Standards Committee

The Autism Commission on Quality’s (ACQ) essential accreditation decisions are made by independent committees comprised of experienced experts and diverse representatives involved in receiving, delivering, supporting, and funding applied behavior analysis services for autism. The ACQ Standards Committee is responsible for developing and approving accreditation standards, making committee appointments, and developing policies and procedures that support ACQ’s accreditation activities.

The ACQ Standards Committee is charged with developing accreditation standards that are:

The ACQ Standards Committee typically meets monthly. Past dates listed below reflect previous meetings and future dates reflect tentative meeting dates that are subject to change.

Eric Larsson, PhD, LP, BCBA-D (2025 – 2027) (Chair)
Executive Director of Clinical Services, Lovaas Institute Midwest

Dr. Larsson is the Executive Director of Clinical Services at the Lovaas Institute Midwest, where he implements and researches the renowned program of intensive early intervention services with families of children who suffer from autism. He is a Licensed Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral. Dr. Larsson is the current President of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Fundación Lovaas in Barcelona. He has served on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and as Associate Research Director of the NIMH Multi-site Replication Study of the UCLA Young Autism Project. Dr. Larsson actively supports advocacy efforts to increase access to ABA services for autism and consults internationally on clinical programming and evaluation. In 2013 he received the Provider of the Year Award from Autism Speaks in Washington, DC, and the Leadership Award from the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA), in Anaheim, CA.

Leila Allen, MA, BCBA, LBA (2025 – 2027) (Vice Chair)
Vice President of External Affairs, Lighthouse Autism Center

Leila has worked in the ABA field for over 15 years professionally. Her passion for the autism community started as a child with a very personal connection. Starting out as a direct therapist with a child with autism in college, her career has expanded, working with a wide variety of clients in several different settings, including adults, young children, in schools, group homes, day and psychiatric programs and center-based programs. In 2012, Ms. Allen went back to her center-based ABA roots when she joined an upstart program in Northern Indiana, Lighthouse Autism Center. Over the last 10 years, she has been a part of growing and developing this organization and functioning as the Chief Clinical and Compliance Officer for the last few years. In the last 2 years, Leila’s passion for advocacy, compliance, and regulatory impacts has grown, leading towards roles on Indiana’s Licensure Committee and involvement in several groups working towards better access to care and high-quality outcomes.

Jodi Bauer, M.A., M.B.A., BCBA, LBA, LPP (2026 – 2028)
ABA Site Visit Lead, Optum Behavioral Healthcare Solutions
Associate Director of Clinical Quality, Optum Behavioral Healthcare Solutions
Owner, Jodi Bauer, LLC

Jodi Bauer, M.A., M.B.A., BCBA, LBA, LPP, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychological Practitioner in Kentucky with nearly two decades of experience providing and overseeing behavioral and psychological services across clinical and community settings. She currently serves as ABA Site Visit Lead and Associate Director of Clinical Quality with Optum Behavioral Healthcare Solutions, where she leads a national ABA provider evaluation program focused on clinical quality, compliance, data analysis, and continuous performance improvement. She earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Murray State University, completed her behavior analytic coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology, and holds an M.B.A. with a focus in Project Management. Her professional interests include clinical quality, provider performance, evidence-based practice, and the development of practical systems that support high-quality ABA services.

Jerome T. Chiu, MPA, BCBA, LABA (2025 – 2027)
Lead Consultant / Owner, RadBX

Jerome T. Chiu is the Lead Consultant and Owner of RadBx, an ABA Management consultant company based in Boston, MA. Jerome is also an Associate of the Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health, where he works to resolve insurance coverage issues and support families as they navigate their complicated health insurance coverage. Jerome has dedicated his professional career to ensuring access to services and enhancing the quality ABA treatment. In 2015, Jerome implemented MassHealth coverage of ABA services for individuals with ASD in Massachusetts. In 2020, Jerome served on the Steering Committee for the CASP Organizational Guidelines and Standards. Currently, Jerome consults with providers to ensure compliance with clinical standards and enhance the quality of treatment. He also works with health insurance companies to investigate Fraud Waste and Abuse. Jerome is a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst in the state of Massachusetts. He holds a Masters in Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from NYU Steinhardt, and a Masters in Public Administration from Suffolk University. Jerome is also a graduate of the Leadership in Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship program at the Shriver Center at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA.

Jennifer Collado, MS, BCBA, LBA (WA), CHC (2026 – 2028)
Vice President Clinical Compliance, Centria Autism

Jen Collado serves as the Vice President of Clinical Compliance at Centria Healthcare, where she brings extensive leadership experience in clinical operations, quality assurance, and change management. With a career deeply rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis, Jen has dedicated her expertise to scaling clinical services, driving operational performance, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. A committed advocate for the field, Jen’s impact extends well beyond her organizational roles. She serves on the ABA Advisory Committee for the Washington State Department of Health and has a long-standing history of leadership within the Washington Association for Behavior Analysis, where she has served as President and an Executive Board Member. Her work is consistently driven by a focus on data-informed decision-making, clinical excellence, and the development of operational systems that empower clinicians to provide best-in-class care. When she is not leading compliance strategy or advocating for clinical standards, Jen is likely volunteering with Scouting America or supporting Advocacy groups for breast cancer survivors. She values the intersection of strategic growth and compassionate care, always looking for new ways to support clinical teams and families alike.

Chanti Fritzsching Waters, EDD, BCBA-D (2026 – 2028)
Vice President of Clinical & Regulatory Affairs, ABS Kids
President Elect, Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
Alternate Member, ABA Coding Coalition

Dr. Chanti Fritzsching Waters is a seasoned leader in Applied Behavior Analysis who began her career in 1994 and brings more than 30 years of experience across clinical practice, research, teaching, policy, and regulatory affairs. She joined ABS Kids in 2020 and currently serves as Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, partnering with executive leadership to advance clinical best practices, evaluate outcomes, and ensure high-quality, evidence-based care. Dr. Waters has served on the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) Board of Directors since 2022, currently serves as Secretary, and will become President-Elect in September 2026. She is also a member of the ABA Coding Coalition, a subject matter expert for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and a member of the Autism Commission on Quality Standards Committee. An experienced educator and researcher, Dr. Waters has taught graduate-level ABA coursework, presented at professional conferences, and contributed to research on early intensive behavioral intervention and BCBA training. She earned her M.S. in ABA Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, and her Ed.S. and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida. She lives in the Central Coast of California with her family.

Naa Garrido, MS, BCBA, LBS (2025 – 2027)
Founder/CEO, Galena Autism and Behavioral Services (GABS)

Naa Ameley Garrido is the founder and CEO of GABS and GABS Academy, serving neurodiverse children and their families with compassionate evidence-based care. Located in Bucks County, PA, both her companies provide Applied Behavior Analysis and educational services, through intensive early intervention services, private state licensed special education, school district consultation, caregiver training, and clinic-based, home-bases, and community-based services. Her experiences as a Ghanian immigrant informs her mission for equitable access to health for all children regardless of what family they were born to, or where they live. Her passion for building supportive relationships and community drives her enthusiasm for the Autism and ABA community. As a mother to three incredible children, she finds joy in sharing in their curiosity for the world around us.

Gina Green, PhD, BCBA-D (2025 – 2027)
Consultant, Private Practice

Gina Green received a PhD in Psychology (Analysis of Behavior) from Utah State University in 1986 following undergraduate and master’s-degree studies at Michigan State University. She is currently a consultant in private practice, having been a faculty member in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at Southern Illinois University; Director of Research at the New England Center for Children in Southborough, Massachusetts; Associate Scientist at the E.K. Shriver Center for Mental Retardation in Waltham, Massachusetts; Research Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School; a Lecturer in Public Health and Special Education at San Diego State University; and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts. She has authored numerous publications on the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injuries as well as the experimental analysis of behavior. Dr. Green co-edited the books Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism and Making a Difference: Behavioral Intervention for Autism and is a co-author of Strategies and Tactics of Behavioral Research and Practice (4th ed). with James M. Johnston and Henry S. Pennypacker. She serves or has served on the editorial boards of several professional journals in developmental disabilities and behavior analysis and the advisory boards of several autism programs and organizations as well as the B.F. Skinner Foundation. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, former president of the Association for Behavior Analysis and the California Association for Behavior Analysis, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, a founding Director and former CEO of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Council for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health, and the Association for Behavior Analysis. Other recognitions and awards include Psychology Today’s “Mental Health Professional of the Year” (2000); honorary Doctor of Science degree from The Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland (2005); California Association for Behavior Analysis Award for Outstanding Contributions to Behavior Analysis (2013); New York State Association for Behavior Analysis John W. Jacobson Award for Contributions to Behavior Analysis (2013); Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis & Therapy Sidman Award for Enduring Contributions to Applied Behavior Analysis (2014); Friend of the Kendall Centers, Modesto, CA (2014); Autism Speaks Provider of the Year (2014); Behavior Analyst Certification Board Michael Hemingway Award (2017); American Psychological Association Division 25 Don Hake Translational Research Award (2017); California Association for Behavior Analysis Gerald L. Shook Advocacy Award (2018); ABA in PA Initiative Trailblazer Advocate Award (2019); and Autism Law Summit Award for Sustained Outstanding Advocacy (2023). Dr. Green lectures and consults widely on autism and related disorders, behavioral research, effective interventions for people with disabilities, and public policies affecting the practice of applied behavior analysis.

Janine Howe M.S. BCBA, LABA (2025 – 2027)
Owner, Foundation Lane

Janine Howe is the Owner and Executive Director of Foundation Lane, LLC, a leading ABA therapy provider based in Medfield, Massachusetts. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than a decade of executive leadership experience, Janine is deeply committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to young children with autism and related developmental differences. Since founding Foundation Lane, Janine has guided the company’s growth with a clear mission: to provide evidence-based, child-led therapy that supports the whole family. Under her leadership, the organization has become known for its warm, collaborative culture, strong clinical integrity, and personalized approach to care. Foundation Lane specializes in early intervention services for children ages one to six, integrating natural environment teaching, family-centered support, and play-based learning into each treatment plan. Janine holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. In addition to leading her organization, she serves on the Advisory Board for the ABA Graduate Program at Regis College and remains actively engaged in professional organizations that support best practices in autism treatment. Respected for her thoughtful leadership and dedication to ethical care, Janine continues to drive innovation in ABA service delivery – prioritizing quality, sustainability, and meaningful outcomes for every child and family served.

Alleta Selene Johnson (Selene), M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (she/her/hers) (2026 – 2028)
Executive Director, ABC of NC

Selene Johnson, M.Ed., BCBA, is the Executive Director of ABC of NC, a specialized center in Winston Salem, NC, providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational services for Autistic individuals and their families. She is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and a formerly licensed special education teacher. Selene received her master’s degree in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She served on the governor-appointed Joint Study Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Safety, studying autism health insurance legislation in NC and led advocacy efforts towards behavior analyst licensure in North Carolina. Selene served on the board of the North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis for eight years and is a past President of the organization. She formerly served on the NC Department of Public Instruction Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) Board. She currently serves as Chair of the NC Behavior Analyst Licensure Board and on the APBA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Winston Salem and of the Advancing Strong Leadership in Intellectual and developmental Disabilities NC program.

Amber Paden, PhD, LMHP, BCBA-D, LBA (2026 – 2028)
Assistant Professor – UNMC, Munroe-Meyer Institute
Program Director, Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic – Fremont (UNMC, MMI)
Adjunct Professor, Midland University

Amber R. Paden, PhD, BCBA, LBA, LMHP is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic in Fremont at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals with autism and their families through evidence-based behavioral services, clinical leadership, staff training, and program development. Dr. Paden earned her doctorate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2011. Her work focuses on the delivery of high-quality autism services, clinician training and supervision, and the application of behavioral science to improve outcomes for children and families. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading behavior-analytic journals, presented nationally, and has held leadership roles within professional behavior analysis organizations. Dr. Paden is committed to advancing standards of practice, workforce development, and equitable access to effective autism services.

Aamir Rehman, MD (2026 – 2028)
Founder and CEO, Vyzr Health and Act Health

Aamir led organizations in the hospital, employer, health plan/ insurance and digital health space. Currently he is the Founder and CEO of a decision support and information management company that helps individuals and caregivers make more informed choices about their healthcare needs and partner with providers. He is also the co-founder of a clinical testing company focused on generating personalized insights based on an individual’s own, unique biology. In addition, Aamir is an advisor to investment firms on commercial, market, and clinical models and restructuring for their portfolio of health tech companies. Previously he was the CEO of a precision medicine biotech company, a Partner and the Chief Clinical Officer at Mercer (working with large employer clients), SVP of Innovation and Partnerships at Consortium Health Plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Partner at the Advisory Board Company, Chief Clinical Integration Officer and Head of Healthcare Transformation for a major hospital/ health system collaborative, and Managing Director at Navvis. Aamir has an MD and an MBA.

Ellen Rhoads, MS, LBA, BCBA (2026 – 2028)
Texana Center, Project Manager, Texans Center
President, Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Public Policy Group (TxABA PPG)

Ellen Rhoads is a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst (BCBA/LBA) with more than 20 years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Auburn University and joined Texana Center in 2005. During her tenure at Texana, Ellen has served in a variety of clinical and leadership roles, including providing ABA training to educators, supervising clinical teams, and serving as Senior Manager. After relocating with her family to Northwest Arkansas, Ellen continued her work with Texana and currently serves as the Specialized Services Project Manager. Ellen is actively involved in advancing the field of behavior analysis through public policy, advocacy, and professional leadership. She serves as President of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Public Policy Group (TxABA PPG) and Chair of its Insurance Task Force. She also serves as Chair of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) Profound Autism Special Interest Group, where she supports efforts to advance awareness and improve services and outcomes for individuals with profound autism and their families.

Penny Schenkkan, PhD, BCBA-D (2025 – 2027)
Clinical Behavioral Health Consultant, Aetna/CVS Health

Penny began her career in the field of behavior analysis in 2004 working in a full inclusion model preschool. She has provided clinical supervision to technicians working with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities and supervised the clinical experience of BCBAs and individuals seeking BACB certification. In addition to providing direct care services, Penny has held leadership positions in multi-state organizations, spearheading the efforts to develop and implement practice standards to support the clinicians and clients receiving in-home, clinic-based, and school services. Penny is currently a Director of Product for a practice management software company aiming to transform behavioral healthcare practices. Finally, Penny serves as a BACB Subject Matter Expert, a member of the Autism Commission on Quality Standards Committee, and as the Public Policy Committee Chair for the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA).

Carla T. Schmidt, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (2026 – 2028)
Director of Education & Training, BAYADA Home Health Care

Dr. Schmidt is the Director of Education and Training for BAYADA Home Health Care. She has more than 20 years of experience spanning applied behavior analysis, autism research, higher education, clinical practice, and professional training. Dr. Schmidt earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Missouri and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Kansas. Prior to joining BAYADA full time, Dr. Schmidt held faculty positions at the University of Florida, University of Cincinnati, and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her research and scholarship have focused on autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan, including social and adaptive skill development, caregiver and practitioner training, generalization of intervention outcomes, and innovative technology-based interventions. She has published extensively and presented her work at national and international conferences. Her current interests include strengthening clinical quality, workforce development, and the translation of research into effective, sustainable practice.

Sarah Schmitz, CPB, CPC, CMRS-I (2025 – 2027)
President, Comprehensive Billing Consultants

Sarah Schmitz is the Founder and President of Comprehensive Billing Consultants. She has over 15 years experience in Medical Coding and Billing. She started out taking some night classes at a local college to learn this profession and fell in love with it. She finished at the top of all her classes and went on to become a Certified Professional Coder, receiving Magna Cum Laude from the American Academy of Professional Coders. In addition, she is an American Medical Billing Association CMRS Instructor. Sarah’s qualifications include Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certification, Inpatient Coding Specialist Certification, Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist, Medical Record Management, Business Management, HCPCS Level I and II Procedure Coding and ICD-9 CM, ICD-10 CM Coding as well as over 15 years of medical billing. Sarah has done everything from front end medical office work all the way to the collections process. To quote Sarah, “Medical Billing and Coding is my passion, not just my career.” Sarah is the co-author of Revenue Cycle Management for ABA Therapy. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and researching new innovations in the field of ABA and autism.

Alexandra Tomei, M.Ed., BCBA, PMP, LSSWB, LBA (TX) (2026 – 2028)
Director of Clinical Standards, BlueSprig Pediatrics

Alex Tomei is a senior clinical leader with 15+ years in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), specializing in clinical quality, operational excellence, and scalable systems. As Director of Clinical Standards at BlueSprig, she leads clinical governance and quality initiatives. She co-leads CASP’s AI and Ethics Workgroups, sits on its Schools Steering Committee, and serves as an APBA policy expert. An active COABA leader, she is Conference Coordinator and a past Board Member. She holds a BCBA, PMP, and LSSWB. She has published and presented on applied research labs, public policy, ethics, clinical implementation, and AI in ABA.

Jeron Trotman, MS, BCBA, IBA (2025 – 2027)
President & Founder, Black Men in Behavior Analysis (BMBA)
Executive Producer, Beyond the Science Podcast
Founder, ABAVerzus

Jeron Trotman, MS, BCBA, IBA, is a dedicated behavior analyst with over a decade of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He is the founder and president of Black Men in Behavior Analysis (BMBA), an organization committed to advancing diversity and leadership among Black men in the field. Jeron also founded ABAVerzus Block Party, a pioneering initiative that merges education, celebration, and connection to reimagine community engagement in ABA. Most recently, he launched the Behavior Technician Association (BTA), a national organization elevating the voice and visibility of behavior technicians through community, resources, and recognition. As the host and executive producer of the Beyond the Science podcast, Jeron amplifies diverse perspectives and bridges the gap between clinical science and lived experience. He holds a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in ABA from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire. He also serves on the Georgia Association for Behavior Analysis (GABA) Board as Co-Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Based in Atlanta, Jeron continues to lead transformative initiatives that promote equity, mentorship, and systemic progress in the field.

Andrea Waks, JD, MA (2026 – 2028)
Consultant, Proactive Strategies

Andi Waks is the Director of Client Services at Autism Partnership. She began working with children with autism spectrum disorder in the late 1970s at UCLA on the Young Autism Project, where she served as a Senior Therapist, Research Assistant, and Teaching Assistant. Andi has worked with Drs. Leaf and McEachin on the Young Autism Project, the Behavior Therapy and Learning Center, Straight Talk, and Autism Partnership. She earned her master’s degree in General Psychology at Pepperdine University and returned to school to pursue a law degree. She practiced special education law, representing families of children with ASD, before returning to Autism Partnership full-time. She consults with families and school districts both locally and nationally and currently serves on the Board of Autism Partnership Foundation.

Katherine Wooten, MSSW, LCSW, BCBA, CCM (2025 – 2027)
Owner/Principal, Cross Creek Collaboration

Katherine Wooten is a healthcare consultant with more than 15 years working in managed care. She works with providers, payers, advocacy organizations, and healthcare technology companies to improve access to high-quality behavioral healthcare for individuals with autism and other behavioral health conditions. Her work focuses on helping organizations navigate complex clinical, operational, and policy challenges while building sustainable, stakeholder-centered solutions. Katherine is particularly passionate about helping providers and payers better understand one another in a healthcare environment where the two groups often seem to speak different languages.

Thomas J Zwicker, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (2026 – 2028)
CEO, ZABA Therapy

Dr. Zwicker has over 30 years of experience serving individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across the country. He received his Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral level and a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, and Hawaii. He has worked with a wide variety of children and adults with developmental disabilities and has led his practice since it he started it in 2013. Dr Zwicker also coached executives for some of the top Fortune 500 companies on strategy execution, led transportation safety research across the country, and led the Federal Aviation Administration’s effort to redesign how it oversees all the nation’s airlines using a behavior analytic approach to system safety. Dr. Zwicker’s connection to autism is also personal. He has strongly advocated to the state legislature, schools, and agencies to ensure every child gets the high-quality, individualized and intensive behavioral intervention his child received that will help other children achieve their full potential.