Cumulative Record - Spring 2026

Kennedy Krieger Behavioral Psychology Department News

Spring 2026 Issue •

Serving Those Who Serve page 2

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Behavioral Psychology Group Therapy Opportunities page 8

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Community Events page 15

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Spring 2026

Letter From the Editor In April, we celebrated the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and honor the resilience, strength and sacrifices of military-connected families. It is a fitting moment for our department to reflect on a mission that has long been close to our core: serving those who serve.

For nearly 20 years, the Behavioral

Helping Ensure Family Behavioral Health and Military Readiness

Psychology Department has taken great pride in building and sustaining a program serving military-connected families that reflects our deep commitment to supporting service members and their families. What began as a focused effort has grown into a meaningful and impactful program, shaped by dedication, innovation and a shared sense of purpose. In this issue, we are proud to highlight that journey—celebrating its growth, recognizing its accomplishments, and looking ahead to the future we continue to build together.

This issue also gives us the opportunity to honor another cornerstone of our department: our people. We celebrate important milestone anniversaries for staff members whose years of service reflect not only professional excellence but also unwavering loyalty and dedication. Their experience strengthens our foundation; their commitment drives our success; and their presence fosters something truly special—a sense of family.

It is this combination of purpose and people that defines who we are. As you read through this issue, I hope you feel the same pride in our work, our mission and one another that continues to inspire everything we do.

Thank you for being part of what makes this department exceptional.

Lindsay Melvin Editor-in-Chief

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Improving Behavioral Health for the Children of Those Who Serve Our Country Along with the responsibility of serving our nation, military service families bear the stress of frequent moves, parental deployments and living in dangerous environments. They need healthcare providers who can offer them care tailored to the many challenging situations they face.

That’s the mission of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Behavioral Health Services for Military Families, founded 15 years ago within the Institute’s Behavioral Psychology Department. Based in Odenton, Maryland, near the U.S. Army’s Fort Meade installation, the program offers behavioral healthcare at multiple locations, as well as telebehavioral healthcare.

The program has traveled a fast track to success. In 2006, clinicians in the department saw seven clients in seven sessions. By 2025, the number of military families treated per year had grown to 787 clients participating in 8,485 sessions.

Dr. Michael Cataldo, the department’s director, credits this remarkable increase to a combination of factors. Along with offering excellent behavioral health services that target the needs of children and families of service members, the program’s strengths include its strategic planning, understanding of how to

build a network of critical connections, innovative approaches and a healthy dose of serendipity.

Treatment includes using behavioral interventions and cognitive behavioral therapy as well as training parents in problem-solving and educating them about child development and childhood disorders.

Telebehavioral health—offered in state, out of state and internationally—is particularly helpful in allowing families who must move frequently to continue seeing their trusted providers.

Another innovative tool developed within the department is the Military Families Digital Parenting Program. Available to families online, it contains accessible behavioral lessons also helping families overcome the stigma sometimes associated with seeking mental healthcare.

Dr. Cataldo says the program grew from Kennedy Krieger’s dream of improving behavioral healthcare for military families who deserve the best support the country has to offer.

The key to realizing this dream was convincing military leadership that such care could help create the best prepared military force.

“Readiness is the first priority of the [U.S.] Department of Defense,” Dr. Cataldo says. “If people in rank aren’t advancing as planned because their family is having difficulties, that causes disruptions and breakdowns in the system.”

“The defense department needs to keep as many people moving up the ranks as possible without having compassionate reassignment or deferment from orders due to severe, irreconcilable family issues and hardship.”

In 2009, he began building a dedicated clinical service with the help of psychologist Dr. Jennifer Crockett, now director of Kennedy Krieger’s Telehealth Department and Behavioral Health Services for Military Families.

Like many of her colleagues, Dr. Crockett has firsthand knowledge of the needs of military families. For more than two decades, while her husband served in the U.S. Army, she and their children moved frequently. Because her husband was deployed multiple times to the Middle East, she also understands how a parent’s service in a combat zone can affect children.

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“Children in military families face a set of challenges that their peers in civilian families don’t,” she says. “They move, on average, every two to four years. They’re often separated from a parent for a long time. A parent may experience an injury during deployment. All of that can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and behavioral difficulties.

That’s where we can be of help.”

Location, Location, Location The Behavioral Health Services for Military Families program began near Fort George G. Meade, considered one of the biggest and most important military installations in the U.S. Home to all six branches of military service—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force, it is the largest employer in Maryland. It supports more than 54,000 employees and serves as the epicenter of national intelligence and cyber operations, including the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.

Much of its growth in the early 2000s was due to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), a federally mandated process to increase the efficiency of the Department of Defense.

Military veteran Anthony Brown, who became the state’s lieutenant governor in 2007, was involved with the economic growth and development of Cumulative Record | Sp26 | 3

the Fort Meade area while helping implement Maryland's BRAC plan. Dr. Cataldo says Brown’s efforts to guarantee the area was ready for more than 25,000 new households helped expedite launching Behavioral Health Services for Military Families.

The first step was renting space, month by month, to see a handful of patients. Next, the program moved adjacent to a Johns Hopkins pediatric practice that could use its services.

At that time, Dr. Cataldo says, more than half of the behavioral health patients seen at the department’s Odenton location were from militaryconnected families. Their service also expanded to serve both military and nonmilitary families at sites in Howard and Anne Arundel counties.

“For three years, we were increasing the number of patients we serve at a rate of 40% a year, which is phenomenal,” Dr. Cataldo says. “So, in wanting to help military families, we also found a way to expand our clinical services to nonmilitary families in several counties for families who never preferred to go to our Baltimore clinics.”

Virtual Care The next frontier was telebehavioral health.

In 2015, the Behavioral Psychology Department

launched Kennedy Krieger’s first telebehavioral health program for its patients from militaryconnected families. It was a highly innovative approach at a time when few providers offered virtual care.

“We were among the first to test telebehavioral health in the homes of military families—five years before the pandemic,” Dr. Crockett says. “Our small team paved the way, creating the infrastructure the Institute needed.”

Today, the telebehavioral health team has set a model for other providers. Team members work hard to connect families to care as quickly as possible.

“Military families move far more often than typical families do, and combined with waitlists, that creates major barriers to care,” explains psychologist Dr. Sara Hinojosa, who coordinates the telebehavioral health out-of-state program.

Although the benefits of telehealth seem obvious now, Dr. Cataldo says it was still necessary to persuade military leaders.

With the assistance of retired Maj. Gen. Jim Gilman and Maj. Gen. Richard Thomas Jr., the defense department established a trial telehealth program to provide military families everywhere with services comparable to hospital-based behavioral health services to preserve their readiness for duty.

Approval for a two-year telehealth pilot was soon made permanent.

“You can have all the ideas and preparation you want, but unless you find people who are aligned with your idea, it will never happen,” Dr. Cataldo says. “It’s a series of such individuals that make this possible.”

Dr. Crockett agrees. “I still get chills thinking about how it all came together. This amazing growth all started with Mike getting together with some real estate agents and finding some space that would work for us and for families.”

Helping Families to Help Themselves The latest advance in improving access to healthcare is the Digital Parenting Program run

by psychologist Dr. Jessica Becraft, director of clinical outcomes in the Behavioral Psychology Department.

She says the online platform, introduced in 2023, offers fast-track approaches for a variety of disruptive behaviors.

“We thought if there are some methods that we tell all our patient families about, there must be a more efficient way to get that information to people.”

The Kennedy Krieger Parenting Platform uses the same evidence-based protocols as the department’s outpatient programs in order to help parents manage their child’s behavior.

The site includes 54 tutorials with videos, demonstrations and step-by-step instructions on topics such as managing tantrums, resisting bedtime, picky eating and teaching your child to tolerate “no.”

Dr. Becraft says some of the tutorials address issues for military families such as how to talk to your child if a parent is going to be deployed, and how to ease the transition of having a permanent change of station.

Plans are underway to upgrade the Parenting Platform as well as one for military families. Both were created, in part, by the Department of Defense funding that Kennedy Krieger receives for its postdoctoral training and other programs designed to support military-connected children and families.

The Behavioral Health Services for Military Families program is now nationally recognized as a key partner of the Military Child & Family Collaboratory to enhance healthcare and support for militaryconnected youth with mental health, emotional, developmental and/or behavioral needs. The national recognition underscores the department’s dedication to finding innovative ways to improve their healthcare, Dr. Crockett says.

“The sacrifices military families make to protect our country are significant,” she adds. “We see what they go through—we know the children serve right alongside their parents. It is truly an honor to serve them.” n

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A Multifaceted Team Provides Excellent Care for Military-Connected Families While clinicians at the Behavioral Health Services for Military Families program help children and their parents overcome the daily challenges of their military world, they also recognize their strengths.

Psychologist Dr. Christi Culpepper sees hundreds of military families a year in the Child and Family Therapy Clinic in Odenton, which also has locations in Baltimore and Columbia. She says her experience in treating children for emotional and behavioral difficulties, many related to adjusting to deployment and relocation, highlights the resilience of military families and their adaptability to new systems.

“Children from military families often fall into place, so to speak, a little bit easier than civilian children do. In civilian families, there's not as much rigidity around taking our recommendations and putting them into practice. Military service members are rule followers.

“They are doing their job, they are serving our country, and they also understand how important Cumulative Record | Sp26 | 5

family is. They understand that they create and hold the structure for their children.”

Psychologist Dr. Jaime Benson, associate director of the department’s outpatient Behavior Management Clinic, serves on the board of the Fort Meade Alliance, an independent nonprofit organization that focuses on initiatives in education and workforce development, business community growth, and military and family support to help drive the overall health and success of the region.

“We know that support networks are critical for resilience,” she says, adding that the member organizations of the Fort Meade Alliance offer various types of support, including mental healthcare and access to financial resources. Dr. Benson has also worked closely with Blue Star Families and the Anne Arundel County Public Library to implement a reading program that aims to strengthen social connections for military and civilian families.

When providers understand military culture, they can more easily identify and address the difficulties that military families face. Along with their clinical duties, Dr. Culpepper and Dr. Benson lead a training series focused on providing culturally informed services for military families.

Over the course of a year, trainees work alongside supervisors to provide culturally informed care to children and parents while also hearing from experts, including leaders of local community agencies, about military life and how it affects families. Some postdocs now practice full time on military installations—in the vanguard of the next generation of behavioral psychologists.

Like some other team members, Dr. Sara Hinojosa has relatives who are service members, including her husband, a veteran of the Marines.

Psychologist Dr. Michelle Bubnik-Harrison, program coordinator for Behavioral Health Services for Military Families, treats many out-of-state military families through telebehavioral health. She also works with the Fort Meade Alliance on “Healthy Little Cooks,” a series of cooking classes that offers free take-home grocery bags of fresh food and strives to connect families with each other while also teaching participants about healthy foods.

“Enhancing the well-being of military families falls into my therapeutic realm as a great accompaniment to mindfulness,” Dr. BubnikHarrison says.

“While we're all primarily clinicians, a slice of our time is devoted to outreach,” Dr. Benson adds. “I think my role is to help build these relationships with the community and be a reliable, trusted source.”

Last year, she created an event for militaryconnected and civilian children at the Anne Arundel County Library to celebrate the Month of the Military Child. One activity invited children to create a painting with a local artist. Another featured an improv specialist who helped participants talk about their experiences—an activity Dr. Benson considered particularly helpful for kids 8 to 12 years old.

As program coordinator for Behavioral Health Services for Military Families, Dr. Hinojosa primarily supports out-of-state patients who are eligible for telebehavioral health with Kennedy Krieger in 23 states.

“We know that support networks are critical for resilience” – Dr. Jaime Benson

“Many families are worried because they have moves coming up. It makes me really proud that we can now stay with them and keep working together.”

She says roughly 80% of the military families who engage in telebehavioral health make “substantial progress” toward their goals.

“The work at their jobs is really hard,” Dr. Benson says, “and they work really hard in treatment, too.” n Cumulative Record | Sp26 | 6

Resources for Military Families The conflict in Iran has introduced uncertainty for many Americans. Military-connected families are particularly impacted by times of war. Regardless of whether a loved one is experiencing an active deployment, war can evoke complex emotional reactions. Throughout history, military families have consistently shown resilience, adaptability and strength across generations. The sacrifices made by service members are shared by those closest to them. Resources and strategies are available to help families strengthen coping mechanisms, resilience and connection during this time.

Below you will find a variety of resources that support military-connected youth and their families available at kennedykrieger.org/military: Brief Tips Developed by Kennedy Krieger Institute: • Telling your child about deployment/PCS • Preparing children for a caregiver’s absence • Telling your child upsetting news • Supporting teens through PCS • Using a visual schedule • Managing frustrating situations • Supporting your child through reintegration • Building connection through mealtimes • Strengthen your bond through play • Catch them being good Services at Kennedy Krieger Institute: If your family needs more support, Kennedy Krieger can offer additional services: Our team has created full-length digital parenting resources on the topics above, as well as other strategies to manage common parenting Cumulative Record | Sp26 | 7

challenges. These resources are available to Kennedy Krieger patients at no extra cost. If you are military-connected (Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Veterans) but NOT a Kennedy Krieger patient, you can get access by enrolling in a research study.

Reach out to bptutorials@kennedykrieger.org for more information.

We also are able to provide behavioral health services for military families local to Maryland or via telehealth in a number of eligible states. Please call 667-205-4900 to be triaged to our appointment list.

Additional Resources: Various organizations also have resources that may help families navigate this challenging moment or address trauma that might occur as a result of military service.

Resources Specific to Military Stressors for Children:

Sesame Street for Military Families: ■ Routines | Sesame Street for Military Families sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/routines

■ Deployments | Sesame Street: How to Prepare sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/deployments

■ Injuries | Military: Helping Kids Cope Sesame Street sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/injuries

■ Grief |Sesame Street: Explaining Death to Children sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/grief

■ Talking to Youth When Scary Things Happen (En Español) nctsn.org/resources/talking-to-youth-when-scarythings-happen

■ Talking to Teens When Difficult Things Happen (En Español) nctsn.org/resources/talking-to-teens-when-difficultthings-happen

■ Creating Supportive Environments When Scary Things Happen (En Español)

nctsn.org/resources/creating-supportive-environmentswhen-scary-things-happen

■ What to Do When the News Scares You Military One Source: ■ Support for Deployed Military Parents

militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/ deployed-military-parent-support

■ Military Deployment Support for Teens

militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/militarydeployment-support-for-teens

■ When a Parent Deploys: Ages 2 to 5

militaryonesource.mil/resources/webinars/when-aparent-deploys-ages-2-to-5

■ Strengthen Military Family Bonds

militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/ strengthen-family-bonds

■ Tips for Strengthening Family Resilience

militaryonesource.mil/parenting/new-parents/familyresilience-protective-factors

■ About MWR: Morale, Welfare & Recreation

militaryonesource.mil/military-basics/extended-familyfriend/about-mwr-morale-welfare-and-recreation

Other Resources: ■ Babies on the Homefront: App to help deployed parents stay connected to infants and toddlers babiesonthehomefront.org

■ Comfort Kits for Military Connected Children comfortcrew.org/kits

■ Effects of Deployment on Children & Families | American Academic of Pediatrics

healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotionalwellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/Deployment-andChildren.aspx

Managing Children and Youth Exposure to Upsetting News:

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: ■ Talking to Children about War nctsn.org/resources/talking-to-children-about-war

apa.org/pubs/magination/what-to-do-when-the-newsscares-your-revised-edition

Resources for Supporting Children and Youth who are Exposed to Trauma: National Child Traumatic Stress Network: ■ Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (En Español; ASL; Dari; Pashto)

nctsn.org/resources/age-related-reactions-traumaticevent

■ Talking to Youth When Scary Things Happen (En Español) nctsn.org/resources/talking-to-youth-when-scarythings-happen

■ Talking to Teens When Difficult Things Happen (En Español) nctsn.org/resources/talking-to-teens-when-difficultthings-happen

■ Creating Supportive Environments When Scary Things Happen (En Español)

nctsn.org/resources/creating-supportive-environmentswhen-scary-things-happen

■ USU Center for Study of Traumatic Stress cstsonline.org

■ Tools for Stress and Worry - Cohen Veterans Network

cohenveteransnetwork.org/tools-for-stress-and-worry

Additional agencies/resources: ■ NCTSN | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: NCTSN.org is a resource for the public, professionals and others who care about children and are concerned about child traumatic stress. nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/populations-at-risk/ military-and-veteran-families/nctsn-resources

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Staff Highlights Kendra Dixon, Intake Specialist II Kendra Dixon is a human services professional with a strong background in child care and family support. She holds an associate of arts in human services from Rasmussen University and has additional training in early childhood education.

Dixon’s passion for the mental health field was inspired by experiences working as a child care provider at a Children of America preschool, where she witnessed how emotional and behavioral challenges impacted children with specialized needs.

In her position as a child care director, she oversaw daily operations, supported staff members, partnered with families and ensured a safe and nurturing learning environment for children. She also worked as a behavior technician for children with behavioral needs, implementing behavior plans and helping improve their communication and social skills.

These experiences led Dixon to join the Behavioral Psychology Department, where she continues to grow professionally while supporting children and their families.

What she enjoys most about working in the Behavioral Psychology Department is assisting families in finding behavioral therapy resources for their children and supporting them throughout the process.

She is especially passionate about helping youth and families from diverse and underserved communities.

Building on her dedication to educating and inspiring young minds, Dixon has written a children’s book, “Tish’s Journey to Becoming a Boss,” which will be available this summer.

Outside of work, Dixon enjoys doing crafts, spending quality time with her husband and their three children, and caring for “Bruno, a happy goldendoodle, who brings joy and energy to our home.” n

Jasmine Diaz, Intake Specialist II Before coming to Kennedy Krieger Institute, Jasmine Diaz worked as an MRI tech aide at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown and as a receptionist at The Neurology Center in Silver Spring. “I’m passionate about supporting patients and improving access to care,” she says.

“I chose to major in science because I always wanted to have an understanding of how people’s brains and their overall health impact their daily living.”

Diaz holds a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from George Mason University and a master’s in biology from Chatham University in Pittsburgh.

Excited to be part of the Behavioral Psychology Department, Diaz particularly looks forward to assisting families as well as communicating with

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Spanish-speaking families and helping them feel comfortable receiving services through the department.

Diaz grew up in Montgomery County, where she still lives.

Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her “beautiful, energetic 9-month-old goldendoodle, Kookie.” She also enjoys drinking coffee, especially if it’s caramel-flavored, and eating pupusas and authentic tacos. n

WELCOME, NEW STAFF AND FACULTY MEMBERS! NBU IP

Hamalah-Naji Saleh, Clinical Assistant I

Ikimah Abdullah-Waddy, Clinical Assistant I

Toni Smith, Clinical Assistant I

Miriam-Ester Akobe, Clinical Assistant I

Destiny Smith, Clinical Assistant I

Arham Alam, Clinical Assistant I

Clifton Smith, Clinical Assistant I

Kailey Bawcombe, Clinical Assistant I

Clara Strines, Behavior Data Specialist I

Shaniera Bishop, Clinical Assistant I

Rhian Taylor, Clinical Assistant I

Croswell Black, Clinical Assistant I

Jackson Vieth, Clinical Assistant I

Tiyone Bowie, Clinical Assistant I

Madison White, Clinical Assistant I

Ronald Brooks, Clinical Assistant I

Mackenzie Wright, Clinical Assistant I

Ciera Canady, Clinical Assistant I

Lavender Young, Clinical Assistant I

Carrington Colson, Clinical Assistant I Jasmine Crawford, Clinical Assistant I

Administration

Maiya Dickey, Clinical Assistant I

Taylor Burrow, Patient Services Specialist

Autumn Ford, Clinical Assistant I

Jasmine Diaz, Intake Specialist II

Brianna Ford, Clinical Assistant I

Kendra Dixon, Intake Specialist II

Chelsey Gasque, Clinical Assistant I

Robin Locks, Executive Assistant I

Micheal Gordon, Clinical Assistant I Areyanna Holloway, Clinical Assistant I Janaiya Howard, Clinical Assistant I Travon Jenkins, Clinical Assistant I Mya Lehn, Clinical Assistant I Gabrielle Maguire, Clinical Assistant I Daisha McCall, Clinical Assistant I Lorali Morris, Recreation Activities Staff I Nia Nebanmor, Clinical Assistant I Shakemma Nelson, Clinical Assistant I Sarah Ngimbi, Clinical Assistant I Immanuel Parham, Clinical Assistant I Colby-Tanija Pryor, Clinical Assistant I Kaylen Randall, Clinical Assistant I Taliyah Robertson, Clinical Assistant I Tyler Robinson, Clinical Assistant I Michael Rowe, Clinical Assistant I

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Behavioral Psychology Group Therapy Opportunities Navigating the complexities of family life and treatment can often feel like a solitary endeavor, but growth thrives in connection. Group therapy offers a unique space where shared experiences transform into collective resilience, providing families with both professional guidance and peer support.

Below you will find a list of the group therapy opportunities currently offered by our department.

Child and Family Therapy Clinic Group Programs Anxiety Skills Group for Adolescents These skill-based groups provide treatment for patients (9th–12th grades) who experience difficulty with anxiety in a number of areas (e.g., social, health, academic and generalized anxiety). Group goals include: 1. Improving skills to cope with physiological symptoms and anxious thoughts, 2. Reducing distress and avoidance of anxiety provoking situations, and 3. Practicing strategies to successfully engage in anxiety-provoking situations.

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Brave Together: Healing Through Awareness and Connection This group, which include skills training, processing and support, is designed to help families and teens (9th–12th grades) deepen their understanding of how past experiences may affect emotional and physical well-being. Group goals include: 1. Recognizing signs of stress and trauma, 2. Encouraging acquisition and utilization of effective coping strategies, and 3. Helping patients and families identify community resources and build stronger support systems. The group offers an opportunity for reflection, growth and empowerment through shared healing.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups These skill-based groups provide treatment for patients (6th–12th grades) who present concerns related to depression, social withdrawal, anxiety, irritability, self-injury (e.g. cutting), risk-taking, impulsivity and relationship difficulties. Group goals include: 1. Improving coping skills to regulate emotions and behaviors, 2. Strengthening the parent-child relationship, and 3. Increasing interpersonal effectiveness.

Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills Group for Children and Adolescents These skill-based groups provide treatment for patients (3rd–12th grades) who experience difficulty interacting with others. Group goals include: 1. Building basic behavioral and cognitive social skills, 2. Reinforcing prosocial attitudes and behaviors, and 3. Promoting adaptive coping strategies for social situations.

Mindful Parenting Group In the Mindful Parenting group, parents learn to apply mindfulness-based skills to themselves and to their experience of parenting their children to help them to parent with fuller awareness and slow down their automatic reactions. When we become aware of these automatic reactions, we can choose to respond differently, in more effective ways. Parents will learn both formal mindfulnessbased practices, such as meditations and yoga, as well as learn mindfulness of everyday activities, with a focus on day-to-day parenting and family activities. Most families will find the group helpful with: reducing their parenting stress, improving

their relationship with their child, parenting more effectively or less impulsively, and/or helping their child be calmer or better regulated.

Parent-Teen Group for Academic Success These skill-based groups provide treatment for teen patients (8th–12th grades) who experience executive functioning difficulties, and their parents. This group helps teens develop skills and consistency that promote success at school and home by incorporating organization skills and strategies from the Supporting Teens’ Autonomy Daily (STAND) manual. Group goals include: 1. Helping families build partnerships, 2. Developing independence in teens, and 3. Promoting problem-solving techniques that address the challenge of technology use in schools.

Teen Support Group This structured social support group provides support for teens as they navigate typical adolescent identity development (9th–12th grade).

This group provides skills-based learning and discusses topics of interest including: 1. Managing identity related stressors, 2. Use of social media, 3. Impact of family relationships, and 4. Exploration of other life issues. These groups include parent-only sessions, psychoeducation on relevant topics, and also highlights community resources.

For more information on CFT group therapy, contact Dr. Chandni Patel (PatelC@kennedykrieger.org) or email cftgroups@kennedykrieger.org

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Behavior Management Clinic Group Programs BMC Elementary Friendship Group for Social Skill Development Tuesdays 4-5:30 p.m.

March 10–May 5 BMC at Odenton is offering an eight-week inperson social skill group for elementary children in 1st–3rd grade (about 6–9 years old). These sessions will help children develop social skills in a group setting that will use the Social Skillstreaming curriculum and provide time for modeling, roleplay and practicing the skills with other children, feedback, and transferring the skills outside of session with home practice. A few of the key social skills that will be covered are listed below: ■ Introductions ■ Sharing ■ Dealing with anger ■ Dealing with losing/games ■ Starting conversations ■ Expressing feelings ■ Apologizing ■ Problem-solving ■ Joining in ■ Recognizing other’s feelings ■ Self-control strategies ■ Dealing with accusations (conflict)

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AGES: Elementary school-age children 1st–3rd grade (about 6–9 years old) REQUIREMENTS: Children that would benefit from learning a variety of social skills in a group setting and applying them. Children should not engage in unsafe behaviors (aggression that leads to injury, self-injury, elopement, etc.) nor have significant developmental delays. Participants will need to commit to the eight weekly appointments. The caregiver will need to attend one session prior (60-minute intake) to the start of the group.

Pediatric Developmental Disabilities Clinic Group Programs Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS): This group aims to teach children how to make and keep friendships.

■ SKILLS TAUGHT: Trading information, two-way conversations, electronic communication, finding appropriate friends, appropriate use of humor, entering and exiting a conversation, get-togethers, good sportsmanship, teasing and embarrassing feedback, handling disagreements ■ AGES: Middle School (11–14 yo) and High School (14–17 yo) continued on page 17

Research Highlight The Department of Behavioral Psychology has expanded knowledge through its study and treatment of behavior problems across the developmental spectrum, focusing on genetic disorders and the problems of aggression and self-injury.

It has produced more than 1,000 publications, with high-impact papers changing practice and stimulating further innovation. In each issue, Cumulative Record highlights published research that represents the department’s exceptional work.

Rapid Conversion from Clinic to Telehealth Behavioral Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crockett, J.L., Becraft, J.L., Phillips, S.T., Wakeman, M. & Cataldo, M.F. (2020). Rapid conversion from clinic to telehealth behavioral services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Behavior Analysis in Practice, Volume 13 / Pages 725-735

Abstract Survival often depends on behavior that can adapt to rapid changes in contingencies, which should be particularly well suited to a contingency-sensitive and data-based discipline such as applied behavior analysis (ABA). The speed and scale with which contingencies shifted in early March 2020 due to the effects of COVID-19 represent a textbook case for rapid adaptation with a direct impact on the survival of many types of enterprises. We describe here the impact, changes and outcomes achieved by a large, multifaceted ABA clinical program that has (a) ongoing data that forecasted and tracked changes, (b) staff well practiced with data-based shifts in operations (behavior), and (c) up-to-date information (data) on policy and regulations. The results showed rapid shifts in client and staff behavior on a daily basis, shifts in services from in-person services to telehealth, and increases in volumes, revenue and margins. We detail regulations and provide actionable steps that clinical organizations can take pertinent to this shift now and in the future.

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the importance of maintaining robust coordination and communication across our field in order to address crises that affect our field.

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE: doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00499-8

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IN THE COMMUNITY

MILITARY EVENTS

Women's Leadership Breakfast The Central Maryland Chamber hosted its inaugural Women’s Leadership Breakfast. Dr. Michelle BubnikHarrison, psychologist and chair of the Women’s Leadership Roundtable, moderated the fireside chat with esteemed guests Col. Yolanda Gore and Shennetta Griffin. It was an authentic and inspiring discussion that emphasized mentorship to pave the way for younger generations and community partnerships to best serve our communities.

From left, Dr. Michelle BubnikHarrison; Col. Yolanda Gore, garrison commander of Fort Meade; Shennetta Griffin, executive director of the Maryland Aviation Administration; and Johnetta Thurston, vice chair for the Central Maryland Chamber.

Pathways to Progress Presentation On Tuesday, April 21, in Bethesda, Jacqui Carrow presented at Pathways Maryland to Progress: Collaborative Action for Military Child & Family WellBeing. The purpose of the event was to bring together subject matter experts, military families, researchers, clinicians, policymaker, and key stakeholders to align efforts and strengthen systems of care supporting the mental health, emotional, developmental and behavioral well-being of militaryconnected children and families.

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their engagement with the content, and future directions of the program.

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Soar and Explore Military Family Fun Events Our staff attended multiple events throughout April to celebrate the Month of the Military Child and to promote our military program and services. Angie Carrick & Parwinder Kaur attended the Soar and Explore Military Family Fun events at Urban Air locations in Frederick and Glen Burnie.

On April 7, Parwinder Kaur and Michelle Bubnik-Harrison were in attendance at the Family Advocacy Program Family Fun Fair at Fort Meade. Other events attended by Bubnik-Harrison, Gaur, and Carrick included the Maryland National Guard 5K and Resource Fair, the 4th Annual Meade Cluster Spring Event, and the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Family Kite Festival.

On April 12, our Behavioral Psychology ROAR team, made up of 19 staff members and their family and friends, participated in the 22nd annual ROAR for Kids 5K. Our team raised over $1,500. Many of our Behavioral Psychology families struggle with food insecurity. The funds raised through ROAR for Kids will be used to support our programs by funding food baskets for those families that need extra support during the holiday season, as well as coats and winter clothing for patients in need.

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Resources for Military Families continued from page 8 ■ Support for Military Personnel & Families | Military OneSource: Counseling resources militaryonesource.mil

■ Military & Family Life Counseling Near Me | Military OneSource: Directory to find nearest military and family life counselors (MFLC) militaryonesource.mil/resources/tools/mflc-locator

■ Our Military Kids: Provides grants for extracurricular activities for military kids with deployed parents ourmilitarykids.org

■ United Through Reading App – United Through Reading: Keeps military families reading ready, no matter the distance, by providing the opportunity for service members to video record story time for a child they love. unitedthroughreading.org/app

■ DoD Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program – Official Site: Deployment support and information for National Guard and Reserve members yellowribbon.mil

■ Bloom | Empowering the Military Teen: Platform to connect military teens through content creation and community-building bloommilitaryteens.org

■ ZERO TO THREE: Provides information to support military families with infants and toddlers zerotothree.org/military

■ FOCUS: Families Overcoming Under Stress: Provides resilience training to military children, families and couples focusproject.org

■ Blue Star Families: Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit serving and representing military and veteran families. Blue Star Families is committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors–individuals and organizations–to create vibrant communities of mutual support. bluestarfam.org

■ Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families: Provides resources for militaryconnected families living in Maryland veterans.maryland.gov

Compiled by: Sara Hinojosa, Ph.D.; Jaime Benson, Ph.D.; Michelle Bubnik-Harrison, Ph.D.; and Jennifer Crockett, Ph.D. n Cumulative Record | Sp26 | 17

Behavioral Psychology Group Therapy Opportunities continued from page 13 ■ CRITERIA: • Fairly high language abilities • Child is self-motivated to participate in group and learn skills • No intellectual disability diagnosis Superheroes: This program is to help children develop skills for appropriate interaction with peers and adults.

■ SKILLS TAUGHT: Following directions, anxiety reduction and participating, generalized imitation and body basics, recognizing and expressing wants and needs, turn taking/ sharing/playing cooperatively, responding to questions and requests, conversation and topic maintenance, perspective taking and problemsolving ■ AGES: Younger group (6–8 yo) and Older group (9–11 yo) ■ CRITERIA: • Language skills of at least 7 yo Unstuck and On Target: This program is for those wanting to learn how to increase flexibility, problem-solving and coping skills and is appropriate for children with autism, ADHD, attention concerns or executive function challenges.

■ SKILLS TAUGHT: Flexibility, getting stuck, plan a plan b, consolidating and compromise, big deal little deal, choice no choice, handling the unexpected, why be flexible ■ AGES: Younger group (8–9 yo) and Older group (10–11 yo) ■ CRITERIA: • Language skills of at least 7 yo • No significant intellectual disability Soccer Social Skills Program - Fairmount Our soccer group focuses on teaching soccer skills (passing, goal kicking, dribbling, defending) in conjunction with more broad social/ conversation skills (back and forth conversation, good sportsmanship, entering or exiting groups.

It is a TOPSoccer program. n

KUDOS Employee Service Awards Congratulations to our Behavioral Psychology staff

5 YEARS ■ Nancy Hargrave Hawkins

■ Melissa Holliday

members who were honored at the Employee Service Celebration on May 14 for

10 YEARS ■ Jessica Allen

reaching their milestone

■ Dawn Bell

anniversaries in 2025! We

■ Alison Kozlowski, PhD

are grateful for this year's

■ Katherine Nunez

award recipients for their

■ Sherika Griffin

dedication, commitment and diligence to the department, the Institute and the families we serve.

20 YEARS ■ Kerry Drinkuth

■ Parwinder Kaur ■ Daria Savage ■ Raquel Wells

■ Tenieka Bland ■ Karen Janowiak 25 YEARS ■ Tresi Liimonti ■ Martha Valencia 35 YEARS ■ Paige Dobry 50 YEARS ■ Michael Cataldo, PhD

Quality & Safety Champions Each year, Kennedy Krieger honors exemplary staff through the Quality & Safety Champion Program. Staff are nominated because they initiate and participate in performance improvement activities and demonstrate practices that are safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered. The following Behavioral Psychology staff members were honored at the reception on May 15.

The following individuals are being recognized as Quality and Safety Champions ■ Devrron Coleman, Behavioral Psychology ■ Danielle Evans, Behavioral Psychology ■ Michelle Frank-Crawford, Behavioral Psychology, PhD ■ Oluwasegun Ogun, Behavioral Psychology

Cumulative Record Cumulative Record is produced by the Kennedy Krieger Behavioral Psychology Department.

Editor-in-Chief Lindsay Melvin

Senior Editor & Writer Linell Smith

Graphic Designer Abby Jackson

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