M10 Project

Sample Supervision Contract for

BCBA/BCaBA Trainees

The following sample supervision contract serves as an example of the contractual obligations involved in a relationship between a supervisor and a trainee (i.e., an individual accruing supervised fieldwork in applied behavior analysis toward the eligibility requirements for either BCBA or BCaBA certification). The sample supervision contract is provided for general reference and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The BACB does not warrant or guarantee the legal enforceability of any provision in the sample supervision contract. Contracts should be individualized and drafted by those familiar with local and state laws and requirements.

The provisions in this sample supervision contract are not comprehensive. We have identified key clauses as they relate to BACB requirements; however, each party may wish to consult with legal counsel to discuss the following contract elements:

· storage of and rights to client documentation,

· release and indemnification,

· mediation and arbitration,

· consequences for failure to pay/reimburse supervisor,

· legal remedies,

· injunctive relief,

· cost and attorney’s fees,

· contract modifications,

· severability,

· waivers,

· governing law,

· contacts for receipt of notice,

· whether any additional releases are required if the fieldwork is offered through a

university,

· a statement about whether the supervision contract is supplemented with a syllabus (as opposed to replacing a syllabus) if the supervised fieldwork is offered through a university, and

· expectations for the trainee and supervisor if the trainee is an RBT or BCaBA and the supervisor is providing their ongoing supervision.

In addition, each party should address the comments embedded in the sample supervision contract with legal counsel to ensure that the contract is individualized for each unique situation.

If the supervisor is not affiliated with the trainee’s supervised fieldwork setting, as may be the case with an independently contracted supervisor or a university faculty member, it is strongly recommended that the supervisor and trainee meet with relevant personnel (e.g., program director, on-site clinical supervisor) at the trainee’s supervised fieldwork setting to (a) ensure that all provisions in the contract can be faithfully executed in the setting; (b) familiarize the off-site supervisor with setting-specific rules, regulations, and practices; (c) ensure that any required documentation is reviewed and completed (e.g., releases or exchanges of information, confidentiality agreements, consents); and (d) identify if and how the off-site supervisor’s recommendations will be incorporated into the setting. Finally, trainees who are receiving supervision from an employer should meet to discuss potentially challenging dual relationship (i.e., employer and supervised fieldwork supervisor) issues that may arise.

Sample Supervision Contract

This supervision agreement is made on _______ (date) between _________________ (supervisor name and certification number) and _________________ (trainee name) for supervision of activities under the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements. Comment by Author: If this is a contract for multiple supervisors at one organization, the Responsible Supervisor should appear here, and all other supervisors should be listed below.

Supervised Fieldwork Activities and Training Objectives:

During the supervised fieldwork, the trainee will engage in the following types of activities: ___ Comment by Author: You should include individualized, client-specific activities that meet the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements.

By the conclusion of the agreed contract, the trainee will have achieved the following objectives: ___ Comment by Author: You should include individualized training objectives for the supervised fieldwork.

Trainee agrees to do the following:

· Provide a completed Fieldwork Checklist and Tip Sheet to the supervisor before the outset of the supervised fieldwork.

· Begin supervised fieldwork only after starting qualifying coursework.

· Compensate the supervisor at an hourly rate of $___. Payment will be made immediately at the conclusion of each supervision session or by a mutual agreement arranged at the outset of the supervisory relationship. Comment by Author: You should only include this provision for a fee-for-service supervisory relationship.

· Attend additional professional meetings relevant to the supervised fieldwork, such as ___, which may not count toward the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements. Comment by Author: You may edit this to reflect the meetings that will not be counted toward supervised fieldwork, such as school meetings, case conferences, and parent meetings.

Supervisor(s) agree to do the following:

· Meet and maintain the BACB’s supervision qualification requirements as stated in the current ___ (BCBA, BCaBA) Handbook and provide proof of eligibility to the trainee before the outset of the supervised fieldwork. Comment by Author: If this is a contract for multiple supervisors at one organization, you should add an attestation indicating that the Responsible Supervisor will ensure that the activity is well organized and coordinated. You may also consider adding an attestation indicating that all supervisors will work together to ensure that the trainee’s supervised fieldwork meets the requirements. Comment by Author: If the supervisor is within their first year of BCBA certification, you should add an attestation indicating that the supervisor agrees to meet the consulting supervisor requirements.

· Not accept remuneration from the trainee above the negotiated hourly rate or salary identified above. Comment by Author: You should only include this provision for a fee-for-service supervisory relationship.

· Provide oversight and training in accordance with the BACB’s supervision requirements (e.g., nature of supervision, responsibilities of the supervisor) and current ethics code (e.g., providing supervision to the trainee only within the boundaries of their competence, evaluating the effects of their supervision).

· Provide ongoing documented performance feedback to the trainee in accordance with the current ethics code, including, but not limited to, providing feedback on the trainee’s progress toward stated training objectives (e.g., providing specific areas in which the trainee is making adequate or inadequate progress) and client interactions.

· Sign the Monthly and Final Fieldwork Verification Forms if the supervised fieldwork hours are satisfactorily completed.

· Withhold signature on the Monthly and Final Fieldwork Verification Forms only in the following situations: ___

Trainee and Supervisor(s) agree to do the following:

· Meet all of the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements (e.g., requirements for documentation, acceptable activities, structure of supervision) for the duration of the supervised fieldwork.

· Stay up to date on changes made to the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements.

· Comply with all applicable laws, licensure requirements, codes of conduct/ethics, reporting requirements (e.g., mandated reporting, reporting to funding sources or licensure board, self-reporting to the BACB, reporting instances of misrepresentation by others), and professional practice requirements related to their various roles.

· Keep all information related to current or potential clients, including, but not limited to, medical or clinical information, confidential.

· Ensure that clients consent to the observation of service delivery and the sharing of confidential client information.

· Work together to facilitate in-depth discussions about and an understanding of professional and personal issues affecting practice to improve the trainee’s behavior-analytic expertise and ensure that progress is being made toward the identified training objectives.

· Work collaboratively to evaluate the effects of the supervision (e.g., review and respond to trainee progress and feedback) and address any identified issues.

· Protect the time and space for supervision by keeping to agreed-upon appointments and times allotted. Privacy will be respected and interruptions avoided. Any party requiring a variance in schedule will notify the other party as early as possible if rescheduling of supervision is needed.

· Terminate the supervisory relationship only in the following situations: Comment by Author: You should modify this section to specify the conditions under which supervision would be terminated by the supervisor or trainee.

· Supervised fieldwork hours are completed satisfactorily.

· Progress is not made after ___ instances of corrective feedback.

· Egregious violations of the ethics code occur .

· Retain a copy of all supervision documentation for at least seven years from the date of the final supervision meeting.

Termination:

This agreement shall become effective on ___ (date) and shall remain in effect until either party terminates this agreement by providing ___ day’s advance written notice to the other of the intention to terminate. In the event of termination, clause ___ shall survive and remain valid. Comment by Author: You should reference the conditions for termination.

Miscellaneous Provisions : Comment by Author: You may include additional considerations as identified by legal counsel.

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            Entire Agreement: This contract contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any changes to this contract should be reflected in a Contract Addendum section attached to the end of this document and signed and dated by all parties or should result in a termination of this contract and the initiation of a new, revised contract.	Comment by Author: You may include a Contract Updates section for any revisions that take place during the supervised fieldwork.
        

        
        
All parties agree to the stipulations herein:

        


        
Trainee Name: ____________________________________   

        


        
Trainee Signature: ____________________________________   Date: ___________________

        


        
Supervisor Name: ____________________________________   Certification #: ____________	Comment by Author: You may add lines as needed for additional supervisors.

        


        
Supervisor Signature: ____________________________________   Date: _________________

        


        


        
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Sample Supervision Contract for

BCBA/BCaBA Trainees

The following sample supervision contract serves as an example of the contractual obligations involved in a relationship between a supervisor and a trainee (i.e., an individual accruing supervised fieldwork in applied behavior analysis toward the eligibility requirements for either BCBA or BCaBA certification). The sample supervision contract is provided for general reference and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The BACB does not warrant or guarantee the legal enforceability of any provision in the sample supervision contract. Contracts should be individualized and drafted by those familiar with local and state laws and requirements.

The provisions in this sample supervision contract are not comprehensive. We have identified key clauses as they relate to BACB requirements; however, each party may wish to consult with legal counsel to discuss the following contract elements:

· storage of and rights to client documentation,

· release and indemnification,

· mediation and arbitration,

· consequences for failure to pay/reimburse supervisor,

· legal remedies,

· injunctive relief,

· cost and attorney’s fees,

· contract modifications,

· severability,

· waivers,

· governing law,

· contacts for receipt of notice,

· whether any additional releases are required if the fieldwork is offered through a

university,

· a statement about whether the supervision contract is supplemented with a syllabus (as opposed to replacing a syllabus) if the supervised fieldwork is offered through a university, and

· expectations for the trainee and supervisor if the trainee is an RBT or BCaBA and the supervisor is providing their ongoing supervision.

In addition, each party should address the comments embedded in the sample supervision contract with legal counsel to ensure that the contract is individualized for each unique situation.

If the supervisor is not affiliated with the trainee’s supervised fieldwork setting, as may be the case with an independently contracted supervisor or a university faculty member, it is strongly recommended that the supervisor and trainee meet with relevant personnel (e.g., program director, on-site clinical supervisor) at the trainee’s supervised fieldwork setting to (a) ensure that all provisions in the contract can be faithfully executed in the setting; (b) familiarize the off-site supervisor with setting-specific rules, regulations, and practices; (c) ensure that any required documentation is reviewed and completed (e.g., releases or exchanges of information, confidentiality agreements, consents); and (d) identify if and how the off-site supervisor’s recommendations will be incorporated into the setting. Finally, trainees who are receiving supervision from an employer should meet to discuss potentially challenging dual relationship (i.e., employer and supervised fieldwork supervisor) issues that may arise.

Sample Supervision Contract

This supervision agreement is made on _______ (date) between _________________ (supervisor name and certification number) and _________________ (trainee name) for supervision of activities under the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements. Comment by Author: If this is a contract for multiple supervisors at one organization, the Responsible Supervisor should appear here, and all other supervisors should be listed below.

Supervised Fieldwork Activities and Training Objectives:

During the supervised fieldwork, the trainee will engage in the following types of activities: ___ Comment by Author: You should include individualized, client-specific activities that meet the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements.

By the conclusion of the agreed contract, the trainee will have achieved the following objectives: ___ Comment by Author: You should include individualized training objectives for the supervised fieldwork.

Trainee agrees to do the following:

· Provide a completed Fieldwork Checklist and Tip Sheet to the supervisor before the outset of the supervised fieldwork.

· Begin supervised fieldwork only after starting qualifying coursework.

· Compensate the supervisor at an hourly rate of $___. Payment will be made immediately at the conclusion of each supervision session or by a mutual agreement arranged at the outset of the supervisory relationship. Comment by Author: You should only include this provision for a fee-for-service supervisory relationship.

· Attend additional professional meetings relevant to the supervised fieldwork, such as ___, which may not count toward the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements. Comment by Author: You may edit this to reflect the meetings that will not be counted toward supervised fieldwork, such as school meetings, case conferences, and parent meetings.

Supervisor(s) agree to do the following:

· Meet and maintain the BACB’s supervision qualification requirements as stated in the current ___ (BCBA, BCaBA) Handbook and provide proof of eligibility to the trainee before the outset of the supervised fieldwork. Comment by Author: If this is a contract for multiple supervisors at one organization, you should add an attestation indicating that the Responsible Supervisor will ensure that the activity is well organized and coordinated. You may also consider adding an attestation indicating that all supervisors will work together to ensure that the trainee’s supervised fieldwork meets the requirements. Comment by Author: If the supervisor is within their first year of BCBA certification, you should add an attestation indicating that the supervisor agrees to meet the consulting supervisor requirements.

· Not accept remuneration from the trainee above the negotiated hourly rate or salary identified above. Comment by Author: You should only include this provision for a fee-for-service supervisory relationship.

· Provide oversight and training in accordance with the BACB’s supervision requirements (e.g., nature of supervision, responsibilities of the supervisor) and current ethics code (e.g., providing supervision to the trainee only within the boundaries of their competence, evaluating the effects of their supervision).

· Provide ongoing documented performance feedback to the trainee in accordance with the current ethics code, including, but not limited to, providing feedback on the trainee’s progress toward stated training objectives (e.g., providing specific areas in which the trainee is making adequate or inadequate progress) and client interactions.

· Sign the Monthly and Final Fieldwork Verification Forms if the supervised fieldwork hours are satisfactorily completed.

· Withhold signature on the Monthly and Final Fieldwork Verification Forms only in the following situations: ___

Trainee and Supervisor(s) agree to do the following:

· Meet all of the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements (e.g., requirements for documentation, acceptable activities, structure of supervision) for the duration of the supervised fieldwork.

· Stay up to date on changes made to the BACB’s supervised fieldwork requirements.

· Comply with all applicable laws, licensure requirements, codes of conduct/ethics, reporting requirements (e.g., mandated reporting, reporting to funding sources or licensure board, self-reporting to the BACB, reporting instances of misrepresentation by others), and professional practice requirements related to their various roles.

· Keep all information related to current or potential clients, including, but not limited to, medical or clinical information, confidential.

· Ensure that clients consent to the observation of service delivery and the sharing of confidential client information.

· Work together to facilitate in-depth discussions about and an understanding of professional and personal issues affecting practice to improve the trainee’s behavior-analytic expertise and ensure that progress is being made toward the identified training objectives.

· Work collaboratively to evaluate the effects of the supervision (e.g., review and respond to trainee progress and feedback) and address any identified issues.

· Protect the time and space for supervision by keeping to agreed-upon appointments and times allotted. Privacy will be respected and interruptions avoided. Any party requiring a variance in schedule will notify the other party as early as possible if rescheduling of supervision is needed.

· Terminate the supervisory relationship only in the following situations: Comment by Author: You should modify this section to specify the conditions under which supervision would be terminated by the supervisor or trainee.

· Supervised fieldwork hours are completed satisfactorily.

· Progress is not made after ___ instances of corrective feedback.

· Egregious violations of the ethics code occur .

· Retain a copy of all supervision documentation for at least seven years from the date of the final supervision meeting.

Termination:

This agreement shall become effective on ___ (date) and shall remain in effect until either party terminates this agreement by providing ___ day’s advance written notice to the other of the intention to terminate. In the event of termination, clause ___ shall survive and remain valid. Comment by Author: You should reference the conditions for termination.

Miscellaneous Provisions : Comment by Author: You may include additional considerations as identified by legal counsel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

        

            Entire Agreement: This contract contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any changes to this contract should be reflected in a Contract Addendum section attached to the end of this document and signed and dated by all parties or should result in a termination of this contract and the initiation of a new, revised contract.	Comment by Author: You may include a Contract Updates section for any revisions that take place during the supervised fieldwork.
        

        
        
All parties agree to the stipulations herein:

        


        
Trainee Name: ____________________________________   

        


        
Trainee Signature: ____________________________________   Date: ___________________

        


        
Supervisor Name: ____________________________________   Certification #: ____________	Comment by Author: You may add lines as needed for additional supervisors.

        


        
Supervisor Signature: ____________________________________   Date: _________________

        


        


        
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