we develop aba
One voice in West Virginia dedicated to providing accurate and up-to-date information, empowering parents, supporting best practices, and making lasting changes in our state to enable West Virginians with autism to achieve their highest potential.
We Develop ABA (Workforce and Development for Applied Behavior Analysis) is a coalition of ABA providers across West Virginia working to develop ABA services across multiple settings and grow a well-trained ABA workforce to tackle some of West Virginia’s most pressing problems.
The initiative is spearheaded by Augusta Levy Learning Center, Mountaineer Autism Project and Bright Futures Learning Services.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded We Develop ABA $50,000 to do this important work. The Augusta Levy Learning Center provides administration oversight.
The coalition received $68,000 in private matching funds from the Augusta Levy Learning Center, Bright Futures Learning Services, Community Autism Resources and Education Systems, the Disabilities Opportunity Fund, and the Larch Foundation.
We Develop ABA measured our state’s current ABA workforce and access to ABA services, and developed a statewide strategic plan to increase the ABA workforce.
Building Momentum: Expanding West Virgina’s ABA and Behavioral Health Workforce
- A proven workforce model already underway — including WE Develop ABA and partnerships with West Virginia University, Marshall University, and Martinsburg College
- Defined career pathways that create stable, high-demand jobs across the ABA and broader behavioral health workforce
- Practical strategies to grow and retain in-state talent by better aligning education, employers, and workforce systems
- Support for small business growth by enabling local autism service providers to expand center-based, home-based, and school-based services to meet rising demand
- Clear opportunities to expand access to care by strengthening local provider networks across West Virginia
- Solutions to reduce reliance on costly out-of-state placements, advancing the Governor’s “Bring Them Home” priority
- Targeted recommendations to accelerate progress through coordinated education, workforce, and Medicaid policy
Report: Closing The Treatment Gap For West Virginia’s Autistic Children
With more than 10,000 young West Virginians facing autism’s developmental and neurological challenges, a new study by We Develop ABA shows how West Virginia’s autism treatment gap leaves the vast majority unable to access effective therapies.
The report’s findings include:
- West Virginia schools are experiencing a significant rise in their autistic student population.
- 96% of autistic young people in the state lack access to proven early intervention Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Despite increases in available care, 44 of West Virginia’s 55 counties still have no ABA services clinic, including 4 of the state’s 10 most populous counties.
- The study also finds strong opportunities for rewarding jobs in autism care that can boost economic development.
Policymakers and Organizations Who Have Offered Letters of Support for This Project
- Sen. Shelley Moore-Capito
- Rep. Carol Miller
- The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
- West Virginia Birth to Three
- West Virginia Autism Training Center
- Marshall University
- Concord University
- WVU Medicine Children’s
Newsletters
In The News
WVECTCR | Winter 2025
WV News Report | Apr 10, 2024
WTOV9 | Apr 10, 2024
Follow members of our coalition on social media
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out!
Email: Mapwvautism@gmail.com
Past Projects
Surveys
In 2023, we asked ABA Treatment Centers, Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBAs), family members, and non-BCBA human service professionals to provide feedback on the current state of ABA in West Virginia. The surveys aimed to tell us about the “state of the state” in behavioral intervention services.
The results of these surveys were used to inform our strategic plan for increasing access to behavioral services and workforce development to benefit all West Virginians.
Planning meeting
In March 2023, a kickoff “We Develop ABA” planning meeting brought together primary stakeholders from treatment centers and higher education across the state, as well as regional and national experts in the field, in an effort to discuss the current environment, opportunities, and challenges for creating an ABA ecosystem in West Virginia.
Town Hall and additional meetings
Following the surveys and planning meeting, we provided Town Hall meetings and additional stakeholders meetings throughout the spring and summer, with the goal of having a strategic plan for the implementation of “We Develop ABA” to submit to the Appalachian Regional Commission for possible funding.
Strategic Plan
A follow-up session was held on September 26, 2023, with many of the members from March and the following additional stakeholders: Department of Labor, Department of Higher Education, West Virginia Bureau of Behavior Health, WVU, Marshall University, and WV DHHR. During this session, the WE Develop ABA leadership reviewed the final Strategic Plan.