Hanna Aggen
On Nov. 8, Blue Peak Center for Applied Behavior Analysis, which is directly affiliated with Mount St. Mary’s, had its grand opening.
The center is going to provide care for children with developmental disabilities using evidence-based therapy to help them thrive in their community.
Alexa Mochan, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, clinical director of the Blue Peak Center, has been working on getting this project off the ground since February. She stated that her position involved curating the program using her past experiences. “Knowing what works and what doesn’t” has helped Mochan understand what Blue Peak needs.
She said, “It’s been amazing to get to reflect on all of the experiences I’ve had up to this point and use them to make something better.”
The program started with the graduate program at the Mount. “Our graduate director recognized the need in the area,” Mochan stated.
With use from both an academic standpoint and a community standpoint it was clear that the center would be an asset to many in the area. One of the academic goals of the program is to get undergraduate students from the Mount internships that will give them direct experience in the ABA field. There are currently six undergraduate interns working for the program.
James Blackmore (C’25) and Paige Barnard (C’25) are two of the interns currently working with the program. Blackmore is a neuroscience major hoping to gain real-life experience for his future career in clinical psychology. “Being able to have actual hands-on experience working with students, especially those with autism is super beneficial,” the senior stated.
Benard said that she is now considering working in the ABA field because of this internship. She is a human services major. She said that getting her training and certification through this internship will help her prepare for her future career.
Both undergrads made it clear how excited they are to see the start of this program and to see the outcome of all the work they have put in.
When looking for the undergraduate interns, the scope of the program has narrowed. The program is mainly looking for Psychology and Human Service majors and people who would benefit personally from this opportunity, whether academically or career wise.
The program has implemented a prerequisite class for the internship, that interested students must pass before being considered for the position. “Even if you don’t want to be in this field in the future, this would give you a lot of good experience.”
Benard stated about the internship. Everyone working at Blue Peak is eager for their beginning. Mochan stated that they “are just so excited to get people in here.”
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