ELIZABETH STEFFENS-FRIEDLINE
Lakewood
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at YAI, driving strategic initiatives and ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple clinical settings. Expert in clinical supervision and quality assurance, fostering team collaboration and mentoring staff to enhance service delivery. Proven track record in optimizing network performance and implementing evidence-based practices for improved client outcomes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Deputy Director/Clinical Director
YAI
01.2023 - Current
- Provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for 9 Community Crisis (CCH) and Enhanced Behavior Support Homes across California.
- Direct supports include Psychiatrists, RN’s, Social Workers, BCBAs, and Clinical Supervisors.
- Ensure fidelity of clinical services which include ABA, Person-Centered driven, Trauma Informed-Care that are evidence-based while ensuring regulatory compliance for Title 22 and Title 17 and CCL.
- Collaborating directly with Residential Director, Assistant Regional Directors, Training Directors, Quality and Compliance/Ethnics Directors, IITS Director (Intensive Individualized Transition Services Director), HR Directors to align clinical excellence with operational efficiency and network expansion.
- Advise the Residential Director and the executive leadership team on all clinical matters related to services.
- Leads the development and executive of long-range clinical and operational strategies, plans, and growth initiatives.
- Leads companywide initiatives to optimize network performance, access and service delivery across cross-functional departments (i.e., IT, Finance, QCE etc.) across California and align with New York (Headquarters).
- Plan and execute New York Board Members visits to CA.
- Lead the development and implementation of quality assurance frameworks, clinical audits and safety risks.
- Direct Quarterly evaluations of the performance of the homes, people we support success and service quality.
- Monitors clinical benchmarks, monthly performance dashboards to ensure continuous improvement and accountability.
BCBA Director
YAI
04.2021 - 12.2022
- Working directly with the QBMP/BCBA’s and Clinical Supervisor’s under the supervision and direction of Regional Director of California.
- Provide clinical supervision to the QBMP’s and Clinical Supervisor’s and Regional BCBA Supports and will take the lead in completing their annual Performance Evaluations.
- Meet regularly for supervision with QBMPs, Psychologists and Clinical Supervisors.
- Interfacing with the Residential Administrators, Residential Director of their regions to ensure the clinical needs of the regions are being addressed.
- Attend and participate in the weekly/monthly clinical reviews and rounds.
- Provide training as necessary.
- Direct clinical supervision of QBMPs and Clinical Supervisors and the virtual platform systems assigned to their positions.
- Design the agenda for, and run, the weekly Clinical Supervision meeting.
- Oversee the clinical trainings for the DSP’s and RBT’s, RBT Leads, Administrators, Social Workers, Clinical Supervisors and QBMPs.
- Assume the responsibilities of the QBMPs in their absence.
- Active role in the interviewing and hiring process of any clinical position.
- Provide opportunities and encourage the professional development of the QBMP’s and Clinical Supervisors in their regions.
- Evaluate and assign caseloads to the QBMPs in their regions as necessary.
- Aid in the development of training programs for new and existing QBMPs.
- Ensure that the QBMPs have all of the clinical materials and information necessary to perform their job.
- In collaboration with the Residential Administrators and Directors, identify DSPs/RBTs within the department that who have the potential to be groomed and trained for a clinical position.
- Develop and oversee training programs and ensure mentorship for those DSPs working toward a clinical position or his/her RBT.
- Lead role in clinical consultations facilitate the development of proposals and presentations for the conferences pertaining to the population.
Managing Supervisor
Autism Interventions and Resources, Inc.
10.2006 - 03.2021
- Direct and supervise Los Angeles office 60+ ABA cases for children/adults with Autism and other development/intellectual disabilities of a 3 and/or 2 tiers.
- Mentor and oversee BCBAs, Associate Supervisors, Case Supervisors, Consultants and Behavior Interventionist (BI).
- Create and maintain ABA Curriculum.
- Conduct and review Functional Analysis and Behavior Assessments.
- Complete and review progress report writing.
- Administer Vineland-III, Brigance, and DP-4 etc.
- Implement interviews and trainings.
- Hire and train Associates Supervisors, Case Managers, Consultants, and BI’s.
- Complete probation/evaluation meetings.
- Provide BCBA supervision.
- Startup offices in LA, Inland, and Kern counties.
- Credential and maintain relationships with the following insurances, school districts and Regional Centers.
- Insurances: Cigna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield/Magellan, Molina, United Behavioral Health, Beacon, MHN, Medi-Cal (i.e., Blue Cross, First Care, MHN etc.) and Cal Optima.
- School Districts: LA, Santa Monica/Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Redondo, Torrance, Palos Verdes, Carson, Bellflower, Compton, Paramount, Downey, Norwalk/La Mirada, Lawndale, Fullerton, and Anaheim.
- Regional Centers: RCOC, Harbor, South Central and Westside.
- Promote outreach to doctors, and other referral services for LA, Orange, San Diego, Inland and Kern Counties.
Education
BCBA Coursework -
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne04.2012
Master of Arts - Human Behavior
National University
San Diego04.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University of Long Beach
Long Beach, CA12.2005
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- Regulatory compliance
- Clinical supervision
- Evidence-based practices
- Quality assurance
- Network performance management
- Team collaboration
- Mentor coaching
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Creative direction
Certification
- Certified Board Behavior Analysis, 1-13-13507, 05/01/13
- Group Home Administrator, 7029534730, 07/15/26
- Adult Residential Facility (ARF), 6064783735, 09/17/26
- Ukeru Trainer, 11/01/26
- CPI/APS Certificate, 12/01/26
- CPR/FA, 07/01/26
Memberships Volunteer
- Supporting Membership: CalABA
- Long Beach Court Advocate- Domestic Violence Victims
- CART- Volunteer as Child Advocate Response Team with For the Child in the Los Angeles area
- YAI’s Safety Committee
- LIFT Women
- YAI’s Monthly Incident Review Committee
- YAI’s Bi-Monthly Clinical Case Reviewal
- YAI’s Referral Review Committee
Accomplishments
Merit Award- 2025
Timeline
Regional Deputy Director/Clinical Director
YAI
01.2023 - Current
BCBA Director
YAI
04.2021 - 12.2022
Managing Supervisor
Autism Interventions and Resources, Inc.
10.2006 - 03.2021
BCBA Coursework -
Florida Institute of Technology
Master of Arts - Human Behavior
National University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University of Long Beach