Expanding and Retaining California’s Behavioral Health Workforce
California’s Behavioral Health Workforce Development (BHWD) Initiative focuses on addressing the problems in the behavioral health workforce in California, including accessibility, capacity, training, and quality of care delivered. Funded by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), BHWD includes the Mentored Internship Program (MIP), Peer Workforce Investment and Expanding Peer Organizational Capacity (PWI/ EPOC) projects, Behavioral Health Recruitment and Retention (BHRR) project, Organizational Enhancement and Support (OES) for Substance Use Disorder Certifying Entities, a digital platform creation for BHWD stakeholders, development of an 80-hour drug and alcohol counselor certification curriculum, and implementation of a behavioral health workforce forum.
For over 35 years, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) has been improving health and human services systems of care and business operations to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential. AHP has extensive experience in criminal justice and justice-involved populations, from conducting assessments to planning programs, and from implementation to evaluation.
CHALLENGE
Staffing shortages have reduced accessibility to and quality of behavioral health care services. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been largely credited with creating these shortages, the strain on behavioral health workforces has long been a problem. High burnout rates, low wages, and too few individuals pursuing certifications and jobs in the industry have exacerbated the problem. An increasing need for quality behavioral health care has escalated the urgency for addressing behavioral health workforce shortages in a way that encourages long-term growth and sustainability. DHCS was tasked with addressing these challenges and hired Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) to help with the grant management and technical assistance (TA) needs for the BHWD Initiative. AHP distributes the funds and ensures their effective use across providers and their programs.
SOLUTION
AHP is the administrative entity for BHWD, helping DHCS tackle some of the biggest issues facing the behavioral health workforce across California. AHP has been integral to the development and implementation of MIP, PWI/ EPOC, BHRR, and OES grant-funded projects designed to bolster and expand peer-run and traditional behavioral health workforces. AHP provides TA and training to BHWD grantees as they pursue a shared mission to improve consumer access to, and productive participation in, behavioral health services across the state.
RESULTS
AHP tracks results across all BHWD initiatives. As of April 2024, California witnessed meaningful workforce improvements, including MIP interns transitioned into permanent staff positions and peers more successfully integrated into the behavioral health organizational workforce through PWI. In addition to collecting data regarding recruitment and retention as it becomes available, AHP seeks to ensure that all behavioral health recruitment and retention organizations are equipped with the training and TA they need to succeed, building a competent, caring, and abundant behavioral health workforce.
About Us
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) creates powerful solutions to improve health and human services systems. By partnering with the federal government, states, municipalities, healthcare systems, and nonprofits, we help people experiencing the greatest disadvantages lead full and productive lives. We are national leaders in training and technical assistance, research and evaluation, publishing, and dedicated consulting. 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. AHP was founded nearly 40 years ago to develop solutions for some of the biggest social infrastructure challenges across the nation. Our company has offices in metro Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Find out more at www.ahpnet.com.
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