Resources Available From the Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center

The Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center (BHWRC) aims to strengthen the workforce responsible for prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders by conducting studies to inform workforce development and planning. A joint initiative between SAMHSA and the Health Resources and Services Administration, the BHWRC works with a national consortium of experts in mental health, substance use disorders, and health workforce research. Current BHWRC research projects include:

Integration of Primary Care and Behavioral Health: A recent study by the BHWRC found that care integration tends to be implemented most effectively in organizations that create and cultivate a strong culture of collaboration; engage employees through orientation and training programs, including periodic "refresher" training; and utilize "warm hand-offs" for patient care, especially at the beginning of a patient’s treatment episode.
Development of a Diverse Behavioral Health Workforce: Several organizational characteristics can affect the recruitment and retention of a diverse behavioral health workforce. Respondents to a recent survey conducted by the BHWRC identified “the opportunity to provide care for the population served by an organization” as a major factor in their decisions to join and stay with an organization. Other important factors cited by the respondents included organizational mission, work location, job security, and flexible work schedules.

Read other recent BHWRC reports, view upcoming webinars, and sign up for the newsletter at the BHWRC website.

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