Training Director: Jennifer Zarcone, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Website: www.mayinstitute.org

Fellowship Term: Begins on or after August 7, 2023

Training Leadership:

Cynthia Anderson, Senior Vice President, Applied Behavior Analysis / Director of the National Autism Center at May Institute 
e. canderson@mayinstitute.org

Ivy Chong, Senior Vice President, Children's Services 
e. ichong@mayinstitute.org

Jessica Cohenour, Clinical Director, jcohenour@mayinstitute.org

Cara Phillips, Executive Director, Wilmington School, cphillips@mayinstitute.org

Bob Putnam, Executive VP of PBIS, bputnam@mayinstitute.org

Joe Ricciardi, Senior Clinical Director, Norwood School, jricciardi@mayinstitute.org

Lauren Solotar, President and CEO, lsolotar@mayinstitute.org

Sarah Weddle, Divisional Director of Adult Clinical Services, sweddle@mayinstitute.org

Training Philosophy

Postdoctoral fellowships in applied behavior analysis at the May Institute provide advanced training in the science and practice of behavior analysis and prepare fellows to function independently in their profession (psychology, behavior analysis, special education). The goals of fellowship training include: advanced training in assessment, treatment, case management, research, supervision, and ethical and professional behavior.

Fellows will be able to accrue supervision hours towards Board Licensure in Psychology and/or practicum hours towards certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.

Training Opportunities

Fellowships provide specialized training in one or more of the following areas: applied verbal behavior, severe problem behavior, school consultation, parent training, and systems-change. Fellows complete their fellowships (1-2 years) in one or more of the following programs: May Center Schools; Home, School, and Center-Based Services; Adult Services; or research-funded projects.

May Center Schools for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder – Two locations

The May Center Schools are located in Randolph, MA and Wilmington, MA. The schools apply the principles of behavior analysis to the assessment and treatment of core and associated features of autism spectrum disorder including communication, social interaction, addressing repetitive behaviors, and severe problem behavior. Students served in the schools typically present with significant behavioral and/or learning challenges. The May Center School at Randolph also provides residential services to eligible students.

A video overview of the May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Randolph, Mass.

Adult Services

May Institute serves approximately 450 individuals in residential and day habilitation services across Massachusetts. The fellowship will be located in Randolph, MA and will involve overseeing research, supervision, and training projects in our adult services programs. The focus of our clinical work is on improving quality of life for adults with disabilities through meaningful home and community engagement. We design and implement employee training focused on building therapeutic relationships, engagement in person-centered planning, teaching essential life skills, and promoting healthy relationships.

A video from the May Center for Adult Services: Meet Nancy 

Research

A research fellowship at May Institute is dependent on grant funding and provides fellows with training in any or all of the following areas: the pre-award process, post-award management, coordination of multi-site projects, implementation of randomized controlled research trials, and implementation science. Current or pending research projects include (a) a randomized, controlled trial of a modular, school-based interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder, (b) a feasibility study of a parent-mediated intervention addressing anxiety experienced by autistic children, and (c) an evaluation of mechanisms underlying effective interventions for automatically reinforced self-injury.  In addition to participating in the research studies, fellows will have the opportunity to receive mentoring in developing their own line of independent research. There also may be opportunities to pursue research questions using single-subject research designs and program evaluation. 

Positive Behavior Interventions and Support

The May Institute provides technical assistance to public, private schools and agencies around improving behavior support practices using applied behavior analysis and positive behavior interventions and supports around individuals, classrooms, schools, districts, and states. Its focus has been using a multi-tiered framework focusing on systems, data, and practices. The goal has been to produce meaningful student outcomes cost-effectively. A fellow in this site would support districts and schools and classrooms in the implementation of PBIS as well as participate in ongoing research and dissemination projects of PBIS in a variety of settings. 

The May Institute is one of 12 national partners of the National Technical Assistance Center for PBIS funded by the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Program for research and dissemination of PBIS. Our program currently supports over 30 districts and over 100 schools in implementing PBIS across Massachusetts 

Supervision and Training Activities

Each postdoctoral fellow will work with their supervisor to develop an individualized training plan that is aligned with the fellow’s goals for training. Depending on interests, these experiences could include opportunities for direct clinical work, consultation, supervision of others, the conduct of research, providing workshops or other trainings, and administrative activities. Fellows are required to complete a minimum of 2000 hours of fellowship. Supervision occurs during individual supervision for at least two hours per week in addition to at least 2 hours of group supervision. Postdoctoral fellows have funding to attend national conferences and professional development activities within the May Institute through our Continuing Education series.
 

Application Guidelines

Qualifications for Fellowship in Applied Behavior Analysis include:

• Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree in psychology, behavior analysis, or special education from a regionally accredited institute of higher education.
• Prior supervised experience working in schools, residential services, or clinical settings individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related disorders.

To apply for a Fellowship in Applied Behavior Analysis, please submit:

• Cover letter describing the fellowship program(s) you are applying for, the reasons why the fellowship is of interest to you, and a summary of your academic preparation and professional experiences that are related to the fellowship.
• Curriculum vita
• Letters of recommendation from two professors or professional supervisors (sent directly to Dr. Zarcone).

Before beginning the fellowship, you will also need to submit:

• Official transcripts from your graduate program(s)
• Verification letter that you have completed all requirements for your Ph.D. (to be completed by your dissertation chair or the director of your training program), if your transcripts do not reflect that your degree has been awarded.
   

Deadline for applications is December 16^th, 2022, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by the APPIC uniform notification date (2/27/23), if desired.

Please direct all questions to Jennifer Zarcone or any of the faculty listed above.

Please send application materials to Dr. Jennifer Zarcone at jzarcone@mayinstitute.org.

Fellowship term begins on or after August 7, 2023.

“Completing a post-doctoral fellowship at May Institute allowed me to hone my clinical skills in Applied Behavior Analysis, introduce me to new and current trends in research, and learn from some incredible psychologists who are leaders in the field.”

─ Dan Clark