Cassie Mohr, M.A., BCBA
Senior Clinical Director
Cassie received her Bachelors degree in Psychology and Sociology from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. After undergrad, she began working with children and adults with a variety of mental health and developmental disabilities. She recalls, “I found the autism population to be what I was most drawn to, as I appreciate the unique qualities of each individual with autism.” Cassie then earned a Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from Ball State University. She enjoys working with all populations of the ASD community, especially within early intervention, pre-verbal, and severe challenging behaviors. Cassie notes, “I love working at JAC because of the dedication that JAC shows to clients and staff. I love seeing new staff develop their passion for the clients, and I love seeing the clients make progress toward their goals.”
Professional activities and associations:
- Member of the Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis
- Member of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
- Member of the Standard Celeration Society
Kara Batson, M.S., BCBA
Clinical Director
Kara began working as a Behavior Technician in Colorado Springs, CO after answering a “help wanted” advertisement to make meaningful change in the lives of children with ASD. Her travels and professional pursuits then led her to a clinical career in behavior analysis working with learners on the autism spectrum. Kara has earned a B.S. in Psychology and B.SW in Social Work from Colorado State University as well as an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from The Sage Colleges. Her clinical interests include implementation of Skills Based Training, Pretend Play and Language Assessment and Curriculum (PPLAC) and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) strategies. Kara’s specialty within Applied Behavior Analysis is early intervention and her professional goals include continuing to build a clinical repertoire that best serves her clients through the use of precision teaching protocols and measures. Her favorite quote is by Alexander Den Heijer, “When a flower doesn’t bloom you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”
Sabrina Cranford, M.Ed., BCBA
Director of Clinical Training
Sabrina began with our JumpStart team in 2013 as a Behavior Interventionist as she was finishing up her Bachelors in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of New Mexico. She originally wanted to be a speech-language pathologist and was looking for more experience working with children with developmental delays. She volunteered at a camp with children with ASD, then searched for a job within the field and found JumpStart. Finding her passion for serving individuals with ASD, she completed her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University in 2016. Sabrina notes, “Seeing progress with our learners is definitely the most rewarding aspect of this field. I also enjoy my time at JumpStart working with other really talented and motivated behavior analysts and behavior technicians that are constantly learning more and doing better than they did the day before.” In her spare time Sabrina enjoys buying and smelling candles, reading books, watching documentaries, and talking about behavior analysis with my friends.
Professional activities and associations:
- Member of the Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis
- Member of the Arkansas Association for Behavior Analysis
- Member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International
- Member of the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts
- Member of the Standard Celeration Society
Caitlin Mandia, M.A., BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
After earning her undergraduate degree from Bloomsburg University in Speech Language Pathology, Caitlin began providing ABA services to young children with autism in school and home-based settings. She reflects, “I was inspired by my clients and their families to pursue a career in Applied Behavior Analysis.” Caitlin continued on to earn her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Eastern University in Pennsylvania. She joined the JumpStart Autism Center team in March of 2017 and notes, “ I appreciate the daily opportunity to play an integral role in serving individuals with learning differences; helping our clients to reach their full potential is what I enjoy most!” One of Caitlin’s professional goals includes development in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, both aided and unaided systems.
Ceci Montoya, M.A., BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
Ceci earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado with an emphasis in Statistics. She notes, “I was looking for my first job out of college and I found JAC! I really wasn’t sure at first if I would like it but then I very quickly fell in LOVE!” After a few years of working as a Behavior Interventionist at JumpStart, Ceci earned her Master of Arts from the University of Colorado Denver with a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. She then earned her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential in February 2020. Ceci emphasizes, “I love that all of our kids are so different! There are so many misconceptions about this population and it’s incredible to be involved with their treatments and experience their progress firsthand.” In her spare time, she enjoys doing just about any outdoor activity and has hiked to 15,091 ft at the base of Mt. Salkantay in Peru as well as summited nine 14ers in Colorado.
Jayna Ryan, M.A., BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
Jayna was a preschool teacher for six years at inclusive preschools and was looking to transition to a field where she could better support the kids that needed additional support in school. She notes, “I love working with children and am inspired by them every day. I am grateful for finding the field of ABA, allowing me to combine my passion for helping children while using a therapy with such positive impact.” Jayna boasts a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University as well as a Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration as an Intervention Specialist with an Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Northern Colorado. Outside of JumpStart, Jayna loves traveling and has been to about thirty states and eight different countries.
Mackenzie Henningsen, M.A., BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
Mackenzie, originally from New Hampshire, moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to attend Colorado State University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Prevention and Intervention Sciences. Her intention was to become a child life specialist and provide therapy for children who were in the hospital long term. She then started working at a respite care provider for children with all developmental disabilities and loved working with that population. So upon graduation, she searched for jobs in the field and found JumpStart Autism Center in 2016. Since then Mackenzie has earned a Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration as an Intervention Specialist with an Emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Northern Colorado. Mackenzie notes, “I love working with the staff here at JAC and how collaboratively everyone here works together. I love seeing the huge progress that the kids who come here make and watching them grow to become more independent.” In her spare time she loves skiing, reading, and spending time in the mountains.
Nicole Corkery, M.Ed., BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
Since 2010, Nicole has been working with children in various capacities from residential placement centers providing behavior health services as a behavior technician, to daycares as a 2-year-old daycare teacher. In 2012, she discovered Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) while completing an internship and since then has implemented residential, home-based, and center-based services as well as used the principles of ABA to provide in-home support and parent training for families with neurodiverse children. Nicole graduated in 2014 from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis and a Minor in Criminal Justice. Nicole then went on to obtain a Master of Education Degree in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott University in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2019 she moved to Colorado on a whim and joined our JumpStart team. She reflects, “During my interview, I felt passionate about the work ethic and values at JumpStart and I knew it would help me become a fantastic BCBA. I admire that the supervisors and leadership are so hands-on and collaborative. They understand what the company and employees need to thrive in the work environment, and they work to balance employee satisfaction while providing outstanding care to all our clients and families. They treat everyone with the same respect that we show our clients and I think that balance is important to create a therapeutic environment for everyone”. Nicole has a passion for working with our youngest clients who have just received their diagnosis or are beginning ABA treatment for the first time and enjoys working on the foundational skills that will shape their learning in the future. Outside of JumpStart, she focuses on spending time with her daughter and their dog, Jessie, and exploring Colorado.
Ashley Burns, M.A., BCBA
Assistant Clinical Supervisor
Ashley began working in the behavioral health field in 2011 as a nanny for a boy on the spectrum and was initially trained in Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) and Joint Attention play. In 2012, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After graduation, Ashley worked as a treatment coordinator and research assistant at a UCLA lab performing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for elementary-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She then worked directly with the Koegels implementing PRT at the University of California, Santa Barbara before moving to Hawaii and becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). While in Hawaii, Ashley worked in the schools where she was exposed to working with a broad range of learners from 3-22 years old. Ashley moved to Denver and joined the JumpStart team in 2020 and has supported our learners in multiple positions since. In 2022, she earned her Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the University of Arizona and obtained her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. Ashley notes, ” I love that everyone at JumpStart loves the learners and cares about their success as much as I do – I think it’s rare to find a company that fosters such compassion and empathy. Our kids are so unique and wonderful and I love that JumpStart helps them become their most authentic, independent selves”. Outside of the center, Ashley likes to travel with her husband to different countries, try exotic foods, play board games, snuggle her pup, and is currently preparing to welcome her first child!
Ryan Harrison, M.S., RBT
Assistant Clinical Supervisor
Ryan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience as well as minors in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Denver. One of his undergraduate professors introduced him to ASD through a neuroscience course. “She was a great mentor of mine and was able to inspire me to work more within the ASD community,” Ryan reflects. He then joined the JumpStart team in 2016 and eventually found his passion in training staff to work with children with ASD using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other data driven methods. During his time at JumpStart he received Master of Science in Criminology at Regis University. Ryan notes, “I love being able to have fun with these amazing kids and to watch them learn and grow overtime. I also enjoy being able to teach and share ABA with new staff members and watch them become professional and knowledgeable Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs).” Outside of his time at JumpStart Ryan enjoys playing drop in hockey, skiing, listening to audio books and playing board games with friends.
Kelsia King, M.S., BCBA
Assistant Clinical Supervisor
Bio coming soon!
Bobby (Cain) Barnes, B.S., RBT
Senior Clinical Trainer
While obtaining his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a focus on research methods from the University of Tennessee, Cain volunteered with the Martin Enrichment Academy, serving children in income-based housing communities providing mentorship as well as social and academic assistance. He began working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2017 serving both children and adults across clinic, home, and community settings. Cain joined our JumpStart team in 2019 as a Behavior Technician after hearing about Precision Teaching from a colleague and wanting to learn more. He recalls, “JAC’s exceptional supervision, clinic-based model, and high-quality training sequence had me hooked”. As a Senior Clinical Trainer Cain notes, “I love the opportunity to train new staff to grow to become exceptional Behavior Technicians. The impact you can have by giving others the tools to teach is one of the most rewarding feelings ever”. In the future, Cain hopes to continue his education and obtain his Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification so that he can continue to serve his community in a larger capacity. Outside of JumpStart, Cain enjoys playing video games with his girlfriend, trying new local restaurants, and spending time outdoors in addition to being a fire performer and PADI certified rescue diver!