Iowa added 1 behavioral health provider this week, contributing 0% to the national weekly total. This low number of new enrollments suggests a slower pace of workforce expansion compared to other states. Overall, Iowa has seen 20 new providers join its ranks this year, bringing the state's total to 36 providers, comprising 27 individuals and 9 organizations.
Credential Landscape
The credential mix in Iowa shows a notable absence of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), with 0 reported. In contrast, 8 providers are identified with the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) taxonomy. Of these RBTs, 2 also explicitly list RBT as their credential. The lack of BCBAs to supervise RBTs is a critical concern, as RBTs require supervision to practice, potentially limiting the capacity for ABA service delivery despite the presence of RBTs. Other credentials include 3 Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), 2 Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW), and 3 Licensed Independent Social Workers (LISW), alongside other specialized mental health and therapy professionals.
Workforce Demographics
The individual provider workforce in Iowa is predominantly female, with 21 female providers representing 78% of the individual cohort, compared to 6 male providers at 22%. Among organizations, MASON ASSOCIATES, LLC appears 2 times, indicating its presence in the state's behavioral health landscape. The top cities for these providers include West Des Moines, Coralville, Davenport, Ankeny, and Des Moines.
This data suggests Iowa faces significant challenges in developing its ABA workforce, particularly in establishing the supervisory infrastructure necessary for RBTs, which may impact access to quality ABA services in the state.
