About Behavioral Health Workforce Center

Clinicians can reach rural or underserved populations, improving access and reducing burnout. Training programs should move beyond traditional didactic approaches and embrace experiential learning. Students receive supervised training, and agency staff participate in research projects, fostering mutual growth. Their collaboration ensures comprehensive patient support. They learn coping strategies, share experiences, and find solace in connecting with peers who understand the unique challenges of their profession.

It aims to address disparities that contribute to poor access, treatment, and quality of care. States like Florida, Illinois,and Massachusetts are increasingly requiring BHWCs to collect and analyze actionable data to help guide policy and workforce investments. Colorado’s Workforce Capacity Center issues quarterly reports to the Joint Budget Committee, detailing metrics such as startup milestones, the volume and types of trainings delivered, certifications earned, Medicaid enrollment of trained providers, and practice locations. The law requires the state to establish a behavioral health advisory commission, comprised of 31 members who are responsible for making recommendations on the disbursement of funds from a Behavioral Health Trust Fund and selected through formal procurement. This includes faculty and physician support, staff training and facility launch, and ongoing operations and maintenance. Illinois’ Behavioral Health Workforce Education Center (BHWC) is directly funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Community Services Fund, with partial funding by the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA) of 2019 that allocates 20 percent of remaining cannabis tax revenue to address substance abuse and mental health needs.

• Between 2013 and 2019, demand surged by 353%, whereas workforce growth was only 174%.
• The existing workforce struggles to meet the demand, emphasizing the urgency of workforce development.
• Practitioners need trauma-informed training to understand the impact of trauma on both clients and themselves.
• After graduation, students commit to working at a community behavioral health agency in Washington state.

Systems & Policy

On issues from workforce development to mental health, substance use disorders to housing and homelessness, we help our clients enhance behavioral health care through systems change. In the realm of behavioral health workforce development, collaboration and partnerships play a pivotal role in shaping a resilient and effective workforce. As we delve into the nuances of behavioral health workforce development, it becomes evident that building a resilient workforce is not only desirable but imperative. The mental How Right Now: Mental Health Resources and behavioral health workforce shortage has hindered access to care in the United States, resulting in long waitlists for persons who need behavioral health care. The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative is centered around services provided in community behavioral health agencies and at tribal health centers addressing their unique workforce demands.

Publication types

States such as Arizona, New Jersey, and Washington have made direct investments in grant and scholarship awards for individuals pursuing behavioral health degrees to attract and retain a range of behavioral health professionals. In addition, the state is re-releasing over $21 million in remaining funds from previous MA Repay initiatives, which target child/adolescent psychiatrists, primary care professionals, and substance use treatment providers. Use the NASHP state strategy resource to explore the approaches of three states that are leveraging managed care payment models that incentivize improvements in behavioral health performance. The initiative is designed to enhance workforce sustainability, expand access to care, and improve service quality across the state, particularly in rural areas where shortages are more pronounced. Washington’s approach emphasizes that the increased payments are directed at community-based providers, excluding hospital inpatient services, and requires MCOs to pass these increases directly to the providers. Starting in January 2024, Washington requires managed care organizations (MCOs) to increase rates by 15 percent for these services, including specialized programs like WISe (Wraparound with Intensive Services), New Journeys, and opioid treatment programs.

Comprehensive policies are necessary to ensure an adequate supply of behavioral health professionals to meet the increasing demands of the population. Both Colorado and Ohio stress the value of collaboration in their workforce development strategies. The state has invested $36 million for recruitment and training initiatives through the Colorado Healthcare Corps, which recruits AmeriCorps members to help in health care facilities. Approximately half of direct care workers lack health insurance, which further complicates recruitment and retention.

Professionals must adapt to telehealth platforms, electronic health records, and virtual communication. Additionally, flexible work schedules and ongoing professional development foster job satisfaction. Practical training in family systems theory and communication skills is crucial for effective practice. The emotional toll can lead to disillusionment and ultimately impact the quality of care provided. The resulting grant supports scholarships for aspiring counselors. Competent professionals can offer evidence-based interventions, leading to better patient outcomes.