Rocco Nocera

Knowledgeable, analytical and socially capable leader with proven track record of successfully managing and growing business. Leveraged strategic planning and operational expertise to enhance productivity and drive profitability. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement innovative solutions. In-depth knowledge of single-subject experimental designs and accomplished presenter.

Clinical

-conducted several functional analyses of severe problem behavior that led to successful treatments

-established performance based training as the primary method for training direct care staff and families

-restored a tenuous relationship with a difficult-to-help family

-brought continuous measurement (time stream) data into the assessment process (this is valuable for understanding behavior in ways that lead to treatment nuances not available by non-continuous methods

-sought consultation from medical staff and ORR to devise intervention strategies

-developed and implemented assessment, plan and intervention protocol templates designed to improve the quality of information, meet statutory requirements and SME recommendations

-developed curricula to educate patients on the dangers of shoplifting and how to interact with people who wish to create unfavorable interactions that are portable and can be adapted to meet a variety of needs

-developed and implemented a systematic desensitization program to successfully treat oral needle phobia

-stabilized then improved the health of a patient who was repeatedly hospitalized before intervention

-A report in the Pathways 2021 Annual Report described my success in diagnosing, treating and discharging a patient for whom SIB and property destruction were eliminated. This man was diagnosed with selective mutism and in the course of the year, language programming induced hundreds of spoken works. He began having conversations with his mother on the phone, which was her ultimate goal.

-Successfully discharged a patient who no longer engages in physical aggression working with their PCP to discontinue PRN medications previously used to control behavior and recently convinced another PCP to remove a similar PRN for another. I have two others on my caseload who currently have PRN’s and seek to replicate outcomes with them.

Administrative

-established safety standards and informed consent for functional analysis

-coordinated PCM recertification during COVID

-created a self-audit process that discovers ongoing areas to improve chart compliance over successive audits

-reliably followed chain of command and ensured that my supervisor was included in conversations that affected department conduct

-Coordinated efforts with case managers to supply them details to assist them in fully meeting audit requirements affected by our joint work

-improved the reliability of data submission by families and group homes

-worked effectively with the NMU OBM team to pursue their objectives to simplify direct care duties and incorporate staff reinforcement into daily work culture

-created and shared a BPS document process map

-drafted re-opening policies and procedures to provide face-to-face services in local group homes

Leadership/Training

-successfully mentored five master’s-level interns that all passed the board certification exams and gained post-internship employment

-established a curriculum for training interns that incorporated their preferences for learning objectives and in clinical decision making

-Led an interdepartmental work team to train them and develop materials based on the Secrets of Modern Parenting curriculum

-conducted ongoing consultation within the SMP group

-effectively used a feedback model to understand what went well during internship preparation and to assess the extent to which preparation led to successfully passing the certification exam

-remained available for past intern consultation in efforts to help them continue to grow

-developed, implemented and revised process charts for tracking authorizations and chart item submission steps

-developed, implemented and revised train-the-trainer materials for performance-based training

-developed a 10-module intern preparedness series covering experimental design, ethics, methods for identifying barriers and writing proposals to investigate and solve learning barriers for clients on their caseloads

-created and run a Journal Club for the Behavior Psychology Services Department, issuing CEU’s through the BACB

Intangible

-effectively negotiated contentious conversations and workplace politics

-applied continuous self-awareness and humility in a manner that promoted my personal growth and that of coworkers

-developed and maintained positive relationships with W-2 and contract providers

-have been considerate of others’ opinions and worked as an integrated member of several interdisciplinary teams

-integrated cross disciplinary goals into behavior monitoring to assist contract providers with less patient contact to determine the extent of change regarding their objectives (dietary)

-consistently received positive feedback regarding work performance with only minor corrective statements from the department supervisor

-view challenges as learning opportunities that can strengthen my skills rather than as anxiety-evoking situations

-Scored 43/44 (98%) on my last performance review

• Licensed Behavior Analyst (MI) Lic# 7401000432 Exp. 2027-12-02
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst Cert# 1-07-3256 Exp. 2028-03-31

• The Upper Peninsula Association For Behavior Analysis, Former President & Founding Board Member, Marquette, MI, 2020-10, 2025-11
• Area 39 Special Olympics, Executive Committee Member & Coach, Houghton, MI, 2025-08, 2026-02

• Nocera, R. L. (2023). Practical considerations for field-implemented problem behavior functional analyses. A symposium presented at the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan, Annual Conference. Ypsilanti, MI.
• Daar, J., Nocera, R. L., & Rondeau, C.(2021). Maintaining high quality practices during a difficult year: A panel discussion. The Upper Peninsula Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. Marquette, MI.
• Nocera, R.L. (2021). Bridging the research to practice gap. A two-CEU presentation delivered to the Upper Peninsula Association for Behavior Analysis, Marquette, Mi.
• Nocera, R.L. (2017). Extended Restricted Access to Preferred Items as a Screening Tool for Problem Behavior Maintained by Positive Reinforcement. Presented to Florida Autism Centers, Inc. Port St. Lucie, Fl.
• Nocera, R.L. (2016). Maximizing Datafinch Catalyst. Presented to Positive Behavior Supports, Inc. West Palm Beach, Fl and Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
• Nocera, R. L. (2014). Many things stimulus control: Trainings for clinicians and technicians. Presented to the Indiana Applied Behavior Analysis Institute. Inc. Ft. Wayne, IN.
• Nocera, R.L. (2013). Identifying and utilizing student-led interactions to promote social skills learning. A poster session presented at the Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. Indianapolis, In.
• Green, N., Britton, L., Fischer, L., & Nocera, R.L. (2012). Assessing the change in skill performance and stereotypy using a parametric analysis of incompatible demands while fading in psychotropic medications. A poster session presented at the Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. Indianapolis, In.
• Nocera, R. L. (2012). The differences between physical guidance, restraint and the use of force. A training presented at the Indiana Applied Behavior Analysis Institute, Ft. Wayne, IN.
• Nocera, R.L. (2012). Measurement, standards and system calibration in behavior analysis. A tutorial presented at the Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. Indianapolis, In.
• Nocera, R. L. (2012). Stimulus preference assessment training with direct-service paraprofessionals using performance-based instruction. A poster session presented at the Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. Indianapolis, In.
• Brittain, J. & Nocera, R.L. (2011) Humanistic values and behaviors. A training presented at Hiawatha Behavioral Health, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
• Nocera, R. L. (2011) Conducting functional analyses. A training presented at Hiawatha Behavioral Health, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
• Nocera, R. L. (2010). HBH essential skills curriculum: An 8 unit program to teach direct-care workers and first line supervisors preventative, educative and reactive strategies for promoting adaptive behavior. A training presented at Hiawatha Behavioral Health, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
• Nocera, R. L (2008). Early detection of autism and related disorders. Parenting Plus Magazine. April 2008. Posie Thompson, Editor. Wellington, Fl.
• Nocera, R.L. & Fuqua, R.W. (2003). A survey of ethics and social responsibility educational practices across curricular domains at Western Michigan University. Presented at a meeting of The National Science Foundation. Unpublished master's project. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
• Nocera, R. L. (1999). Progressive ratio preference assessments yield greater shifts in response allocation than do their yoked fixed ratio counterparts. Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Chicago, Il.
• Mace, F. C., Borrero, J. C., Connell, J. E., Connelly, M., Delaney, B. A., McLaughlin-Cheng, E., Nocera, R. L., Progar, P. R., Ringdahl, J. E., Sierp, B. J., & Yoon, J. H. (1998). Progress in Learning: A review of Catania's 4th Edition. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31, 713-716.
• Nocera, R.L., Mace, F.C., & Vollmer, T.R. (1998). A comparison of multiple-schedule and reversal design functional analyses. Poster session presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Orlando, Fl.