Developmental Disability Experts
Denise Kerth, M.A., BCBA
Denise Kerth is a behavior analyst in Bancrof's Consultation Department. She earned her master's degree in applied behavior analysis from Caldwell College and became a board certified behavior analyst in 2007. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in applied behavior analysis at Caldwell College.
Ms. Kerth has experience working with children and adolescents with autism and developmental disabilities since 2001. She has been with Bancroft since 2007.
Her research interests include functional analysis methodology, procedural integrity, and teaching adaptive skills. She also has expertise in teaching social and independent living skills.
Ann Marie Machion, MA
Ann Marie Machion has been a behavior analyst in the Community Services for Adults Program since 2009. She graduated from Argosy University with a master's degree in professional counseling (marriage and family concentration) in 2002. Ms. Machion has been working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders since 2000. In 2006, she received a certificate in applied behavior analysis from Penn State University.
Prior to her position at Bancroft, Ms. Machion provided services to children in schools, community and home settings. She also developed and supervised a summer therapeutic activities program for children with autism for four years. She has experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the areas of applied behavior analysis and discrete trial therapy.
Ann Marie's areas of interest include employment opportunities and supports for adults with disabilities and sensory integration activities. Ann Marie is currently studying for her BCBA exam.
Dennis Morgan
Mr. Morgan focuses on the quality of the education program and its resulting outcomes. He works to ensure that best practices are utilized throughout the curricula. He also oversees professional development for teachers and paraprofessionals to ensure they learn new, effective teaching strategies. And he develops and evaluates outcome measures to monitor results among students and maintain clinical excellence.
A highly effective educator, Mr. Morgan is a past recipient of the Ruth K. Newman Award for Educational Excellence for his work with students with developmental disabilities. He holds certifications in elementary education (K-8) and special education (K-12), and is a certified school principal (K-12), curriculum supervisor and supervisor of special education. He also holds a military security clearance certification. Prior to joining Bancroft, Mr. Morgan was principal for the Vanguard School in Valley Forge, Pa., and The Y.A.L.E. School in Cherry Hill, N.J.
Mr. Morgan is heavily involved with the New Jersey Special Olympics, serving as a coach and chaperone for winter and spring events. He coaches softball and floor hockey.
An active member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Mr. Morgan is a munitions systems specialist for the 111th Fighter Wing. He has supported numerous military endeavors including military operations. In addition, he was named the 2008 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and received a 2008 commendation medal from the Air Force.
Frances A. Perrin, Ph.D., BCBA
Dr. Perrin is the clinical director of Lindens and Haddonfield Campus Pediatric and Adolescent Residential Services. She graduated from Temple University with an M.S.Ed. in applied behavior analysis in 2002. She received her doctorate in 2009 in educational psychology from Temple University. Frances became a board certified behavior analyst in 2002 and is an adjunct faculty member at Rowan University.
Dr. Perrin has been working in the fields of developmental disabilities and applied behavior analysis since 1997. Prior to her current position, she spent seven years as a behavior analyst in the Lindens Program. She has been the chair of the Behavior Management Committee at Bancroft since 2005.
Dr. Perrin's primary research interests include functional assessment methodology and treatment development, and a number of translational research topics, including behavioral economics and preference assessments. She has presented her research and clinical work at numerous local and national conferences.
Bianca Pizzo, M.A., BCBA
Ms. Pizzo is a behavior analyst in the Lindens Neurobehavioral Stabilization Program. She earned her master's degree in applied behavior analysis at Penn State University in 2007 and became a board certified behavior analyst in 2009.
Ms. Pizzo has been serving individuals with developmental disabilities and their families since 2004. Prior to joining the Lindens clinical team as a behavior analyst in 2008, she worked with children with pediatric feeding disorders.
Ms. Pizzo's research interests include pediatric feeding disorders, self-injury, and self-restraint. She has presented her research at regional and international ABA conferences.
Rachel E. Sari, M.Ed., BCBA
Rachel Sari is the clinical director of the Pediatric and Adolescent Community Living Program. She earned her master's degree from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education in learning, cognition, and development and became a board certified behavior analyst in 2003.
Ms. Sari has been working with children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities since 1996 in many capacities. Previous roles include parent and staff trainer, program coordinator, and behavior analyst. She has been with Bancroft since 2008.
Ms. Sari's current areas of research interest include staff training on behavior intervention plans and accurate data collection methods.
Dawn Smith, M.A., BCBA
Dawn Smith is a nationally certified school psychologist and board certified behavior analyst. She received her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, her master’s degree from Temple University, and her education specialist degree from Rowan University. Ms. Smith has spent over 25 years working in the field of Developmental Disabilities with a specialization in the area of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her main area of interest is in helping students learn adaptive, functional, and educational skills as well as the reduction of problem behaviors. She was the previous Director of the Bancroft Elementary Autism Program and is currently serving as Acting Education Supervisor.
Ms. Smith has considerable experience in staff training and development as well as supervision and mentoring. She also has engaged in research activities including presentations at professional conferences and publications over many years.
Lauren F. Troy, M.A., BCBA
Lauren Troy is a behavior analyst with the Pediatric and Adolescent Campus Residential Program. She received her master's degree in applied behavior analysis from Penn State Harrisburg. She has been a board certified behavior analyst since 2003.
Ms.Troy has been working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities since 2000 in school, home, and community residential settings. She has served in a variety of leadership and clinical roles in her professional career. She has experience training parents and educators across the country on the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).
Ms. Troy's research interests include staff training, functional communication skills, and working with multidisciplinary teams to promote successful outcomes. She has presented her research at numerous regional and national conferences.