Teaching applied behavior analysis knowledge competencies to direct-care service providers: outcome assessment and social validation of a training program.

Staff training is a critical performance improvement objective within behavioral health care organizations. This study evaluated a systematic training program for teaching applied behavior analysis knowledge competencies to newly hired direct-care employees at a day and residential habilitation services agency for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Three content areas--measurement, behavior support, and skill acquisition--were trained in a group format using Powerpoint® presentations that featured didactic instruction, practice exercises, and video demonstrations. The employees completed an assessment of knowledge test before and after training in each content area. Across five training groups, the average correct posttraining test scores were consistently higher than pretraining test scores. A social validity assessment revealed that the employees judged the training program favorably along several dimensions. Issues pertaining to staff training and performance improvement initiatives are discussed.