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The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaAuthor: Matt Cicoria
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria is an interview-based show that features conversations with innovative scientists and practitioners in the field of Behavior Analysis. The podcast covers topics such as Autism, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Functional Communication Training, Verbal Behavior, and more! Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Less Pressure, More Productivity: Rethinking BCBA Billable Hours | Session 340 with Matt Linder
Episode 340
Wednesday, 14 October, 2026
What happens when an organization responds to a productivity problem by lowering its billable-hour requirement? In Session 340 the Behavioral Observations Podcast, Matt Linder, Chief Operating Officer of First Children's Services, and Founder and CEO of Desired Effect Coaching Solutions, joins me to discuss an organizational challenge that will be familiar to many ABA providers: high BCBA turnover, low morale, and a compensation system built around demanding billable-hour expectations. Matt describes how the existing system required BCBAs to average 28 billable hours per week and included consequences for falling short of those expectations. At the same time, the organization was experiencing substantial BCBA turnover, with 31 BCBAs leaving over an 18-month period. Rather than simply increasing pressure to meet productivity expectations, Matt helped redesign the system. The organization lowered required billable hours by approximately four hours per week while maintaining salaries, and introduced a positive reinforcement-based bonus system that allowed BCBAs to earn additional compensation for exceeding their targets and supervising behavior technicians. How did this all work out? Tune in to hear how making these somewhat counterintuitive changes substantially reduced turnover and increased productivity. During our conversation, Matt and I discuss: Why the original compensation and productivity system was creating problems. How turnover costs helped make the business case for changing the system. The decision to lower billable-hour requirements while maintaining BCBA salaries. Shifting from punitive contingencies to a bonus system based on positive reinforcement. Creating a transparent compensation calculator so employees could see how the new system would affect their earnings. The importance of employee feedback and trust during organizational change. Monitoring for unintended consequences when changing performance contingencies. Why financial and productivity measures aren't sufficient without meaningful measures of clinical outcomes. Developing career ladders and leadership opportunities for RBTs. Lessons for behavior analysts who want to begin doing OBM work. Matt also discusses several initiatives currently underway at First Children's Services, including improved measurement of clinical outcomes, an RBT career ladder and mentorship system, and the integration of newly acquired private schools. Toward the end of the conversation, Matt offers a useful starting point for behavior analysts interested in OBM: identify clearly what you're trying to accomplish, determine how you're going to measure it, and then use behavioral principles to evaluate whether the changes you make are actually producing the outcomes you want. Resources: First Children's Services: firstchildrenservices.com Careers at First Children's Services Matt Linder: mlinder@firstchildrenservices.com Abernathy (2009): Walden Two Revisited: Optimizing Behavioral Systems Abernathy (1996): The Sin of Wages: Where the Conventional Pay System has Led Us, and How to Find a Way Out Binder (2024): The Value in Focusing on Work Outputs Sponsor shoutouts! Behavior University. Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their 8-hour Supervision Course, as well as their RBT offerings over at behavioruniversity.com/observations. Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout! Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here. HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years. Rethinking Resilience: Join The Behavioral Toolbox International on November 10th for a one-day virtual conference focused on building schools where students and staff can adapt, recover, and thrive. Featuring Adithyan Rajaraman, Steven Ward, Paulie Gavoni, and more, this event offers practical strategies for supporting students, educators, and school systems, along with 7 BACB CEUs. Register on BehaviorLive and use promo code BEHAVIORNAV15 to save $15!
