Improved student outcomes: a unique, culturally relevant, and intensive behavioral health training program

ABSTRACT

The behavioral health workforce shortage is pervasive across the United States. To address this need, it is important to establish effective and culturally relevant trainings for behavioral health practitioners. This study examines the results of a Health Resource Service Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) funded program intended to increase the qualified workforce meeting high need and demand. Over the four-year funding of the program, 119 Masters of Social Work students graduated from the social work program with specialized training. The program was successful providing innovative training focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practices, and culturally responsive services.

KEYWORDS:

• Behavioral health
• culturally responsive
• training
• workforce

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Intersectionality is the acknowledgment that everyone has their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression, and we must consider everything and anything that can marginalize people – gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc. (womankind.org.uk).

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award of $1.9 million. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.