Commission on Behavioral Applications

Introduction

Contributors and organizations that endorse science based practices in studying an solving behavior problems support the Center. Adherence to the standards of science and the use of documented outcomes set standards and give legitimacy and credibility to the Center.

The CCBS Commission on Behavioral Applications (CBA) will accredit organizations and programs whose underlying theory and operations are consistent with a science based behavioral approach.

CBA certification or accreditation will communicate that:

• Behavioral approaches are imbedded throughout relevant management, training and service systems in the applicant organization or program,
• Current technologies are being utilized,
• Appropriately credentialed staff are responsible for the design and implementation of services,
• Behavioral approaches have been utilized by the applicant for a sufficient period prior to their application to demonstrate appropriate levels of commitment and experience,
• Behavioral approaches are in place at the time of the review,
• There is evidence of program effectiveness.

• Imply a supervisory relationship between applicants for accreditation and the Cambridge Center or the CBA and its validation teams,
• Duplicate local, state or federal regulatory requirements; accreditation teams should not become mired in discussions pertaining to facilities, financial operations, or regulatory requirements that do not conflict with a behavioral approach,
• Guarantee outcomes,
• Imply a depth of review beyond the capacity of the accreditation teams,
• Reflect performance beyond the time of the review; e.g., the well-worn caveat appearing on all mutual funds, "past experience should not be relied upon as a predictor of future performance."

Benefits to -

     Consumers

• Gain the opportunity to recognize and select organizations and programs implementing science-based behavioral practices.

• Build pride that results from a successful independent review of their operations,
• Gain valuable learning that results from the feedback generated in an accreditation review; information that will guide internal improvements,
• Develop marketplace distinctions and competitive advantages that result from the validation of program quality.

• Advances the fulfillment of its mission: To advance the scientific study of behavior and its humane applications in society.

Discussion and Specific Applications of Accreditation

An organization who achieves accreditation from the Cambridge Center's Commission on Behavioral Applications will earn the privilege of applying a "label" along the lines of the Intel Inside label affixed to a computer casing, or the well known 'Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.' The label will confirm that as an independent third party, the Cambridge Center's CBA, reviewed the applicant's underlying theory and applications to ensure they were consistent with a science-based behavioral approach.

There are many parallels to this kind of accreditation in health care and education; e.g., accreditation of graduate programs by American Psychological Association and the Association for Behavior Analysis, the accreditation of hospitals by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals; National Council for Teacher Accreditation, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and more.

Economic viability

An informed consumer has the power to be a selective consumer who can make evidence-based choices of products and services. This has already been demonstrated in autism treatment and is a growing pattern in the broader field of behavior-based clinical services.

In making decisions about clinical services, parents and those with purchasing authority in service providing organizations should not be expected to be experts in behavioral theory. However they will benefit from assistance in distinguishing between those programs that claim to implement behavioral approaches and those with the resources to satisfy their claims. Consumers are increasingly "voting with their feet" and migrating to programs that can demonstrate their effectiveness.

Specific applications

1. Behavioral safety
2. Clinical services
3. Science based instruction; e.g., reading and math

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