The mission of the POAC-NoVA Verbal Behavior Instructors Academy (PVBIA) is to increase the local availability of quality Applied Behavioral Analysis using Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behavior (ABA/VB) instruction by founding a school for ABA/VB therapists/instructors. An introduction to ABA/VB is available at http://www.poac-nova.org/base.cgim?template=aba_vb

In addition, the program's goals are to: (1) train new therapists in research-based methodologies; (2) teach parents and therapists best practices in organizing and running home programs; (3) help parents organize structured training programs for their therapists; and (4) serve as a model for other locally-based schools to train therapists in effective, research-based methodologies for teaching developmentally delayed children.

PVBIA, in addition to our Boot Camps and Advanced Practicums with area Universities, also offers a full set of training classes and includes supervised hands-on therapy with children in the homes of POAC-NoVA members.

POAC-NoVA is extremely grateful for the support of the community, our mentors and our volunteers who make this school a reality.

We would also like to thank the Fairfax County Public Libraries, the Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C., the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, the Autism Society of America - Northern Virginia Chapter, the Fairfax City Parks and Recreation, KOVAR, Safeway, Great American Restaurants and the Fairfax County Park Authority for sharing their resources.

Finally, thank you to the newspapers and reporters who have help spread our vision with the world:

Dec 11 2007 - The Washington Times: Autism Spurs Parents to Act - by Shelley Widhalm

Nov 28 2007 - The Connection: Program Aims To "Revolutionize" Autism Fairfax-based group offers autism training for parents and consultants - by Amber Healy

Jul 9 2009 - The Connection: Opening Up a Closed World Autistic children learn, play and make friends at GMU camp - by Bonnie Hobbs