Hello Association Executives,
We wanted to share the attached article and note that was sent along from one of our members regarding improving the behavioral health workforce.
Dear colleagues,
Attached is an excellent but sobering peer reviewed article on how other states have addressed the behavioral health workforce crisis. The "Readers Digest" version basically states our national workforce lacks the size and skill to assist a significant portion of our population with serious BH problems – and actions at the federal and state level have been tiny in comparison to the breadth and depth of the problem.
Many of the tactics in the article that were deployed in other states were extended to both state government AND community-based not-for-profit agencies. A big concern in the recent executive order in IL to address the state's BH and social service system of care staff shortage is that community agencies were excluded in the state's campaign – even though we are their contracted providers. This means the community agency's biggest competitor is likely (or more likely to be) the state with higher salaries and probably more robust benefits. Nevertheless some (but not all) of the tactics described in the article seem attainable:
- Adjust reimbursement rates upward
- Scholarships and loan forgiveness or repayment
- Immediate cash incentives (have greater influence)
- Funded internships
- Better opportunities for professional development
- Faculty fellowships for research supported interventions
- Improved quality of clinical supervision
- Robust advertising campaign so the above not overlooked
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Keisha Pitts
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Washington DC
202-684-7457
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