Abstract: The Global Autism Project (GAP), Kaizora Consultants in Nairobi, and the University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMB) have been working in partnership to build local capacity that provides quality services to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in Kenya.
Initially, efforts were made to build upon an ABA-driven organization, Kaizora Consultants, that delivered validated practices directly to individuals in Nairobi, the first of its kind in East Africa. After in-situ training at Kaizora, collaborations with UMB allowed delivery of BACB approved courses for the director. Supervision is being provided via skype, videos and face-to-face training by GAP. Recently, the GAP’s Skill Corp initiative is bringing experienced practitioners to Kaizora to enhance specific need areas such as training of the Kaizora staff.
This collaboration will result in the first BCBA who will be trained while working in Africa, and who maintains a long-term commitment and passion to continue doing so.
Through this panel we will share with the audience the lesson learned from the perspectives of the Kenyan director in Kaizora, the GAP, and the UMB training partner. We will share the cultural, financial and skill-based challenges within and between the countries, and what we have been able to accomplish so far. |