| Abstract: The Association for Behavior Analysis International established a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) for Culturo-Behavior Science (CBS) covering core concepts, procedures, and methodologies to analyze and intervene in system-level social problems. However, the experiential practicum component lacks defined competency criteria; not surprisingly, the handful of current CBS practica also lack clear markers. This panel considers Behavioral Community Psychology (BCP) as a workable framework for developing learning opportunities to demonstrate core competencies. BCP’s core values stress community-researcher collaboration and the development –including systematic evaluation– of sustainable, pragmatic, empirically supported interventions that are replicable and contribute to fundamental social change. Work in BCP suggests a way that competency criteria in the VCS BCS practica can be articulated rationally, inform instructional design of practica, and help evaluate how learners demonstrate competence in terms of applying CBS principles at the prevention level. Among the critical competencies are interpersonal skills necessary to conduct effective collaborative research, assessment, and systems intervention. We discuss how CBS concepts, measures, and procedures can be applied in the organization and evaluation of VCS practicum learning experiences and in the selection of practicum sites to create new opportunities to transfer behavior science to socially significant issues. The intended audience for this panel are students seeking the CBS VCS certificates, as well as faculty designing and evaluating experiential learning, and personnel in host sites that offer venues for practica. |