Meet Kate Wood, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
The Arc of Cape May County is proud to spotlight one of our dedicated staff members, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) Kate Wood. To learn more about Kate’s involvement with the Arc, we sat down with her for an interview. Kate’s familiarity with the Arc did not, surprisingly, stem from her living in the area; a resident of Massachusetts, she grew up visiting Cape May on vacation with her family. Over the decade they vacationed in the county, Kate remembers driving past a sign in Rio Grande for the Arc: the sign for the thrift store. She knew the organization, as they have them in Massachusetts as well, but it would still be some time before her own journey with the Arc began. Kate had been working in human services for about fourteen years when she called the Arc of Cape May County to ask if they were looking for a BCBA. At the time, there were not a lot of people in New Jersey doing this type of work, and Kate was potentially the only one the Arc had spoken with in the entire county. From there, her work with them took off. This August will mark her two year work anniversary working as a hybrid BCBA, and it’s still only the beginning.
Why the Arc Stands Out
In Massachusetts, Kate notes, there are a lot of BCBAs working, a stark difference from South Jersey. The way they conduct behavioral analysis is different as well, and when Kate started working with the Arc, she was immediately moved by what she saw. The biggest thing that stood out to her was how caring the staff is with the individuals they care for. Their relationships are more grassroots, with everyone coexisting together, especially in the day program. The staff was always very concerned about the well-being and progress of the individuals, which was something of a shock to Kate, who was accustomed to the routine workers by her got into. The Arc of Cape May County had a personal approach that she continues to feel inspired by.
When first getting to know the workers and residents, Kate visited a home that requires and is funded for behavioral support. At the time, the individuals living there were going through a difficult period after losing their clinician. From an outside perspective, some of the behaviors Kate saw would have seemed concerning, but because of her background she knew what to do. Kate helped usher in a new environment at this home with universal supports, and, when she went back home to work remotely in Massachusetts, she was able to see how those supports worked out. One of the issues the house residents and staff had been having was finding a structured opportunity to have a snack, engage with peers, and socialize. When she revisited the home following the changes she had made, she was met with a very gratifying and reinforcing surprise: everyone sitting and eating together.
A Vision for the Future
In the past year, the Arc has hired a second BCBA, Jessica Kane, who works fully in-person
with their residents. Together, she and Kate implement an evidence-based practice called
positive behavior support (PBS), which is not part of the regulation down here as much as it is
where she is from. Their work includes offering choice, personal meaningful activities, and working with adults who want to have relationships, jobs, and independence. Jess is able to set up this environment, and Kate can collect the data from home to see its impact. They are starting to get data sheets, which is a big step forward in their work that will allow them to continue to make positive changes in the lives of Arc residents. Kate says that the buy-in from higher-ups at the Arc has been a huge part of why they have been able to make these changes. Not every organization in the area is as open to using applied behavioral analysis, but the Arc has been, and that has made all the difference. The support at all levels helps make the quality of life better for the people they are working with. When Kate makes the six-hour drive from Massachusetts to Cape May County and sees the results not just of her work, but the work of everyone in the organization, she knows she’s making the right choice with this job. “The relationships between the staff and individuals are so strong,” she shared. “The staff are excited and involved, there is camaraderie between everyone there. This is why I keep doing this.” Kate’s dedication to her work and passion for what she does shines through, and we are proud to have her on our team. We can’t wait to see what she does next to help improve the lives of our community.