Behavioral Health Care Worker Awards
California Alliance of Child and Family Services Member Agencies Receive Behavioral Health Care Workforce Awards
Sacramento, CA - The California Alliance of Child and Family Services (CA Alliance) is thrilled to announce that five of its members have been awarded grants to support their behavioral healthcare workforce through a program offered by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). A combined total of $2.895 million in funding was awarded to 39 agencies to support the next generation of behavioral health care workers through mentored internship.
The awards, announced on April 25th, by California Governor Gavin Newsom, are part of a larger effort to address the state’s shortage of mental health professionals and improve access to quality behavioral health services for all Californians, particularly those in underserved communities.
Among the CA Alliance member recipients include:
• Community Solutions for Children, Families and Individuals
• Helpline Youth Counseling, Inc.
• Rancho San Antonio Boys Home, Inc.
• San Diego Center for Children, and
• The Village Family Services.
This announcement follows grants provided in 2022 by DHCS for Mentored Internship, and 16 CA Alliance members were awarded.
Among those recipients in 2022 were:
• Aldea Inc.
• Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families
• Children's Home of Stockton
• Community Solutions for Children, Families and Individuals
• Crittenton Services for Children & Families
• Foothill Family Service
• A Greater Hope
• Penny Lane Centers
• Rebekah Children's Services
• Redwood Community Services Inc.
• San Diego Center for Children
• Seneca Family of Agencies
• Stanford Youth Solutions
• Sycamores
• Victor Community Support Services, Inc.
• WestCoast Children's Clinic
Each of these organizations has a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of children and families throughout California, and their work is essential to the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
"We are incredibly proud of our members who have been recognized with these awards," said Christine
Stoner-Mertz, CEO, CA Alliance. "Their dedication to the children, youth, young adults and families they serve is unwavering, and we are confident that this funding will enable them to continue providing high-quality behavioral health services."
The funds awarded to these organizations will support a variety of initiatives, including workforce development programs, innovative service delivery models, support for the substance use disorder workforce, and technology upgrades to improve access to care.
In the announcement from the Governor’s Office, Governor Newsom said of the awarded grants, “California needs more health care workers and through this mentorship program, we are supporting young professionals at the start of their careers and equipping them with the skills needed to help tackle the opioid crisis. The grants going out today will help ensure that our health care workforce better reflects the communities they serve and help expand access to critical behavioral health services for all Californians.”
With these awards, California is taking an important step toward building a strong, sustainable behavioral health workforce that can meet the growing demand for services throughout the state. Congratulations to all the awardees, including our members at the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, for their exceptional work and dedication to improving the lives of Californians.