An Apprenticeship Model for California’s Behavioral Health Workforce
California is in the midst of a behavioral health crisis where the people providing mental health services often don’t reflect the communities they serve. Across the state, millions of residents live in areas with too few providers, while systemic barriers keep many talented individuals especially from underrepresented backgrounds out of the field.
The Catalyst for Wellness in Community (CWC) Apprenticeship Program offers a promising solution. Developed by the California Alliance of Child and Family Services’ Catalyst Center in partnership with Chabot–Las Positas Community College District and supported by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), this innovative “earn-and-learn” model is reimagining how we grow California’s behavioral health workforce.
The program recruits apprentices with deep community ties and lived experience, individuals who have navigated foster care, housing instability, or immigration challenges. Through paid on-the-job training, college coursework, and comprehensive support, apprentices earn an Associate of Arts for Transfer degree in Social Work and Human Services while building real-world skills. The result? A new generation of culturally responsive, trauma-informed professionals ready to meet California’s growing behavioral health needs.
Early results are inspiring: most apprentices are first-generation college students and bring rich linguistic and cultural diversity to their roles. Employers report improved staff retention, stronger community trust, and more accessible care for families.
The CWC model shows what’s possible when workforce development is rooted in equity, inclusion, and community. Now, with statewide expansion underway, this approach could transform how California supports both its providers and the people they serve.