ABA Centers of Florida is proud to announce that its Chief Clinical Officer, Quatiba Davis, has been selected as a Champion of the Year candidate for the Palm Beach chapter of Best Buddies, the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The very first hire for ABA Centers of Florida, Ms. Davis’ exceptional abilities combined with her commitment to the mission of the organization gave her the advantage to grow within the company, role by role, ultimately achieving the Chief Clinical Officer title in 2023.
Ms. Davis has been embedded in behavioral health for 17 years, beginning her career in the space as a special education teacher in 2009. With a clear vision, inspiring leadership, and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by autism, Ms. Davis has proven to be an invaluable asset to the world of Applied Behavior Analysis and to the greater IDD community.
This campaign is deeply personal to me,” said Ms. Davis. “Every day, I have the privilege of leading a team dedicated to equipping individuals with autism with the confidence to embrace and amplify their extraordinary strengths, talents, and perspectives within our communities. Being named a Champion of the Year candidate empowers me to extend that mission beyond the clinic walls and to challenge systems, shift mindsets, and help build a world where inclusion isn’t simply encouraged, it’s expected and unwavering.”
The Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide. Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaign, advocating for the Best Buddies mission and generating countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support.
Ms. Davis was buddied with Jakob, 21-year-old chef with autism, to drive the organization’s mission of inclusion. Throughout her campaign, the pair connect with local businesses, community members, and supporters to inspire others to join this movement of friendship and acceptance. The two participated in an adaptive skate night at the worldclass training facilities of the Florida Panthers and swapped career shadow days – Jakob witnessed Ms. Davis’ work at ABA Centers of Florida at the organization’s Boca Raton center, while Ms. Davis visited Jakob’s restaurant of employment and observed how dedicated he was to providing top tier hospitality to his guests.
Locally, Best Buddies hosts nine programs for the IDD community. BESTBUDDIES® Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Colleges, Citizens Friendships, and e-Buddies encourage one-on-one friendship building, while BESTBUDDIES® Ambassador and Transition Programs are centered on leadership development and BESTBUDDIES® Jobs matches skilled and qualified individuals with IDD with businesses throughout Palm Beach County seeking enthusiastic and dedicated employees. The organization is in the process of expanding into Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties.
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