Presidential Note

MiBAP members,
It has been an honor to serve as President of MiBAP over the past several years. Together, we have made significant progress toward our goals, and I am proud of what we have accomplished as a board and as an organization.

As we prepare to elect the next President at our upcoming board meeting, I am confident that the momentum we have built will continue. We will share an official announcement following the election.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President and for the continued opportunity to contribute to the MiBAP board.

Warm Regards, 
Maggie
Margaret Moore, MS, BCBA, LBA
She/Her/Hers
Hope Network Center for
Autism- Executive Director
C: 616.930.5765
F: 616.956.3260
MMMoore@hopenetwork.org

 

 

We Are All Equally Human.

We want to SPOTLIGHT you!

As part of our ongoing effort to highlight MiBAP members and strengthen connections across our membership, we’re launching a MiBAP Member Spotlight series. These spotlights will be featured in upcoming issues of the MiBAP Monthly Minute, on the MiBAP website, and on LinkedIn—giving members and partners an opportunity to learn more about who you are and the important work you do.

We invite you to take a few minutes to complete the MiBAP Member Spotlight Form.

When completing the form, please include a headshot and, if available, an additional photo—such as staff at work, participation in an event, or an image that reflects your organization. These photos help bring your story to life and make each spotlight more engaging.

Stay Connected on LinkedIn!

Follow MiBAP on LinkedIn to stay up to date on news, events, and advocacy efforts shaping Michigan’s ABA community. We also encourage members to connect with one another—share resources, celebrate achievements, and help strengthen our professional network across the state.

2026 Membership Renewals

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted your renewal forms and for your continued support of MiBAP. Your engagement and commitment make our collective work possible! Invoices for 2026 membership dues will be sent via WAVE in the next couple of weeks. Please note that payments are due by January 15.

We look forward to another impactful year together — thank you for being part of MiBAP!

In the News: ABA in Schools

MiBAP continues to advocate for policies that protect and expand access to medically necessary Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for students in Michigan schools. A recent Bridge Michigan article highlights the ongoing debate surrounding whether ABA providers should be allowed to support students with autism in school settings—an issue with significant implications for families, providers, and school systems statewide.

 

We are especially proud to see Angela Khater, Clinical Director at Individualized Outcomes for Autism, featured in the article. Angela is also an incoming MiBAP Board member in 2026, and her voice reflects the real-world impact of policies that either remove or reinforce barriers to care. Her perspective helps counter ongoing misinformation and reinforces the importance of collaboration between medical and educational systems to meet student needs.

You can read the full article here: https://bridgemi.com/talent-education/should-aba-therapists-beallowed-in-michigan-schools-to-aid-kids-with-autism/

Call to Action:
MiBAP urges members to contact the Michigan House Committee on Education and Workforce to express support for policies that allow students access to evidence-based ABA services in school settings. Lawmakers need to hear directly from providers, families, and advocates about the importance of these services and the consequences of limiting access.

You can find committee members and contact information here: https://www.house.mi.gov/Committees/Committee?com=EDUCATION

MiBAP will continue to engage legislators, correct misinformation, and advocate for solutions that ensure students and families are not left without critical supports. Your voice
matters—please use it.

Stay in the Loop!

Not everyone on your team getting MiBAP updates? No problem! Just send a current staff email list to membership@mibap.org and we’ll make sure everyone stays connected.

Get Involved: MiBAP Committees

MiBAP Committee Chairs are currently establishing goals for 2026 and welcome your participation across all committees. If you’re interested in contributing your expertise and perspective, we encourage you to get involved.

Current Committees & Chairs:
• Quality: Jon Timm
• Parity: Taylor Barker
• Membership: Jenipher Swanson
• Education: Rachel Enright & Lindsay Croghan
• Access & Advocacy: Jeff Brown & Kristin Wier
• Severe Behavior: Jesse Carrington

If you would like to join a committee, please email membership@mibap.org. All committees are happy to welcome new members as your involvement helps strengthen MiBAP’s work on behalf of Michigan’s ABA community.

Member Update: Kalamazoo Autism Center

Kalamazoo Autism Center – Severe Behavior Services Consultation

The severe behavior consultation service provided by Kalamazoo Autism Center – Severe behavior Services (KAC – SBS) team is for ABA providers in Michigan who are seeking consultative services for their clients who engage in severe problem behavior, such as physical aggression, elopement, self-injury, and other challenging behaviors. These services are intended for individuals who already participate in ABA therapy but require more intensive, targeted support for their behavioral needs. The consultative team consists of board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) who specialize in the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, and we are supervised by doctoral-level BCBAs with specialized expertise in this area. We collaborate closely with your team to conduct a formal functional behavior assessment (FBA) using a hybrid model that includes telehealth and in-person sessions, depending on the needs of the agency and consumer. This process may include a formal functional analysis (FA), when appropriate, feasible, and mutually agreeable. If a formal FA is not suitable, our team will design alternative, high-quality analyses to identify the function of problem behavior. Throughout the assessment, we work alongside your team to collect and analyze behavioral data, providing ongoing support in interpreting the results. After identifying the function of behavior, we assist in developing  and briefly testing potential treatments to determine their effectiveness. The initial consultation typically requires approximately 15-20 hours spread over 3-4 weeks, although this may vary depending on the severity and intensity of the problem behavior, level of support the child requires, and the responsiveness of your team. At the end of our consultation, we provide a detailed written report summarizing the assessment findings and our treatment recommendations. If further consultation is desired during the treatment phase, optional follow-up sessions are available for an additional fee.

Referrals are accepted from ABA providers, community mental health providers, or parents, but our consultative services are specifically for consumers already receiving behavior analytic services under the supervision of a BCBA. If you would like to refer an individual to the KAC – SBS team or have questions about the appropriateness of our service for an individual, please contact us using the link below or the QR code. https://wmich.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJFp67i9cRjgmQ6

January Webinar: Register Now!

February Webinar: Register Now!

Advocacy Day 2026

Registration is now open for MiBAP’s 2026 Advocacy Day, and we strongly encourage you to register and plan to attend.

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Location: Lansing, MI

There are many pressing issues facing ABA providers, practitioners, and the individuals and families we serve. Decisions being made at the state level directly impact access to care, service delivery, workforce stability, and the long-term sustainability of ABA services in Michigan. Your voice is essential to ensure these critical services remain accessible and responsive to the needs of those who rely on them.

Advocacy Day is an opportunity to meet directly with legislators, share real-world experiences, and help policymakers understand the importance of protecting and strengthening ABA services. Whether this is your first time participating or you are a seasoned advocate, your presence truly makes a difference.

Register here:
https://kclobbyday.wufoo.com/forms/m1c3c7dv192ejnd/

To make participation as convenient as possible, MiBAP has secured a hotel room block for Advocacy Day attendees at a negotiated rate of $154 plus relevant taxes and fees.

Hotel information:
DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing
111 North Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933
doubletree.com/lansing

To make a room reservation please click on DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing

1. Once you select the room type, complete the Hotel Booking Form.
2. For date adjustment needs, please change the Check-in and Check-out date box at the top of site.
3. The booking form will ask for the guest details and email address.
4. The secure payment option is the section of the booking form that holds your credit card details. Input your credit card information.
5. Once you have completed this step click the “Make Reservation” button and your reservation will be sent immediately to the Hotel.

To make a room reservation by phone call 517-482-01881, and reservations can assist with securing rooms. It is important that each of your guests identify themselves as part of the 2026 MiBAP Advocacy Day group and provide reservations under the code “917” to receive the discounted group rate. Please ensure your reservations are made before the cutoff date of 02/02/2026.

We hope you’ll join us for this important day of advocacy and lend your voice to shaping the future of ABA in Michigan.

A Note from the Executive Director

MiBAP members,

As we begin a new year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to each of you for your continued engagement, advocacy, and commitment to advancing ABA services across Michigan. Your voices, expertise, and collaboration truly make a difference for providers, practitioners, and the individuals and families we serve.

Happy New Year! May the coming year bring renewed energy and continued progress for our community.

Warm regards,
Holly McKee, PhD
Executive Director
membership@mibap.org
269.460.0517