Behavioral Health Resources for Employers

Behavioral Health Recruitment and Retention Resources:

• NCSL State Strategies to Recruit and Retain the Behavioral Health Workforce
• How the Challenges of the Behavioral Health Workforce Affect Recruitment and Retention
• Factors that Affect Behavioral Health Provider Retention
• Building Blocks For Behavioral Health Recruitment and Retention Overview | RCORPTA (rcorp-ta.org)
• Recruitment & Retention - Home (ahpnet.com) – Advocates for Human Potential
• SAMHSA's Recruitment and Retention Toolkit | Careers of Substance
• MHTTC Recruitment and Retention of School Mental Health Providers: Strategies and Key Resource
• Community Living Brief: Workforce Planning: How to Recruit and Retain Mental Health Workers | advancingstates.org
• Recruitment and Retention of Behavioral Helath Provider Full Report (behavioralhealthworkforce.org)
• Mental Health Matters: Policy Framework on Workforce Mental Health (ncsl.org)
• TACC Growing and Strengthening the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Workforce

 

National Programs & Resource Articles on Rural Behavioral Health Workforce:

• Rural SUD Info Center – Rural Substance Use Disorder Resources
• Behavioral Health Workforce Projections | Bureau of Health Workforce (hrsa.gov)
• HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration
• American Journal of Preventive Medicine | The Behavioral Health Workforce: Planning, Practice, and Preparation | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier
• NASHP The State Perspective on Rural Behavioral Health Crisis Services
• Rural Behavioral Health | SAMHSA
• The Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America: Developing a National Recruitment Strategy
• Behavioral Health Workforce Projections | Bureau of Health Workforce (hrsa.gov)
• American Journal of Preventive Medicine | The Behavioral Health Workforce: Planning, Practice, and Preparation | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier
• RHRC Report on Changes in the Supply and Rural-Urban Distribution of Counselors in the US
• AJPM Article - Virtual Mentorship Network to Address Rural Shortage of MH Providers
• AJPM Article - The Future of the Behavioral Health Workforce - Optimism and Opportunity
• AJPM Article - Closing Behavioral Health Workforce Gaps
• AJPM Article - Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages - Lessons Learned in New Mexico
• University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
• National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP) (uic.edu) 
• The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network conducts nationwide surveys and interviews to measure and monitor the addiction treatment workforce.
• U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services Partnership Career Pathways Joint Letter.  
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) for five-year, sector-based, career pathways programs. Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) | The Administration for Children and Families (hhs.gov) 2010-2021
• ‘Not enough therapists’: Georgia lawmakers aim to support mental health workforce (ajc.com)
• Workforce Resources - Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network (mhttcnetwork.org)
• Mental Health in Rural Communities Toolkit -This recently updated toolkit provides models, resources, and best practices to support the development and implementation of mental health programs in rural communities.
• The National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net
• Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Report - Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center at the Univserity of Michigan
• The Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America: Developing a National Recruitment Strategy 
• Rural Health Research RECAP Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
• Recruiting and Retaining Behavioral Health Workers in Rural United States - Chart
• Behavioral Health SUD Centers of Excellence: Resources and Programs | University of Rochester Medicine - Recovery Center of Excellence
  • Prevention - University of Rochester Medicine - Recovery Center of Excellence
  • Treatment -  Helping patients by helping providers - Center on Rural Addiction UVM
  • Recovery - Rural Center Of Excellence - Fletcher Group

 

Data on Behavioral Health Workforce Demographics:

• Licensed social workers in the United States and Canada - Association of Social Work Boards (aswb.org)
• Rural Minds - Data/resources on the impact of mental health in rural America
• Rural Mental Health – Organizations
• Access to Care Data 2023 | Mental Health America (mhanational.org) - report on access to mental health care and workforce data
• Behavioral Health Workforce Tracker - MULLAN INSTITUTE (gwhwi.org) 

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Behavioral Health:

• Quality Practice and Workforce Development | SAMHSA
• Behavioral Health Equity | SAMHSA
• LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity Center of Excellence | SAMHSA
• 7 Generations American Indian and Alaska Native Behavioral Health Center of Excellence - free training and technical assistance for behavioral health providers and paraprofessionals serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. 
• National American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
• Indian Health Service Division of Behavioral Health (IHS DBH)
• Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health (CAIANH)
• National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)
• National Latino Behavioral Health Association NLBHA
• Native American Pathways Program - Medical Preceptorship
• Latino Addiction Counselor Education (LACE) Program - The LACE Program's main goals are to increase: the number of Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e (H/L) individuals with addiction treatment credentials; the H/L community’s access to culturally and linguistically competent care; the capacity of the publicly funded system to H/L treatment outcomes.
• Black Addiction Counselor Education (BACE) Program - The BACE Program trains Black adult learners in addiction/mental health, and supports those interested in attaining Licensure and Certification. The overall goal is to increase the publicly funded treatment system’s capacity to provide culturally relevant services to Black residents of MA.

 

Licensure/Certification Resources:

• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Workforce Career Navigator
• Social Work Licensure Compact (swcompact.org)  - additional licensing pathway that will facilitate multistate practice among member states and reduce the barriers to license portability.
• Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) - The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (asppb.net) - an interstate compact created to facilitate telehealth and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across jurisdictional boundaries.
• Social Work License | Requirements and Resources
• Human Services Careers | PublicHealthOnline.org
• Social Work License | Requirements and Resources 
• National NCSL Scope of Practice - Behavioral Health Providers Overview - Scope of Practice Policy
• Addiction Specialist Degrees, Certifications, and Qualifications 
• MDLR Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project - Online Resource for Licensure of Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers which provides up-to-date information on emerging regulation and licensing in each state.
• Association of Social Work Boards (aswb.org)
• Getting licensed in another state or province - Association of Social Work Boards
• Licensing requirements by state or province - Association of Social Work Boards
• Continuing competence - Association of Social Work Boards
• Consumer Guide: How Can a Peer Specialist Support My Recovery From Problematic Substance Use? For People Seeking Recovery | SAMHSA Publications and Digital Products - This guide is a comprehensive resource that will help readers understand who professional peer specialists are and what they do in various work settings.
• SAMHSA's National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification | SAMHSA Publications and Digital Products - This document outlines model standards for substance use disorder, mental health, and family/youth peer support certification.
• National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative (thenationalcouncil.org) - national initiative that focuses on addressing barriers to clinical licensure and prioritizes job placements with non-profits

Pathway Program Resources:

• Research projects - Educational Pathways to Professional-level Behavioral Health Degree Programs (unc.edu)
• ACU -  The Growing Provider Shortage: Building the Case for Developing an HP-ET Program
• ACU Health Professions Training Toolkit for Recruitment and Retention
• Leveraging Career Pathway Programs: State Strategies to Combat Health Care Workforce Shortages (ncsl.org)
• Rural Project Examples Addressing Health workforce pipeline - Rural Health Information Hub
• National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program directory by state: Area Health Education Centers Directory Report
• National HOSA Future Health Professionals program directory by state - Chartered Associations – HOSA
• National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP) (uic.edu) – The NCRHP is home to the Rural Health Professions (RHP) Program and the Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network (AHEC) Program, Native American Pathways Program, and Student Pipeline Programs, which are committed to recruiting and retaining the next generation of rural health professionals. 
• Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Education, Learning and Leadership (BHWELL) program: BHWELL Program- Rural Social Work - NCRHP (uic.edu)
• State by State Directory of Peer Recovery Coaching Training and Certification Programs
• State Resources for Health Career Education | explorehealthcareers.org
• New Resource: Issue Brief: Expanding Peer Support and Supporting the Peer Workforce in Mental Health - This issue brief offers information to State Mental Health Authorities (SMHA) about the benefits of peer support and inclusion of the peer workforce throughout the behavioral health continuum. The brief highlights current standards and best practices for including peer support workers as an essential component of services delivery for mental and co-occurring disorders, like substance use disorder.

 

Accredited Educational Programs:

• Careers of Substance
• CSWE Council on Social Work Education (recognized by the federal government’s Council on Higher Education) which accredits Social Work programs.
• American Psychological Association for psychology programs
• CACREP accredits over 900 master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling specialties across the United States

 

Behavioral Health Pathway Program Examples and Best Practice Models:

• Connecticut - Health Occupations and Technology Careers in Connecticut (HOT Guide)
  
  • Health 360, a mental health non-profit for underserved communities in Connecticut - ABOUT | Health360 | Connecticut | AmeriCorps
  • CHDI Releases New Strategic Plan to Strengthen Connecticut's Behavioral Health Workforce :: The Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut
• Indiana -  Bowen Center Playbook for Enhancing Indiana's Mental & Behavioral Health Workforce - collaborative project which is focused on understanding Indiana’s post-secondary pipeline to practice for mental and behavioral health workers and identifying opportunities to strengthen the workforce.
• California - Mental & Behavioral Health Career Pathways
  
  • Behavioral-Mental Health Pathway Tool Kit | Health Workforce Initiative (ca-hwi.org)
  • Behavioral/ Mental Health Pipeline | Health Workforce Initiative (ca-hwi.org)
• Maine - Workforce Development in Maine: Behavioral Health Training | MCD Global Health
• Nebraska - Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska | University of Nebraska Medical Center (unmc.edu)
• Michigan - Solutions Collaborative Initiatives | Michigan Health Council (mhc.org)
• New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and New York - Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Center (rbhwc.org)
• Massachusetts - https://careersofsubstance.org/your-career/career-paths
• Pennsylvania - Behavioral Health Training & Education Network (BHTEN) BHTEN - Quality Educational Experience
• Minnesota - 3 Es Roadmap - LYFT Career Pathways (lyftpathways.org) - Online tool for career exploration, exposure, and experience for careers in healthcare
• Montana - Behavioral Health Training Program - Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center | Montana State University
• Illinois - National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP) (uic.edu) 
  
  • Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Education Learning and Leadership (BHWELL) program BHWELL Program- Rural Social Work - NCRHP (uic.edu)
• Colorado - Pediatric Mental Health Training & Pathway Programs:
  • University of Colorado Irving Harris Program in Child Development and Infant Mental Health 
    Child and Adolescent Psychiatry APRN Fellowship Program with Pediatric Mental Health Institute (PMHI) at Children’s Hospital Colorado
  • Colorado University and Colorado Behavioral Health Administration Hummingbird Initiative 
• California - Children and Youth Behavioral Health Institute (cachildrenstrust.org)
• Washington - Washington Health Care Authority: 
  · Explore your behavioral health career opportunities today. (startyourpath.org)
  · Washington HCA BH Career Recruitment Partner Toolkit
• Building the Behavioral Health Care Workforce in Rural Areas | Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network (attcnetwork.org) – 10 ATTC regions 
  
  • Pre-Service Educational Resources | Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network (attcnetwork.org)
  • Preparing Students To Work In Integrated Health Care Systems 2017 Whitepaper 

 

Organizations supporting Behavioral Health Workforce Development:

• Behavioral Health Workforce Projections, 2020-2035 (hrsa.gov)
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing - The National Council supports mental health and substance use providers through advocacy, consulting, and education to ensure equitable access to services, building capacity for care delivery, investing in the workforce, and promoting mental wellbeing as a core component of health and health care.
• National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers - Workforce Resources - The mission of NAATP is to provide leadership, advocacy, training, and member support services to ensure the availability and highest quality of addiction treatment. The Workforce Resources section offers industry resources, a job center, salary survey, and webinars.
• Workforce | SAMHSA
• Practitioner Training | SAMHSA
• SAMHSA Practical Guide for Expanding the Community-Based Behavioral Health Workforce
• National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/advocacy 
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/ 
• Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) Workforce Resources - Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network 
• Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Report - Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center at the University of Michigan 
• The Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America: Developing a National Recruitment Strategy (healthworkforceta.org)
• Rural Health Research RECAP Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
• Recruiting and Retaining Behavioral Health Workers in Rural US - CHRT
• NIHCM Behavioral Health Care Workforce Shortages Solutions

 

National Behavioral Health Associations and Job Boards:

• National Council for Behavioral Health’s Job Bank
• National Association for Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors (NAADAC)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Job Connection
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Career Center
• Managing your career in psychology (apa.org) job board, career resources and virtual career fairs
• American Psychiatric Association's Job Central 
• International Nurses Society on Addiction Career Center
• Behavioral Health Jobs & Career Guide - PsychologyJobs.com  
• Careers - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org) – national collection of job boards for crisis counselor careers, internships, and volunteer opportunities 

 

National Behavioral Health Professional Organization events:

• Annual Addiction Medicine Conference for General Healthcare Providers and Addictions Professionals
• Psych Congress Elevate Annual Meeting
• National Association for Rural Mental Health Annual Conference
• American Psychiatric Association Mental Health Services Annual Conference
• National Institute of Mental Health Conference and Symposium
• Mental Health America Annual Conference
• NAADAC Annual Conference for addiction professionals
• American Psychological Association Annual Convention
• National Association of Social Workers National Conference