Hopebridge Behavior Analyst Fellowship Program Provides On-the-Job Training and Career Advancement

BAF Students Gain Restricted and Unrestricted Hours While Becoming a BCBA

The children we serve at Hopebridge Autism Therapy centers are at the heart of everything we do. These kiddos on the spectrum – and others with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the country – deserve the best possible care, which starts with the behavior analysts and therapists who make the magic happen.

In an effort to provide access to quality applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) to more individuals with autism, it’s part of our mission to cultivate our Hopebridge Heroes right here at home in our centers. In addition to focusing on continuing education opportunities for our team members, we developed an unmatched Behavior Analyst Fellowship (BAF) program for Hopebridge employees on their paths to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). The program is set up for students to excel at work and in their studies as they attend graduate school and prepare for the BCBA exam.

The fellowship program is an opportunity for high-performing Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) and other employees to further develop their professional careers in behavior analysis while advancing through the Hopebridge ABA department. We strive to provide best-in-class supervision and create an effective and efficient pathway for students to become top-notch BCBAs … while sparking their enthusiasm about the field at the same time!

7 Key Benefits of the Hopebridge BAF Program

BAF is unlike any other student program in the nation. With help from Hopebridge’s extensive background in the ABA arena and autism community, our hope and vision is to provide a space where budding BCBAs encounter inspiring education experiences with children and colleagues that they won’t find anywhere else.

What is it that sets Hopebridge apart? Beyond all the perks of a paid, full-time RBT position (complete with benefits!) in our centers, here are some of the bonus reasons why students choose to work at Hopebridge while studying to become a BCBA:

• Time to obtain restricted hours – while on the job!
  While working toward becoming a behavior analyst, most students must make time for supervised field experience outside of their regular jobs as RBTs. To set up our team members for success, we feel it’s important they have the opportunity to obtain their BCBA fieldwork requirements while working their normal direct therapy roles in our centers. Our BAF program allows them to do this simultaneously.
  
• Opportunity to obtain unrestricted hours
  One of the main questions we hear from students is, “how can I collect unrestricted hours to become a BCBA?” As many potential BCBAs have learned, opportunities for unrestricted, BACB acceptable activities can be difficult to come by, so we incorporated them into the BAF program at Hopebridge. BAF students have the opportunity to meet the requirements that fall outside of direct therapy, such as developing plans of care and behavior intervention plans and conducting assessments. This includes some opportunities to gain hours while on the clock, whether they choose to work full-time or part-time jobs with us.
  
• Supervision from multiple BCBAs
  Rather than learning from only one supervisor for the full 1,500-2,000 hours, BAF students are mentored by multiple leaders during their time in Hopebridge’s program. This helps Hopebridge stand out, as our students’ expertise as BCBAs does not hinge solely on the one person training them. The BAF program’s layered supervision includes working with several in-center BCBAs, plus virtual support at the regional and corporate levels to ensure competency. By working closely with supervisors who have a multi-dimensional range of passions and experiences, we are able to provide a variety of viewpoints and a well-rounded representation of behavior analysis.
  
• Free supervision hours with no strings attached
  You already know about the opportunities to receive BCBA fieldwork hours at Hopebridge, but did you know they are also free? Quality, supervised fieldwork is available at our centers, and we never make our students pay for their valuable hours.
  
• Free access to key BACB Exam study materials
  Studying for the exam is a big part of becoming a BCBA. We want our employees to thrive, so not only does our program require the completion of some of the best BCBA exam study tools – the BDS Modules and FIT Mock exam – but Hopebridge purchases them at no cost to our employees. The free BACB study tools are extra perks of the Hopebridge BAF program.
  
• Support from other BAF students
  In addition to individual supervision with clients, Hopebridge BAF students receive group supervision and support from each other in a structured format. The program’s cohort structure places students together, much like their own virtual classroom. By connecting our students through tiered groups based on the number of hours they’ve accrued, we are able to create intimate, close-knit experiences within our broader autism service network.
  
• Career advancement as a BCBA with Hopebridge
  We love to see our students get excited about their experience at Hopebridge, and we’re equally as excited to have them stay with us long-term! Most of our BAF students find their passion while serving as Hopebridge Heroes in our centers that they ultimately choose to continue to grow their career with us as BCBAs, too. We are happy to offer a position to every BAF student who remains in good standing. Though the majority of our students opt to remain with us for the long haul, we stand by our no-strings-attached supervision hours, which means our BAF program does not require post-certification employment contracts from our students.

Hear from BAF Students

Don’t just take our word for it. Here is what some of our current and recent BAF students had to say about the program:

“As someone paying out of pocket for my master’s degree, it is a huge financial relief to be able to accumulate my supervision hours while working as an RBT. I also appreciate the growth within the company that the BAF program supports. I feel blessed with a super supportive clinic manager and BCBA staff and enjoy working with them, not only as an employee, but as a student.”

Jen F., RBT, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Mason, Ohio

“The BAF program is unlike any other internship experience. The program allows for supervision hours within the clinic and through specialized assignments and group meetings that utilize the principles of ABA. The program is well organized in tiers based on supervision hours already obtained and bases its monthly assignments on the expectations and experience needed while working in the field as a BCBA.”

Jennifer A., RBT, Hopebridge Autism Therapy in Columbus, Georgia

“Two complaints I have read online from other external BCBA candidates are that it is difficult to accrue indirect hours and that they feel unprepared for the BCBA exam. In my experience, Hopebridge’s BAF program was able to solve both of these dilemmas. Plus, I was able to pass the BCBA exam the first time! One and done! A large portion of the credit was that Hopebridge gave access to BDS Modules and the FIT exam through the BAF program. I have not heard of any other company providing these supports to candidates free of charge. Any company that provides these kinds of resources to each and every person who qualifies and applies for the BAF program is one that is committed to the growth and support of its employees!”
Heather G., RBT Fellow, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Miamisburg, Ohio

“The BAF program has been the best experience thus far. I was new to this field and halfway into coursework, but had not yet gained any hours and was not sure how to go about it until I joined the fellowship program. There is so much academic refreshment while attending to the applied content. I have found great support in the leaders of the program and highly encourage others to join.”

Daniella G., RBT Fellow, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Glendale, Arizona

“Having the opportunity to build and grow my skill set in an environment that is welcoming has been incredible. The support I had from all aspects (the families, RBTs, center management and BCBAs) has allowed me to become more confident in my current role and my future role as a BCBA. Being able to practice my behavior analytical skills in my Fellow role while being able to continue providing therapy allowed me to see the ins and outs of programming and see the implementation of it.”

Michelle B., RBT Fellow, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in South Bend, Indiana

“What I found most valuable is having the sense of connectedness that comes from building a work community that is supportive of your success with ABA skills development. It gives you the incentive and focus you need to get through the homestretch of accumulating hours to sit for the exam. Most ABA companies will require non-compete clauses within their contracts or employees may be subjected to a reduction in their hourly rate as a way of ‘compensating’ the company for providing BCBA supervision … Hopebridge has required none of these stipulations; freely allowing employees access to valuable services without the financial burden.”

Mary C., RBT, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Mason, Ohio

“The Hopebridge team developed an effective program that allows students to gain much-needed unrestricted hours through assignments that are applicable to a career as a BCBA. Students who enroll in the BAF program have the opportunity to practice developing skills such as writing a behavior intervention plan, reading and analyzing articles and collaborating with peers. Having opportunities to gain real-world experience is pivotal to a successful career. Hopebridge offers a well-rounded program that cannot be found from other external programs.”

Cristy B., RBT and ABA Trainer, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Terre Haute, Indiana

“The BAF program has gone hand-in-hand with my classes. It has given me the hands-on experience and in-depth discussions to advance me in the field of ABA.”

Breelyn P., RBT, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Glendale, Arizona

“When I decided to pursue a career as a BCBA, I had no idea where to start or what I was doing. Thanks to my leadership team at Jeffersonville and those who had previously been part of BAF, I found my way to this wonderful program and began working on my restricted and unrestricted hours. The thing I love the most about this program is the support system it gave me while on this journey to become a BCBA. Our cohorts are full of people who are driven by the same goals and are willing to help whenever needed. Although the program is a lot of work, you aren’t in it alone and there are so many people rooting for your success.”

Amber D., RBT, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Apply to the Hopebridge BAF Program

Does BAF and a  job at Hopebridge sound interesting to you? To join the fellowship program, students must first become employees at Hopebridge. This program is designed for students who are also RBTs–we can provide that training, as well, if they are not already credentialed. To be considered for the BAF program, students must have six or more months working with autism in ABA or special education settings, plus submit a transcript, BAF application and résumé. We offer open enrollment every other month.

To join the Hopebridge team, check out the open positions in our autism therapy centers throughout the United States to take the next step in your BCBA career.

*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC.