Professional Learning: Behavior

Formal professional learning opportunities offered by the Diagnostic Center, Northern California (DCN). This is part of the 2025-26 Professional Development Catalog.

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Topic Areas: Assessment | Behavior | Dual Language Learners | Intervention & Instruction | Mental Health

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Creating an Effective Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

The implementation of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is only as effective as the precision, specificity, and clarity of the written plan. This training will focus on how to clearly define and structure reinforcement procedures and teaching procedures to ensure effective behavior change. Participants will learn how to accurately align individualized replacement behaviors to function, select an appropriate reinforcement system, and write a measurable plan to track progress. Additionally, the training will provide practical tools for writing BIPs that are both user-friendly for implementers and detailed enough to promote consistent, high-fidelity implementation.

Presenter(s)

Intended Audience

  • School psychologists
  • Behavior analysts/behavior specialists
  • Professionals who are responsible for writing behavior plans

Sessions

  • BH013: In-Person (4.5 hours)
  • BH014: Virtual - Session 1 of 2 (2 hours)
  • BH015: Virtual - Session 2 of 2 (2 hours)

Participants Will

  • Describe essential parts of a BIP, focusing on reinforcement and teaching procedures.
  • Learn to develop specific, measurable reinforcement procedures aligned with behavior function.
  • Understand how to outline effective, structured strategies for teaching replacement behaviors.
  • Have increased ability to create BIPs that are detailed yet easy for implementers to follow.
  • Select reinforcement and replacement behaviors based on function.
  • Engage in case discussion to identify appropriate, creative, and doable reinforcement systems

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Smart Strategies for Teachers: Mastering Reinforcement for Lasting Behavior Change

This training will discuss how to identify, understand and intervene with problem behaviors within the classroom. Through examples and case studies the steps of creating a classroom environment rich in positive behavior supports will be outlined and discussed. Evidence-based positive behavior intervention strategies and supports within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework will be covered. Strategies will address how to support the vast array of problem behaviors that students may engage in, across all classroom settings.

Presenter(s)

Intended Audience

  • Special education teachers
  • General education teachers supporting students with behaviors

Sessions

  • BH009: In-Person (4.5 hours)

Participants Will

  • Increase understanding of why students engage in problem behavior
  • Receive specific explanations of how to implement positive behavior strategies within the classroom environment from the Prevent, Teach, Reinforce model
  • Create an action plan for how to enhance classroom positive behavior supports

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Whole Class, All Day: Dynamic Behavior Strategies Every Teacher Needs

This training will dive into Tier 1/Universal positive behavior interventions, focusing on proactive, evidence-based strategies that support students with challenging behaviors. Participants will learn how to create a structured, engaging classroom environment that fosters positive behavior through thoughtful interaction, activity design, and class-wide systems. Ideal for teachers across all grade levels and with diverse student needs, this training equips educators with practical tools to promote a positive classroom culture and prevent behavioral issues before they arise. This training is most appropriate for teachers, themselves, to attend.

Presenter(s)

Intended Audience

  • Special education teachers
  • General education teachers supporting students with behavior needs

Sessions

  • BH016: Virtual (2 hours)

Participants Will

  • Increase understanding of why students engage in problem behavior
  • Complete a classroom environmental analysis to determine what is working, and where to enhance environmental behavior supports
  • Have a set of takeaway strategies that can be quickly implemented within any classroom

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Beyond Stickers and Clip Charts: Real Solutions for Complex Student Behavior (New!)

When student behavior is intense, complex, and high-stakes, common strategies often fall short. This training goes beyond surface-level approaches to focus on individualized, skilled interventions that truly make a difference. You’ll learn practical tools that are often overlooked or misapplied in schools - strategies that help, not just manage, the most challenging behaviors. Special attention will be given to supporting students with trauma histories, mental health concerns, and those with extensive behavioral and developmental needs. Through case studies, discussion, and hands-on problem-solving, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how to support students who need more than just the basics.

Presenter(s)

Intended Audience

  • Special education teachers
  • General education teachers supporting students with behaviors

Sessions

  • BH027: In-Person (4.5 hours)
  • BH025: Virtual - Session 1 of 2 (2 hours)
  • BH026: Virtual - Session 2 of 2 (2 hours)

Participants Will

  • Identify why common behavior strategies often fail in high-stakes situations
  • Analyze the impact of trauma, mental health concerns, and extensive behavioral needs on effective behavior intervention through guided discussion.
  • Troubleshoot common misapplications of behavior strategies and learn how to adjust interventions for better outcomes.
  • Develop a deeper understanding of individualized, research-backed interventions for students with complex needs.
  • Collaborate and discuss barriers and solutions to developing and implementing tailored intervention plans for complex student behavior.

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Bridging the Gap: A Guide for Navigating Schools and Partnering for Success (New!)

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) play an essential role in supporting students in public schools, yet they often face challenges in integrating their expertise within the educational system. Schools operate within a complex framework of policies, procedures, and multidisciplinary collaboration, which can sometimes create barriers to effective behavioral support. Likewise, school administrators must balance student needs, staff resources, and compliance requirements while striving to create a positive and productive learning environment.

This two-day workshop is designed to bridge the gap between behavior analysis and educational practice, equipping BCBAs with the tools to navigate school systems effectively while fostering stronger partnerships with administrators. By developing a shared understanding of responsibilities, challenges, and strategies, participants will leave with actionable plans to enhance collaboration, improve student outcomes, and create sustainable behavioral support models.

Day 1: Understanding the BCBA Role in Public Schools (BCBAs Only)

On the first day, BCBAs will focus on building a strong foundation for working effectively within school systems. This session will provide practical guidance on how to align behavior analytic practices with school culture, understand the broader educational landscape, and ethical considerations for behavioral assessment.

Day 2: Strengthening BCBA and Administrator Partnerships (BCBAs and Administrators)

On the second day, BCBAs and school administrators come together to bridge the gap between behavior analysis and school-based implementation. While BCBAs bring expertise in behavioral assessment and intervention, administrators provide insight into school systems, policies, and resource limitations. This session fosters collaborative problem-solving to ensure behavior support strategies are effective, feasible, and sustainable in real-world school settings.

Presenter(s)

Intended Audience

  • BCBAs
  • School Administrators
  • Preferably these would be BCBAs and Administrators that work together or will work together during the school year

Sessions

  • BH028: In-Person - Session 1 of 2 (6.5 hours)
  • BH029: In-Person - Session 1 of 2 (6.5 hours)

Participants Will

Day 1: Participants will:

  • Understand the structure of public schools and clarify the BCBA's role within the system
  • Understand how to interpret educational assessments and IEPs to guide behavior planning within the BCBA scope
  • Learn the components of an effective and legally defensible Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
  • Prepare for collaboration with Administrators for day 2

Day 2: Participants will:

  • Strengthen understanding between BCBAs and Administrators as they learn more about each other's important roles in supporting student behavior
  • Clarify the BCBA's role in the IEP process and in larger school systems of support
  • Collaborate to identify current behavior challenges and priorities, align behavior supports with school goals, and ways to allocate BCBA resources to maximize effectiveness
  • Learn strategies for sustaining and improving BCBA and Administrator collaboration

Visit our Special Training Opportunities web page for additional training opportunities!

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