Clinical Advisory Board

BlueSprig’s Clinical Advisory Board comprises a dedicated assembly of esteemed healthcare professionals. They play a pivotal role in offering invaluable guidance and counsel to the BlueSprig clinical team. Drawing from diverse and complementary backgrounds, these industry experts share a profound alignment with our mission of “Changing the World for Children.” Their collective wisdom actively contributes to the sculpting of the clinical program’s strategic vision.

Meet the board members

Dr. Jane Howard, Ph.D., BCBA
Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Candice Allen, M.D.
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician
Dr. Michael R. Cummings, M.D.
Medical Director of the University run APIC Program
Janell Van Cleve, M.S. Ed., CAS
Clinical Director of the University run APIC Program

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Dr. Jane Howard, Ph.D., BCBA

Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychologist

Jane Howard, Ph.D., BCBA, is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D®) and a licensed psychologist. She is the Co-Founder of Therapeutic Pathways and Senior Advisor to Blue Sprig Pediatrics and Trumpet Behavioral Health. Dr. Howard is the lead author of several widely cited outcome studies regarding treatment outcomes for individuals with autism. She serves on the Board of the Council of Autism Service Providers and is a member of the Advisory Board for the National Autism Law Center. In addition, Dr. Howard is the Past President of the Board of Directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Dr. Howard is also a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at California State University, Stanislaus, where she spent decades training graduate students in behavior analysis and clinical psychology. In that capacity, she published multiple research papers examining various intervention strategies to support independence in individuals with developmental delays. Dr. Howard also established several university-affiliated community programs to improve access to services for individuals with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments. These various roles reflect Dr. Howard’s long-standing commitment and passion for developing the clinical infrastructures needed to support access to high-quality care by those who need services.

Dr. Candice Allen, M.D.

Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician

Dr. Allen is a full time Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician who has more than a decade of experience serving children who have a variety of developmental and behavioral needs. Prior to starting her own practice, Created to Thrive, Dr. Allen worked as an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and served as the only Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician (DBP) at Texas Children’s Hospital in the Woodlands, TX.

Her extensive work in the field is highlighted by her numerous contributions to both academic literature and clinical practice. Dr. Allen has co-authored several research papers and presented her findings at prominent conferences, showcasing her commitment to advancing pediatric care. Her work includes exploring complex cases in pediatric development and examining the implications of new disease genes. In addition to her research, Dr. Allen has been actively involved in reviewing clinical practice guidelines and educating future generations of healthcare professionals. Her efforts reflect a deep passion for improving the lives of children and supporting their developmental journeys.

Dr. Michael R. Cummings, M.D.

Medical Director of the University run APIC Program

As one of the leading practitioners in the child and adolescent psychiatry space, Dr. Cummings has impacted many roles and institutions in his storied 17+ year career. In that time, he has developed a keen focus and dedication to those affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities, solving incredible challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. He is passionate about developing and integrating systems of care, especially for individuals who are at high risk of avoidable hospitalization or incarceration. Dr. Michael Cummings holds multiple esteemed roles in the mental health industry locally and across the state with institutions such as University at Buffalo, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), OLV Human Services, and NYSTART.

Janell Van Cleve, M.S. Ed., CAS

Clinical Director of the University run APIC Program

Janell Van Cleve is the Clinical Director of the University run APIC Program (Access to Psychiatry through Intermediate Care), where she supports the Medical Director in providing care to developmentally disabled individuals with a specialty in the autistic spectrum. Through APIC she has helped to create an innovative and unique model of mobile care to treat a vulnerable and highly overlooked population, and has provided direct clinical care to 1,600+ patients across New York State. She supports further impact in the industry through national consultation and training of mental health professionals, delivering clinical oversight to multiple staff and interns, and has helped acquire sustainable funding for APIC.