Delaware added 21 behavioral health providers in the latest CMS NPI registry weekly update, representing 0% of the national total. This modest number of new registrations indicates a localized, rather than widespread, growth in the state's behavioral health workforce during this period.
ABA Workforce Dynamics
Within the applied behavior analysis (ABA) sector, the data shows 1 BCBA credential and 8 RBT credentials among the new registrants. No individuals held both BCBA and RBT credentials this week. The resulting ratio of 8 RBTs for every BCBA highlights a significant imbalance in the supervisory capacity essential for quality ABA service delivery. While direct service providers are entering the workforce, the critical supervisory infrastructure is not keeping pace, which could constrain the expansion of ABA services in the state.
Provider Demographics and Organizational Footprint
Of the 16 individual providers registered, 14 (88%) are female, 1 (6%) is male, and 1 (6%) identifies as nonbinary. This gender distribution is consistent with broader trends observed in the behavioral health workforce. Among the 5 organizations registered, no specific entity appeared multiple times in this week's data. Wilmington, Dover, and Felton were among the top cities for these new registrations.
This data suggests a slow but consistent increase in direct ABA service providers in Delaware, but underscores a critical need to bolster the BCBA supervisory ranks to ensure sustainable growth and access to high-quality ABA care.
