In today’s BCBA feature you’ll meet Lead Program Coordinator Macarena Fernandez and hear more about her passion for ABA, and how VB’s core values and dedication are helping clients and employees alike.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role at VB?
Being able to apply the science of ABA and the analysis of Verbal Behavior to help children learn critical language and learning skills. It’s truly a blessing to be able to change the lives of children and their families.
What’s the best part about working for VB?
The dedication that the company has to its employees, especially the investment in our education by providing free CEU events, professional development benefits, and inviting amazing speakers such as Dr. Carbone and Dr. Catania to further our conceptual and applied knowledge. The company also really values its personal relationship with its employees as Diana and Nick (Co-CEOs) frequently reach out to us for basic check-ins, organize social events (even virtually), and set up town halls to update us on major company changes.
How have you seen VB’s Core Values in action this last year?
Education: As I mentioned, VB has recently invited amazing contributors to the field to do CEUs, workshops, and/or meet and greets for us with Dr. Charles Catania, Dr. Patrick McGreevy, and Manny Rodriguez. In October 2019, we had the honor of having Dr. Vincent Carbone put on a two-day workshop on advanced topics in ABA and Verbal Behavior for BCBAs and general training for ABATs.
Innovation/Inspiration/Dissemination: The Company is always encouraging us to pursue research, think outside the box for effective and evidence-based teaching procedures, and present posters at conferences (even virtually in 2020).
Collaboration: At the center, collaboration has been a goal these first few months of 2021 as Leadership has established training and resources for Clinical Supervisors to know how and when to reach out to related services, such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and also pediatricians. Effective and frequent collaboration is critical to the development of our clients (child and caretakers alike) so it is important that as BCBAs we are able to collaborate with related services to make intervention effective and fluid.
What surprised you the most when you first started out at VB?
Learning about insurance! 🙂
What keeps you coming back each day?
The children, their families, and the people I work with (both my colleagues, my supervisors, and our ABATs).
What would you say to those just starting out their careers in ABA?
Passion is everything. This science is so powerful and there is so much to learn so stay curious! How lucky are we to be able to directly apply a natural science with abundant literature so we can change the lives of so many people? The world is your oyster- ABA opens a world of innovation!
Want to join Macarena and be part of the Verbal Beginnings Team? Check out our Careers page or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more!
