Executive Board of Directors

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Debra Ann Afarian (DA) is CPS Certified using Collaborative Problem Solving®(CPS), since 2003. She founded HBCC in 2013 after learning and sharing the approach through her Parent Support Group of the same name. She has certifications in both ADHD and CPS and what contributes to challenging behaviors. She was the Greater Orange County CHADD Coordinator from 2005 to 2020, passing the baton to her co-coordinator in order to give full-time dedication to HBCC.

The CPS approach is defined in the books:

• Changeable - Stuart Ablon, PhD
• The School Discipline Fix - Stuart Ablon, PhD
• Treating Explosive Kids - Ablon, PhD & Greene, PhD
• The Explosive Child - Ross Greene, PhD

CPS was originally written about in 1998 in the book, The Explosive Child, where it is now called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions(CPS/LITB).  

Collaborative Problem Solving(CPS/TK) is owned and developed by Think:Kids, a Program in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH) https://thinkkids.org/ in Boston. Those certified in CPS work independently of MGH and are under the direction and supervision of Dr. Stuart Ablon.

As the founder of the non-profit Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child (HBCC), DA has made it her mission to make sure that adult/child power struggles are understood in a whole new way, to break the cycle of misunderstanding challenging, concerning and difficult-to-manage behaviors.

Married since 1989, DA is the parent of two sons, born February 1994 & November 1995.  

Being that challenging child herself, DA has first-hand experience of how challenging behaviors are treated by most adults. She had a difficult childhood being treated like a wild mustang that wouldn't comply or cooperate and needed to be broken. She felt misunderstood and like she never got the memo on "how" to behave, and instead was punished brutally and consistently for years for behaviors that she now knows were "lagging skills." DA believes that ALL children should get the equity they deserve!  

DA, with the support of her husband, knew that this was the passion she wanted to pursue, to be a change maker in how adults view challenging behavior like she exhibited as a child and young adult. After extensive trainings and personal successes, they founded HBCC together so she could share her experience, strength and hope with other parents. Helping many others work towards breaking that cycle of misunderstanding and mishandling challenging behaviors has been truly rewarding for both of them.

At first, DA took her journey in faith because neuroscience had little data back in 2002. She leaned into knowing that SHE was not just a bad kid, behaving badly in childhood -- she was trying harder than ever to "behave" and kept getting punished for not meeting expectations -- today there is data, evidence and neuroscience that backs up what she felt as a kid --- that there was much more going on and she struggled with executive function, flexibility, problem solving, communicating her thoughts and biggest of all, emotional regulation SKILLS.

DA's lived life experiences give her unique insight into behaviorally challenging children. She shares her story in the hope that, if you are also misunderstood or have a misunderstood child, you will know you are not alone. Finding your community can be helpful and give you a sense of belonging to maximize your family’s potential to meet the demands of life, school and work.

A special message from Debra Ann (DA): 

“If sticker charts, rewards & punishments are not helping with low-frustration tolerance, flexibility, impulsivity, risk-taking behaviors and problem solving, you will want to explore this website more and take an HBCC class, join the Wednesday support group or attend a workshop! Collaborative Problem Solving helps ALL children, especially those frequent-flyers who are put on time-outs, don’t respond well to consequences, have a hard time earning rewards, seem unaffected by punishments, are frequently sent out of class, get detentions, suspensions, expulsions, restrictions, restraints, seclusion, self-medicate or are at-risk for out-of-home placement. The neurodiverse population NEEDS this approach, the neurotypical population appreciates this approach." 

Stop chasing compliance and start building skills!"

Learn how to Regulate & Relate to then Reason.

~Bruce Perry, PhD

Outside of HBCC, DA enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, bike riding, off-roading, the mountains, camping, the ocean, boating, dancing & music, time with her dog, continued learning, friends, and mostly time with her family and faith.  

Dr. Jolee Hibbard is a licensed clinical psychologist, an HBCC volunteer support group facilitator, and board member serving as secretary. She also volunteers with NAMI and is the mother of two teens.  She first learned of the Collaborative Problem Solving model over 10 years ago when she attended a parent training class. Due to the positive effects Dr. Hibbard saw in her own family, she began using this model with families in her psychology practice. Dr. Hibbard has a master's in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and a Doctor of Psychology degree from Azusa Pacific University.  

During her practicum training experience, she worked at UCI Medical Center, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Program conducting assessments and Pacific Clinic's Youth Intensive Outpatient program running groups for adolescents and parents. In her predoctoral training she worked at Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles with rotations in autism assessment and neuropsych assessment.

In her private practice, Dr. Hibbard works with adolescents, adults, and families utilizing assessment and evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, family systems, and acceptance and commitment therapies, to assist clients in improving their lives.

Collaborative Problem Solving continues to provide positive results in all parts of her personal & work life.

 Raffy Afarian is a Product Development Engineer with over 37 years' experience at Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from California State University at Los Angeles. Thirteen years later he went back to school and earned his Master's In Business Administration degree from California State University at Fullerton. These qualifications, along with his passion for a better world for ALL children, have motivated Raffy to create HBCC along with his wife, Debra Ann (DA), and support it 100% with his time and efforts.
When they wrote the phrase “opposites attract,” they had Raffy and DA in mind!  That is the very foundation of their marriage.  DA comes from a military influenced, working class, 5th generation, Irish American family.  Raffy comes from a 1st generation Armenian immigrant family rich with Middle Eastern traditions where food fixes everything, every child must be multilingual and grows up to be a doctor, entrepreneur, lawyer or an engineer!
Having two boys, one in 1994 and another in 1995, were the home runs Raffy had always dreamed of. Providing for his family is the one and only goal of his life! When Raffy and DA realized that they needed to learn about what it means to be twice exceptional (2e) and/or neurodiverse, they decided to dive in headfirst and learn all they could to make a life where ALL could maximize their potential.  
The natural progression of the learning process compelled them to put their heads together and come up with a plan to help others navigate the treacherous journeys that all families experience in understanding what it means to be neurodiverse or twice exceptional. Raffy made a bold statement to DA saying, “You go make the difference and I will make the living!” 
In 2009 the vision for helping other families began with the thought of helping themselves and meeting a few other families to share their experiences with. Little did they know it would grow into what it is today! They have come to find out that there are over 12 million kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in North America alone – many still being treated in ways that are inhumane and ineffective. A heart-breaking number of kids are losing their futures simply because their challenges are poorly understood. This view motivated Raffy to do everything he could to support his wife in launching HBCC. 
Raffy also enjoys soccer, golf, football, hiking, biking, swimming, reading, family, friends, camping, boating, off-roading, his faith and cooking. He has not met a kitchen appliance that he does not like!