavior Analyst on Oahu at a clinic treating individuals with ASD across the spectrum and lifespan. Since 2016, Sara has served on Events Committee and on the HABA board as the Marketing Chair since 2017. Her professional goals include organizational behavior management, self-advocacy, adolescent and adult supports and Sustainability efforts. This year, Sara would like to work towards the use of applied behavior analysis to create social change to support sustainability efforts here in our islands. 


Events Chair

Joshua O'Kain, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

events@hawaiiaba.org


Joshua O’Kain, M.Ed., BCBA has been working with children since 2003. He currently holds a M.A. in Management and a M.Ed. in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis. Previous to his board certification, Josh began his career a music teacher. He then became a Special Education teacher for severely impacted teens and adults with autism. Josh has experiences in behavior-analytic programming in multiple settings including clinic-based, school-based, and home based services with children and young adults with a wide range of needs. Josh is currently the Clinical Director of Hawai’i and California for Team PBS, an agency that services clients across the United States. He lives with his husband and two kitties in Ewa Beach, HI.


Student Representative

Noe Kamalani, B.A., RBT

info@hawaiiaba.org


Noe Kamalani is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) who has worked with individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for over 4 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Chaminade University in 2012 and will be completing a Master’s in Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa this spring with the intent to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Noe has spent the last 2 years working in an intensive ABA clinic, but prior to that she has provided ABA services in the home, community, and public school settings. She has spent her career working with children and families in various capacities throughout Hawaii- including as a licensed early childhood educator and parent educator in private, public, and non-profit sectors.  Noe’s professional interests include: early intensive intervention, Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior, and parent training.

Parent Representatives

Please email vicepresident@hawaiiaba.org to share concerns or ideas regarding HABA's parent members.

Carla Gross, M.S.


Carla is married and has been living in Hawai'i for the last 25 years. She has over 20 years of experience working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities. With the grit and determination that won her All American honors as a swimmer and water polo player, Carla combines her education, hands on parenting, and competitive spirit as she seeks to ensure people with disabilities are treated as people, just like us, with weaknesses but also strengths, destined for their own greatness in the way they see fit. Carla describes her children, "We are blessed with 21-year-old twins that keep has quite busy. Our daughter is an athlete currently in her senior year of college. It will be strange never seeing her swim again.  Best sister ever!! Our son is the most amazing person you will ever meet. He’s been known since he was born as “ handsome devil“. It was a simple nickname that has stuck through the years. Despite his uniqueness, he is one of the happiest people around and we couldn’t be prouder of him."


Maile Rogers, Ph. D.

I grew up in Aina Haina, second oldest of 6 kids. My older brother was severely disabled, one of his diagnoses was autism, so my siblings and I grew up as advocates for him and others like him.  My husband and I have been married for 12 years, we have 3 beautiful children together, and one on the way. Our oldest is 7, and he is brilliant and kind and thoughtful, and he is also autistic.  We, as a family, are doing our best to enjoy every little milestone and take each day as it comes.

In addition to serving on the board for the Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, Maile also serves on the PAIMI Council Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness. 

Naomi Ka'ae Tachera, B.A., RBT


Naomi is a mom of three sons (15 y.o., 7 y.o., and 5 y.o.). Her two youngest sons, Kaleohano and Kaiao, both have autism. In addition to being a full-time mother, Naomi has also been completing coursework towards becoming a behavior analyst, while earning a Masters in Exceptional Student Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. She is excited for her upcoming Spring 2018 graduation. 

Naomi currently works as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for Positive Behavior Supports. She lives in Waimea on the island of Hawaiʻi. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Naomi was among the first to graduate from the first Hawaiian language and culturally driven charter school (Kanu o ka ʻĀina). Naomi has been an active advocate for her keiki and for all keiki. She has served as a HABA Parent Representative for two consecutive years. Additionally, she has served on the legislative committee for the past year and has served on the board for the Autism Society of Hawaiʻi for the past two years.

Neighbor-Island Representatives

Please email vicepresident@hawaiiaba.org to share concerns or ideas regarding HABA's neighbor-island members.

Deborah Ho’ohuli-Rosa, RBT (Maui)


Deborah is a graduate student at the University of West Florida, where she is enrolled in the Masters in Exceptional Student Education/Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Specialization program and intends to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam upon completion. Originally from West Oahu, Debi has a little over 13 years of experience working in different capacities with children, adolescents and adults with special needs and their families in the State of Hawaii. She has served clients in therapeutic living programs, forensic housing programs, group homes, alternative learning centers, military facilities, preschools, public schools, private schools, community settings and home settings. A Registered Behavior Technician(RBT) and Clinical Supervisor at a small private school in Maui, Debi’s recent professional endeavors include Parent Training/Consultation and Direct Care Staff Training.  She is committed to the dissemination and ethical implementation of behavior analysis throughout Hawai’i nei.






Joy Oliveira (Hawaiʻi Island) 


Joy is a graduate student at the University of West Florida, where she is completing coursework towards certification as a behavior analyst. Joy is a teacher who resides on the island of Hawaiʻi.

 

If you would like to find a service provider, click to access the BACB Certificant Registry search page.