Dear APBS members, partners and friends,
When I last messaged you, I shared that we’ve been hard at work creating a reimagined APBS that serves you, invites you to learn in a smart, supportive community and helps us all offer the best positive behavior supports we possibly can.
Now, I’m including a sneak peek of our new offerings below! (I’ve also attached a great graphic that explains these new benefits.)
We’re introducing more educational content and resources – in new formats that work for you – in 2025. These include:
- Microcredentials. These educational opportunities are convenient, affordable short courses that empower you to learn and show off your new applied skills. For example, we’re hoping to offer courses in topics such as: classroom management; family and community partnerships; de-escalation; collaboration for professionals across roles; and justice and restorative practices.
When you complete an APBS microcredential, you’ll also earn a digital badge. This clickable badge – which you can share on social media, in your email signature and on your website – is a great way to share your accomplishments. Even better? When your colleagues, peers and employers click on the image, they’ll learn more about your microcredential, including the issuing institution, when you earned it and what you focused on.• Our new All-Access Webinar Subscription. This subscription includes on-demand, online opportunities to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Each subscription is valid for a full year, during which you can take as many CEUs as you want!
Bonus: through this subscription, you’ll also get access to educational resources that help you learn at your own pace.
Members like you now have more ways to get involved and get recognized.
- New committee membership opportunities. Committee members work closely with the APBS team on a number of initiatives, from sharing your expertise on positive behavior support to creating resources for other members and advocates working in our field. You can join committees focused on lifespan, continuing education and training, communications, research and international PBS. Sign up for committees here.
- New committee leadership roles. Showcase your expertise and become a future APBS leader! Leadership opportunities include officer, APBS board of director, committee chair and vice chair roles. We’ll share more about responsibilities and how to apply in the coming months.
- COMING UP: Signature interest groups (SIGs). Through SIGs, you can get to know other members in a small group setting. If you’ve ever asked – “How do I find other people who care about the same thing I do, so we can talk, share and problem solve together?” – then SIGs are perfect for you! Each SIG focuses on a specific interest area. We’re launching SIGs before the end of the year. Once we launch this great new offering, you’ll be able to visit your membership profile to view SIG opportunities, to join a SIG and to stay up to date about SIG meetings.
- COMING UP: Award program for changemakers. We’re launching our 40 Under 40 to Watch in Positive Behavior Support award program. Applications/nominations open in September!
We’re presenting a fresh, exciting new 2025 Annual Meeting!
Our new learning formats include:
- Live sessions: real-time, online sessions with a Q&A.
- Learn & Design Labs: structured, small group design sessions dedicated to one issue from the perspective of researchers and practitioners.\
- Birds-of-a-Feather: small group discussions addressing one issue.
- Workshops: audience-engaging deep dives.
We’re also launching our Innovation Zone at this Annual Meeting (space is limited).
Through the Innovation Zone, conference attendees like you can learn about innovations that are transforming our industry. You’ll walk along an interactive path, learning how tomorrow’s technology can enhance how we practice PBS. We’re highlighting resources focused on connectivity, too.
This Innovation Zone includes:
- Innovative solutions and practical insights showcases.
- Spotlights on PBS innovation at the local, regional, international and thematic levels (at schools, in homes and communities, and at the state level).
- Small, hands-on workshops.
- Meetings with hand-selected companies.
Stay connected with our refreshed APBS website and new member portal.
We launched the new member portal this summer, and are rolling out our new website this October!
We listened when you asked for more networking, learning and engagement offerings – and we are so excited as we introduce these new membership benefits.
All my best,
Cheretta
P.S. Know a colleague, peer, family member or friend who may be interested in our new membership offerings? Membership applications are open! Forward this message, including the graphic, to share these opportunities.