📍Newton, Massachusetts
Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce
Challenge:
There are major workforce shortages in behavioral health care at all levels. High-quality, evidence-based behavioral health care that is informed by the individual’s life experience is especially in demand for children, adolescents, and families.
Solution:
With funding from the HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals, William James College developed a Community Health Workers (CHWs) Training Program through their Center for Workforce Development to strengthen the behavioral health workforce serving children and adolescents in medically under-resourced communities. The program included the following features:
- Youth-focused mental health training programs: Equipped CHWs and paraprofessionals with specialized skills to support children and adolescents in medically under-resourced communities.
- Career readiness and professional development activities: Offered targeted training programs to build foundational knowledge, applied skills, and career readiness for individuals supporting children and adolescents experiencing behavioral health challenges.
- Community-based partnerships: Collaborated with community-based organizations, school districts, and healthcare providers to increase access to integrated behavioral health services and strengthen the CHW workforce.
- Telehealth & outreach services: Expanded outreach efforts and referrals, as well as counseling and wraparound care through telehealth services for youth and families.
Impact:
✅ Increased the number of trained behavioral health professionals in the area who specialize in child and adolescent mental health services.
✅ Strengthened integrated, team-based behavioral healthcare across schools, health centers, and primary care settings through workforce development and interagency collaborations.
✅ Enhanced access to mental health services for youth and families that are informed by community needs.