Julie Richards, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, and Karen Machay, MS, MEd, BCBA, LBA, NLC’s Directors and owners, have been a driving force in Las Vegas special education for a combined 30+ years. Their passion for an inclusive developmental education system led them to continue their education/training, earning Master of Education degrees and becoming Licensed Behavior Analysts/Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
As teachers, they saw a critical need for developing personal and vocational social skills outside of what the local educational system could offer. This need gave rise to Next Level Connections. They wanted to create a resource that would close the gap between the classroom and the real world.
Next Level Connections was born from Julie and Karen's recognition of a significant gap in social skills support within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) framework. Understanding the vital role social skills play in individuals' lives, they created a specialized platform to integrate ABA principles into programs addressing this need. Their vision and expertise established Next Level Connections as a trusted resource, empowering individuals to thrive socially through tailored support and meaningful connections.
