Variables affecting applied behavior analysis service provision in Florida: A qualitative analysis

This qualitative study examined the individual, organizational, and systemic factors influencing recruitment, retention, and quality of services in Florida’s behavior analysis workforce. We conducted seven focus groups with Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs) and a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA) practicing across diverse settings in Florida. Using inductive thematic analysis, two primary themes emerged: (1) limited training opportunities negatively affect performance and (2) the misalignment between resources and job performance expectations. Subthemes reflected concerns about inadequate supervision systems, provider burnout, ethical compromises tied to billing structures, and systemic policies and organizational climates that deprioritize quality care. Recommendations include enhancing fieldwork training, adopting performance management strategies within organizations, and advocating for policy reforms that incentivize high-quality supervision and sustainable workloads. This study contributes a practitioner-informed understanding of ABA workforce barriers in Florida and offers a replicable framework for evaluating systemic issues affecting service quality and workforce sustainability in other regions.