Ray Cepeda, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, is the Chief Clinical Officer of The Groden Network in Providence, Rhode Island, where he provides executive oversight of clinical operations across programs serving individuals with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and complex behavioral needs. In partnership with senior leadership, he leads strategic growth initiatives, clinical quality improvement efforts, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and the modernization of clinical systems and service delivery models.
With more than 30 years of experience in the field of autism and applied behavior analysis (ABA), Ray has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for individuals with autism and their families through evidence-based, individualized intervention. His extensive experience includes supervising intensive home-based behavioral programs, working in specialized ABA schools, consulting with public and private school programs, facilitating successful inclusion and mainstreaming initiatives, training parents and professionals, and presenting nationally on behavior analytic teaching methodologies, language development, and individualized program design for learners with autism.
Prior to joining The Groden Network in 2025, Ray was the Founder and Director of ABAskills, LLC, a behavioral consultation organization that he successfully led for 22 years and scaled to multiple sites across five states. Through ABAskills, he provided behavioral consultation, parent coaching, functional behavior assessment development, curriculum design, staff training, and expert testimony services to families, schools, and agencies serving children, adolescents, and adults with autism and developmental disabilities. He built and supervised multidisciplinary teams, developed clinical protocols and training systems, managed all aspects of business operations, and established long-standing partnerships with educational and community organizations across multiple states.
Ray has extensive expertise in clinical operations, organizational growth, workforce development, quality assurance, program evaluation, data system modernization, regulatory compliance, and evidence-based practice implementation. He has successfully modernized clinical documentation and service delivery systems, strengthened workforce capabilities through competency-based training and supervision models, and developed innovative programs that improve outcomes for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.
Ray holds a Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He also holds International Behavior Analyst Certification through the International Behavior Analyst Organization (IBAO) and is licensed as a Behavior Analyst in Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He is the author of Putting the Pieces Together: An ABA Program Manual and is the recipient of the Award of Distinction from Long Island Advocates in recognition of his dedication and service to the autism community.
Ray's current professional interests focus on advancing language and communication development for individuals with autism across the lifespan, while continuing to promote clinical excellence, innovative service delivery, and meaningful outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.