As Acorn Health expands its footprint across the country, leaders within our organization are creating clinical standards and processes to ensure our therapists are delivering the same standard of care across our facilities and bringing the very best in ABA to our clients and families. In this article, we’ll introduce three recently advanced clinical leaders at Acorn Health and share how they are making a difference. Learn a little bit about their backgrounds, how they came to Acorn Health, and what makes them so passionate about the life-changing power of ABA.
Claire Ellis, National Director of Clinical Training and Development at Acorn Health
Claire began working in ABA in 2006 as an undergraduate student at Ohio State University, and went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida State University. Fast forward, she has been with an organization that merged with Acorn since 2012, and she says it’s been an excellent experience both personally and professionally.
Most recently she enthusiastically agreed to take on the role of National Director of Clinical Training and Development. In this role she ensures that Acorn Health employees have training, skills development, and growth opportunities to excel within their roles. She builds coursework, coordinates continuing education opportunities and develops programs for staff studying to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts. In a nutshell, she helps our therapists stay in the know on the latest ABA techniques and resources to provide the best opportunities for children and families who walk through our doors.
Claire says, “We are given an opportunity every day to make someone’s life a little better, a little easier and the fact that I get to be part of helping create the framework to ensure we’re doing this well — that excites me!”
Tricia Fare, National Director of Clinical Compliance at Acorn Health
Tricia started her education at Towson University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and went on to receive her Master of Science in Special Education/Applied Behavior Analysis. With experience across a variety of settings including private and public schools, early intervention, and clinic and home-based ABA settings, she most recently served as the Regional Director of Clinical Operations for the Maryland region.
Now as the National Director of Clinical Compliance at Acorn Health, she ensures that our team is providing high-quality and ethical care to all our clients by following industry standards and regulations.
Tricia says “Our clients and families are my inspiration. My motivation is fueled by the realization that my work shapes the services our clients receive.”
Jessica Dow, Vice President of Clinical Standards and Outcomes
Jessica has an educational background in elementary education, and received her Master of Education from McKendree University. Before becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she spent 10 years working as a director of group homes serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and helped them learn to live more independent and fulfilling lives through applied behavior analysis.
In 2016 she became a partner in a small ABA company providing in-home services to children and families, which quickly grew from serving 20 to more than 100 clients over the next few years. In order to expand access to care to more families that needed ABA services, that company partnered with Acorn Health in November 2019. Now as the Vice President of Clinical Standards and Outcomes, she assists in overseeing the development of clinical services and support to clinicians and technicians. She also develops standardized metrics for the organization as well as the field at large to define what constitutes highly effective and high-quality ABA.
Jessica says, “I often tell families that while we may be the experts on behavior, you are the experts of your child and success will come through the partnership we have together. ABA therapy is a commitment, but it is worth it!”