Behavioral Skills Training to Increase Fidelity of Staff Searches at a Juvenile Residential Facility

Staff training is an essential component of effective behavior analytic interventions. This study examined behavioral skills training (BST) to teach staff in a juvenile residential facility to conduct appropriate room searches. The participants in the study were four staff members over the age of 18 years old who worked in the facility. All staff increased the fidelity of room searches after BST, however, room searches took less time when an observer was not present. A feedback component was implemented after behavioral skills training if the durations of room searches were shorter when the participant was unaware that they were being observed. Room search duration increased after feedback was delivered.