For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 9 LSGurdin Consulting BCBA webinars.
January 2, 2026 @ 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Registration closes January 2, 2026 @ 12:00 pm
SpeakerS
Description
School avoidance/refusal is estimated to affect at least 15% of students nationwide. In Massachusetts alone, nearly 20% of students are considered chronically absent (18+ days out of school) and missing valuable instructional time. Given such numbers, schools are faced with the responsibility to prevent and respond to school refusal/avoidance. Behavior analysts are poised to provide valuable support in such efforts given their expertise in assessment and intervention. These presentations will provide practical and evidence-based approaches for school refusal at the individual and systemic/universal levels, with a focus on how behavior analysts can be leaders in such efforts.
About the SpeakerS
Shannon K. Barry, Ph.D., L.P., LABA, NCSP, BCBA, (she/her) is a MA Licensed Psychologist and Behavior Analyst, and Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She is currently the District Psychologist for Weston Public Schools and a Part-Time Lecturer in the School Psychology Department at Northeastern University. Prior to Weston, Dr. Barry served as a School Psychologist at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School and a Clinical Director and PBIS Coordinator at May Institute. She earned her doctorate in School Psychology from UMass Amherst where she focused on system-wide implementation of multi-tiered systems of support, positive behavior support, and teacher collaboration. Her practical interests and research focuses on assessment and data analysis to inform school-wide systems and practices to support all students’ mental health and skill development.
Catherine A. Rossi, Ph.D., L.P., LABA, BCBA, NCSP, (she/her) is a Massachusetts Licensed Psychologist and Behavior Analyst, and Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and is a licensed Special Education Administrator. She currently practices at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, supporting both students with disabilities and developing systems wide tiered supports. In addition, she’s a Part-Time Lecturer in the Counseling and ABA Departments at Northeastern University. Before working at Assabet, she was the Out of District Coordinator for Watertown Public Schools and a Behavior Consultant at the May Institute, working with students with significant disabilities. Dr. Rossi completed her graduate studies in school psychology at UMass Amherst, focusing on social-emotional learning, system-wide implementation of tiered supports, PBIS, and school consultation. Her professional and research focuses include developing system-wide frameworks to support student mental health and supporting students with significant and comorbid disabilities.
About LSGurdin Consulting CE Program
LSGurdin Consulting is an ACE Provider with an on-demand library on professional development topics including ABA and mental health, social validity, mindfulness, cultural humility, compassionate school ABA, neurodiversity, assent-based treatment, and ABA superpowers. Each event is presented live and also offered on-demand through Behavior Live.
About LSGurdin Consulting
LSGurdin Consulting also offers behavioral consultation to parents and school teams, school and home assessments, staff training and professional development workshops, educational consultation, and program evaluations.
Membership Information
Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.
Event Cancellation Policy
This program is being offered in partnership with LSGurdin Consulting. You will be receiving an email with instructions on how to view the training on Behavior Live. All cancellations or request for information should be directed to Lisa Gurdin at lsgurdin@lsgurdinconsulting.com.
This program is open to all MPY members. PDPs and CEUs are not being offered. BCBAs are eligible to receive CEs through LSGurdin Consulting.