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ARIZONA ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

CHANDLER, AZ · EIN 461447494 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE F03 · Mental Health & Crisis Intervention · Small ($100K-$1M) · azaba.org
revenue
$181K
expenses
$135K
net assets
$174K
employees
mission · from form 990

See Schedule O

profile · synthesized from sources

The Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AzABA) is a professional association dedicated to advancing the science and practice of applied behavior analysis in Arizona. It supports behavior analysts through professional development, advocacy, and ethical guidance, with a strong focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The organization serves practitioners and agencies in the state while engaging in public policy and social justice initiatives related to disability rights and behavioral health.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee
Hosts free CEU events, conducts internal DEI assessments, reviews organizational bylaws for inclusive language, and develops educational content on anti-oppression frameworks and equitable practices in ABA
Ethics Portal
Offers members access to ethical guidance and resources to support responsible practice in applied behavior analysis
Free EDI CEU Events
Provides free continuing education units for members and non-members featuring speakers from historically marginalized groups, focused on equity-centered practice and intersectional approaches to care
Position Statements and Advocacy Initiatives
Develops and issues public position statements on critical issues such as reproductive rights, use of electric shock in treatment, and autism acceptance to influence policy and professional practice
activities · 8 groups

what they do

  • Internal Equity Committee Development 6 activities
    • Developing Policies and Procedures
      Created a standard Policy on Discrimination and Harassment and established policies for equitable honorariums for invited speakers at the annual conference and for Special Interest Group and Committee Guest Speakers.
    • EDI Policy Development and Institutional Reform
      Drafted a 2022 guiding statement on EDI acknowledging systemic racism and bias in ABA; created a Policy on Discrimination and Harassment; and established equitable speaker honorarium policies to promote fairness in organizational practices.
    • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives
      Established an EDI Committee to address social injustice and systemic oppression within the ABA community, conducting trainings and reviewing bylaws to ensure inclusive practices.
    • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives
      Established an EDI Committee in 2020 with subcommittees and vision; conducts internal DEI assessments, reviews organizational bylaws for inclusive language, provides DEI training for leadership, and hosts free EDI-focused CEU events featuring speakers from marginalized communities.
    • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives
      Established an EDI Committee to address social injustice and inequities within the ABA community, drafting guiding statements on EDI, reviewing bylaws for inclusive language, conducting internal board trainings, and hosting free EDI Continuing Education Unit (CEU) events for members and non-members.
    • Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
      Established an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee to address social injustice and inequities within the ABA community. This includes drafting guiding statements, reviewing bylaws for biases, conducting internal board trainings, and hosting free EDI-focused CEU events for members and non-members.
  • Healthcare Professional Advocacy 5 activities
    • Advocacy for Behavior Analysis
      Serves as an advisor to political, legislative, and policy-making bodies on matters related to behavior analysis in Arizona, working on issues affecting practice, legislation, and funding regulations.
    • Advocacy for Behavior Analysis Policy and Legislation
      Advises political, legislative, and policy-making bodies on matters related to behavior analysis in Arizona, working on issues affecting the practice of behavior analysis in legislation, licensing, and funding regulations. This includes building relationships with policymakers, communicating legislative issues, crafting position statements, and collaborating with state autism councils.
    • Advocacy for Behavior Analysis Policy and Legislation
      Advises political, legislative, and policy-making bodies on matters related to behavior analysis in Arizona, working on issues affecting the practice of behavior analysis in legislation, licensing, and funding regulations. This includes building relationships with policymakers, communicating legislative issues, crafting position statements, and collaborating with state autism councils and legislative consultants.
    • Legislative and Regulatory Advisory Role
      Serves as an advisor to political, legislative, and regulatory bodies on matters related to behavior analysis in Arizona, including collaboration with the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners on licensure issues.
    • Public Policy and Advocacy Engagement
      Operates a Public Policy Committee that monitors legislation, licensing, and funding regulations; builds relationships with policymakers; drafts position statements; and collaborates with state autism councils and external partners to influence policy and raise public awareness.
  • Professional Development & Certification Programs 4 activities
    • Continuing Education Opportunities
      Offers free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) events to members and hosts events on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) topics, featuring speakers from historically marginalized groups.
    • Continuing Education and Professional Development
      Offers free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) events to members and non-members, maintains a member-only content library with recordings from past events, and hosts specialized CEU events on topics such as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
    • Free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Events
      Offers free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) events to members, including those focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) topics for both members and non-members.
    • Providing Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
      Offers free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) events to members and hosts free EDI-focused CEU events for both members and non-members.
  • Member Networking & Communication Services 4 activities
    • Member Support and Engagement Services
      Provides members with access to events, publications, networking groups, an Ethics Portal, committee and SIG participation, exclusive communications, and a Community Resource Directory that lists member agencies.
    • Member Support and Resource Provision
      Provides members with access to events, publications, networking groups, and an Ethics Portal, offering guidance on ethical situations and interpretation of the BACB’s code of ethics. The organization also communicates updates, disseminates information, and promotes member connection through its website and social media, while identifying opportunities for membership growth and partnerships.
    • Member Support and Resources
      Provides guidance on ethical situations, access to events, publications, and networking groups, and facilitates member participation in committees and Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
    • Providing Member Resources and Support
      Offers members access to events, publications, networking groups, an Ethics Portal, and exclusive communications. The organization also provides guidance on ethical situations, lists member agencies in a community resource directory, and facilitates member participation in committees and SIGs.
  • Membership Survey Research 3 activities
    • Research and Data Collection
      Conducts surveys to gather information on member knowledge of specific topics, such as Contingent Electric Skin Shock (CESS), and collects and analyzes demographic data to inform initiatives for diverse inclusion of practitioners.
    • Research and Data Collection
      Conducts research initiatives, including surveys to gather information on member awareness of practices like Contingent Electric Skin Shock (CESS) and demographic data to inform diversity initiatives.
    • Research and Data Collection Initiatives
      Conducted a member survey on awareness of Contingent Electric Skin Shock (CESS), and initiated demographic data collection in 2020 to inform diversity initiatives, analyzing and presenting findings in 2024.
  • Member Resource and Support Services 1 activity
    • Ethics Guidance and Consultation
      Provides members with guidance on complex ethical situations and interpretation of the BACB’s Code of Ethics, including hosting town halls on controversial practices such as Contingent Electric Skin Shock (CESS).
  • Membership Recruitment and Retention 1 activity
    • Membership Growth and Communications
      Identifies opportunities for membership growth and partnerships, conducts outreach through public relations and reciprocal partnerships, and communicates updates, educational opportunities, and organizational information via website, surveys, social media, and member recruitment efforts.
  • Uncategorized 16 activities
    • Annual Conference Organization
      Organizes a three-day annual conference focused on professional development, learning, and networking in behavior analysis, offering discounted rates to members and awarding over 100 scholarships to RBTs and students over three years.
    • Annual Conference for Behavior Analysts
      Hosts a three-day annual conference focused on learning and professional development in behavior analysis, providing a platform for networking and continuing education.
    • Board Development and Training
      Designed and executed an internship opportunity to provide practical experience and mentorship for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate on the board, and provided DEI training for its Board of Directors.
    • Conducting Research and Data Collection
      Distributes surveys to members to gather information on specific topics, such as Contingent Electric Skin Shock (CESS), and collects and analyzes demographic data to inform initiatives for diverse inclusion of practitioners.
    • Hosting Town Halls
      Hosted a Town Hall for members to discuss the use of Contingent Electric Skin Shock (CESS).
    • Internship and Mentorship Programs
      Offers structured internship opportunities including RBT Intern and Student Intern positions with terms up to two years, and designed a 2022 internship to increase board participation from individuals with diverse backgrounds.
    • Internship and Scholarship Programs
      Offers RBT and Student Intern positions for 18-24 months, and provides scholarships to master's level students in ABA programs through an endowment fund established with Arizona State University, as well as internship opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate on the board.
    • Offering Internships and Scholarships
      Provides RBT and Student Intern positions with terms of 18 months, extendable to 2 years, and offers scholarships to master's level students in ABA programs through an endowment fund established with Arizona State University.
    • Operating Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
      Manages various Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to foster collaboration, professional development, and dissemination of best practices in specific areas of behavior analysis, including ABA for Adults, BCBAs in schools, ACT/RFT, Compassionate Care, Coordination of Care, Feeding, Expanding the Scope, and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI).
    • Organizing Annual Conference and Professional Development Events
      Organizes an annual three-day conference for behavior analysts and professionals, offering learning, professional development, networking, and continuing education opportunities. The organization also provides discounted conference rates for members and scholarships for RBTs and students to attend.
    • Organizing Annual Conference and Professional Development Events
      Organizes an annual three-day conference for behavior analysts and professionals, offering learning, professional development, networking, and continuing education opportunities. The organization also provides discounted conference rates for members and scholarships for RBTs and students to attend.
    • Scholarship and Financial Support Programs
      Established an endowment fund through Arizona State University to support master’s students in ABA and awarded over 100 scholarships to RBTs and students for conference attendance.
    • Special Interest Group (SIG) Facilitation
      Operates multiple Special Interest Groups (SIGs) focused on areas such as ABA in schools, feeding practices, ACT/RFT, coordination of care, NDBI, compassionate care, expanding ABA applications, and support for technicians and trainees, providing platforms for collaboration, education, and interdisciplinary practice.
    • Special Interest Group (SIG) Management
      Operates various Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to foster collaboration, professional development, and knowledge dissemination in specific areas of behavior analysis, including ABA for Adults, BCBAs in schools, ACT/RFT, Compassionate Care in ABA, Coordination of Care, Feeding practices, Expanding the Scope of ABA, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI), and a supportive community for technicians and trainees.
    • Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
      Operates multiple Special Interest Groups focused on various topics, including compassionate care, feeding practices, and developmentally sensitive approaches to autism intervention, promoting collaboration and professional development.
    • Supporting Technicians and Trainees
      Runs a "Today's ABA for Technicians and Trainees" group to provide a supportive community for students, supervisees, and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to learn from shared experiences.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$181K
Contributions & grants
Program service revenue$143K79%
Investment income$210%
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$135K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits
Grants paid out$8K
balance sheet
Total assets$190K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$174K
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +49.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 7
  • Christina Ricciardelli — Director
  • Jessica Belokas — Director
  • Jessie Marshall — Director
  • Kristina Bartell — Director
  • Luis Morales — Director
  • Raakel Elzy — Director
  • Sarah Duarte — Director
relationships · 13

who they work with

  • ABAI Affiliate Chapters Partner — Presentation and discussion at annual meeting
  • American Psychological Association (APA) Partner — Agrees with the APA's stance on the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
  • Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners Partner — Partnered to release statements on licensure delays and other policies.
  • Arizona Psychological Association (AzPA) Partner — Supports and agrees with AzPA's statement regarding reproductive rights.
  • Arizona State University Partner — Established an endowment fund to provide scholarships to master's level students in the ABA program.
  • BACB Government — References the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts in its own policy on discrimination and harassment.
  • BACB Partner — Requires RBT interns to have a current RBT credential through BACB and be in good standing with the BACB.
  • Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Partner — Notes that over 82% of professionals credentialed through BACB focus on supporting people with autism.
  • Black Applied Behavior Analysts Partner — Chapter partnership
  • Goodman Schwartz Partner — Partnered to educate legislators about the needs of ABA providers.
  • Interprofessional Behavioral Health Collaborative Partner — Supports efforts related to advocacy across disciplines
  • US Department of Health and Human Services Government — Stands in opposition to public statements made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding autism.
  • Wild Horse Pass Hotel Partner — Host venue for the AzABA 2026 Annual Conference, offering a discounted room rate for attendees.