Kate Johnson-Patagoc, along with Jeffery Dillen and Rany Thommen, contributed to the article The Road to Licensure of Behavior Analysts in Texas: History and Lessons Learned, where they explore the journey of licensure for behavior analysts in Texas.
In the article, Kate Johnson-Patagoc, who serves as the Director of Specialized Services, reflects on how the model for licensure can serve as a guide for other states to follow, emphasizing the importance of understanding and replicating the process. She described her experience as a significant milestone, particularly noting the years of awareness and education directed at legislators and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Through this effort, Johnson-Patagoc, Dillen, and Thommen were instrumental in helping pass a law that required Medicaid to fund Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. This law dramatically improved access to care for individuals with autism, as it expanded eligibility for ABA treatments beyond those with private insurance, ensuring that more people could receive medical support.
