Beacon of Hope ABA Clinics under Investigation

Parents and employees of Beacon of Hope ABA Clinics are left with questions as more than 10 clinics close across South Alabama.

Greenville’s Beacon of Hope joins the list of others across South Alabama whose doors are now closed to both patients and employees. Additional Beacon of hope locations are Enterprise, Dothan, Andalusia, Ozark, Opp, Eufaula, Elba, Troy and Montgomery. Because ABA providers are few in number, Parents and children served by those clinics now have no place for behavioral services.

Documentation obtained by Action 8 News from The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) and the Alabama Behavior Analyst Advisory Council confirms that the clinics and owner Shelby DiPilla is currently under investigation. The email reads in part “we understand the seriousness of this matter and can confirm that an emergency suspension has been issued for a licensed behavior analyst. This action was taken pursuant to Act 2026-144 based on information indicating an immediate risk to public safety.”  says Malissa Valdes, Public Information Officer with the Alabama Department of Mental Health

Parents and employees are now speaking out as children are left with no ABA resources and many employees are discovering monetary discrepancies with their 401K, insurance, and final pay-check as early as January 30th of this year.

An advisory council hearing conducted on March 19, 2026, resulting in the licensee afforded full due process rights. Beacon of Hope’s suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of that process.

This is an ongoing investigation. The next advisory council meeting is set for April 10th and is currently open to the public.