San Diego County and its partners have launched the Elevate Behavioral Health Workforce Fund, a new $75 million initiative aimed at bolstering the region’s behavioral health workforce, according to an Oct. 10 report from the County News Center, a county government news resource.
The fund is administered by the San Diego-based Policy and Innovation Center in partnership with Social Finance, Trailhead Strategies and other agencies. It aims to place up to 3,000 professionals into behavioral health roles.
A 2022 workforce assessment commissioned by the County Board of Supervisors found the region will need 18,500 additional behavioral health workers by 2027 to meet projected demand for mental health and substance use disorder services.
The Elevate fund consists of five programs to expand the workforce pipeline and support existing workers, including zero-interest loans for graduate students, paid internships, apprenticeships and peer support training opportunities.
Nadia Privara, acting director of county behavioral health services, said the fund will help build a workforce that reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region’s communities.
