Meet Our Staff
We are a team of highly skilled professionals who are intensely invested in the growth of your child and ultimately, your family. We are Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Assistant Analysts, and Registered Behavior Technicians, many of whom have extensive background in the education system. Together we have years of experience working in various areas of education and with an immensely varying range of skill sets, challenging behaviors, and developmental disabilities. We are driven by continuous learning and the joy we feel from contributing to your child’s success.
Ms. Herrick focuses on the family as a unit and the development of meaningful social skills. ABA based in practice, Rachel does not subscribe to a ‘one-way-fits-all’ method and uses a variety of intervention approaches that have proven to elicit positive results including:
Rachel applies knowledge of effective leadership skills in the field of developmental disabilities and understands the challenges faced by these individuals across the lifespan.
She specializes in early intervention and family-centered therapy and is a multifaceted professional; believing strongly in the power of Errorless Learning while incorporating the educational environment, community participation, and family dynamic in all services provided. As a former teacher, she possesses the skill-set to bridge the gap between school and intervention and is uniquely qualified to offer IEP consultation and advocacy support.
Rachel’s educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada. She completed an education degree from D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York and became a certified New York and Florida teacher. During her first year teaching in an intensive placement classroom she obtained an Autism Endorsement from St. Petersburg College and was nominated for Teacher of the Year. She went on to earn a Masters of Science in Developmental Disabilities and Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Rachel is currently a PhD candidate in Psychology and Behavior Analysis with research interests in Peer Mediated-Pivotal Response Training. With more than 10 years of experience Rachel has worked with children with a range of needs including those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Genetic Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD, ADD), Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness), Depression, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.
Rachel is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA). She attends national and international conferences annually and is a supervising analyst for students working to become BCBA’s.
Jordan earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida. During her undergraduate years, she also received a minor in Educational Studies and specialized in Positive Psychology while volunteering for organizations such as Young Athletes, Special Olympics, and Best Buddies. It was during this time volunteering that Jordan’s passion for the neurodiversity movement began to blossom. After completing her undergraduate studies, Jordan moved back to South Florida and began working as a Registered Behavior Technician for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Over the years, she gained experience providing therapy in various settings such as home, school, centers, and community-based locations. Jordan has supported students with various needs including cognitive deficits, developmental delays, severe aggression, self-injurious behaviors, attention deficits, use of alternative communication, and other behavioral needs related to ASD and diagnoses within the neurodiversity spectrum. Jordan also has experience working with children with comorbid diagnosis’ and genetic disorders. She has collaborated with a diverse range of families and practitioners and is passionate about designing and implementing the most effective interventions to support client progress across providers.
Jordan pursued a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Ball State University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. As an integral part of the Jumpstart Interventions family, she is driven by her love for helping children connect with their families, friends, and communities and takes pride in providing the best quality care throughout the entire process.
Andrea received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. During her undergraduate studies, Andrea volunteered for the Academy of Community Inclusion program assisting young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participate in college activities and educate them on independent living skills. Andrea also worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for JumpStart Interventions while completing her undergraduate degree. Upon graduating, Andrea became a certified teacher in Florida and held various roles throughout the school district including teaching in an intensive classroom setting and becoming an Exceptional Student Education Specialist. Andrea has experience working with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder. Andrea also has experience guiding families through the complex processes of the special education system and connecting families with community resources.
While working in the school system, Andrea saw the importance of individualized interventions and the need for services that included the child’s family. This is when Andrea decided to further her education in the field of developmental disabilities. Andrea earned a Masters of Science degree in Developmental Disabilities and Advocacy from Nova Southeastern University and re-joined the JumpStart Interventions team as a Registered Behavior Technician and Student Analyst. Andrea is currently taking graduate level courses at Florida Institute of Technology to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Andrea is dedicated to expanding her knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis and is passionate about supporting clients connect with their peers, family and community in a way that is meaningful, significant, and compassionate.
Ruth Sterling received her bachelor’s in psychology from Florida Atlantic University in 2015 and then chose to pursue further education in nursing. During the course of her studies, she worked at a mental health facility, taught as a substitute teacher, and was a youth care specialist at a shelter where she helped adolescents avoid the juvenile justice system through interventions such as counseling, family support, and behavioral management. Ruth also volunteered at her local church in both the outreach department and the children’s ministry. In the outreach department, Ruth helped provide food, faith initiatives, and assistance to the residents in her community. While teaching as a Sunday school teacher in the children’s ministry, Ruth had the pleasure of working with two students who were diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Her love for their unique personalities propelled her to her current work as an RBT and senior student analyst with JumpStart Interventions.
Although Ruth’s former professions helped shape her as an individual, when she came across the field of ABA, she grew a desire to continue working with children of different ability levels. Ruth has considerable experience working with children who benefit from different learning styles; she specializes in assisting children and their families in ABA-based home-education programs using visual supports, differentiated teaching, and scaffolded concepts. She exudes a love of teaching concepts from many perspectives and is relentless in her pursuit to ensure children feel confident in their abilities to learn. Ruth is currently pursuing her certification as a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst and has her next goal set on obtaining a Master’s in Applied Behavioral Analysis to become a future Board Certified Behavior Analyst.