Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanne Clement
Hi Breanne , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I found the field of Applied Behavior Analysis when I was 18 years old. I began working at the home of an Autistic man who had recently moved into a community apartment after having spent most of his life at the Utah Developmental Center. He engaged in physically aggressive behavior that jeopardized his community placement. I learned that through applying the principles of applied behavior analysis and positive behavior support that all behavior has a function and that all behavior can be changed. I saw this man’s behavior improve and he ended up living safely in the community. This inspired me to complete my bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Throughout my education I was able to work in the public and private sectors as a behavior specialist. In 2010, I became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and also founded Apex Behavior Consulting which I still own today. I have been dedicated to improving access to behavior analysis services to those who need it most. In addition to providing services to people through the work at Apex Behavior Consulting, I have also been a founding and active member in the Utah Association for Behavior Analysis and the Coalition of Utah ABA Providers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a bumpy road for sure. When Apex Behavior Consulting started, applied behavior analysis was just starting to be recognized as a valuable service. We started out with a very small contract providing behavior supports under a waiver program and through Tricare (military insurance). Getting paid was hard. The people who needed our services most could not afford them. In 2014, Medicaid began providing the service under their benefits for children with Autism. That created a huge increase in client’s needing services. It was hard for us to meet all the needs. Several BCBAs who worked for Apex started their own companies, some ethically and some not so ethically. In 2016, the Utah Legislature mandated that insurance companies cover behavior analysis services for children diagnosed with Autism which increased demand even more. At that point we entered the world of insurance billing with a new service that few insurance companies understood how to administer. Getting paid was such a challenge. I have never had any investors so covering payroll was a labor of love that often resulted in me taking out personal loans to keep things afloat. Working with insurance continues to be one of the biggest challenges! I was educated in behavior analysis not business so I have definitely made some mistakes along the way. I’ve had some incredibly dedicated employees over the years who have really made it all possible and seeing people get services they so desperately need makes it all worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Apex Behavior Consulting, we provide behavior services to people of all ages in home and community settings. We do not have a clinic because we believe we can make the most impact on people’s lives by providing services in their own natural environments. Our mission is to “enhance the quality of life for people of all abilities”. This mission includes our clients, their families, our employees and our community at large. Many companies like ours have sold to private equity and have become corporatized. We are a small Utah owned company and because of this, we can provide quality services that are truly individualized. Our company is organized as a flat organization with teams rather than a hierarchical structure. This allows employees to have more input and buy in on how the company is run. This investment by employees positively impacts the services we provide. We have won Best of State 4 times. Three times for Education and Advocacy and one time for Internship program.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Having the opportunity to run a company that truly improves the quality of life for people on daily basis is very rewarding. I love the science of applied behavior analysis and how it can help people change their behavior. I love operating in a company that is not organized in the traditional hierarchy. I love being outside, moving my body, and experiencing different people and cultures. It is so fun to see the diversity and commonality in human experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.apexbehavior.com
- Instagram: @apexbehaviorconsulting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apexbehavior
