Millions of Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental health condition and deaths related to opioid misuse have been skyrocketing over the past 2 decades. The current behavioral health workforce tasked with addressing these issues is currently experiencing a shortage and projections foresee this shortage continuing in the coming years. However, the behavioral health workforce has…
Providing behavioral health to inmates with mental health and substance abuse disorders in correctional facilities is important for helping to maintain a safe prison environment and reducing rates of recidivism once those inmates transition out of the prison system. However, due to behavioral health workforce shortages and other factors, most prisoners do not receive adequate…
Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are a key component of behavioral health, but little is known about their job functions, practice settings, or demographic characteristics on a broad scale. This brief describes a pilot study that was conducted to test the effectiveness of a minimum data set (MDS) designed to collect MFT workforce data.
Social workers comprise the largest segment of the behavioral health workforce. As demand for behavioral health services continues to increase, more information about social workers and the development of better data collection methods will be needed. This brief describes a study that utilized a minimum data set (MDS) designed to collect data on social workers…
The supply of behavioral health providers has struggled in recent years to keep up with increased access to and demand for services. A Minimum Data Set (MDS) is a potential data collection solution for improved workforce planning needed to address the shortage. However, more information is needed about the efficacy and feasibility of using MDS…
First in a 2-part series on “Health Workforce Needs in a Time of Transformation” highlighting research conducted by 3 of the Health Workforce Research Centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration. This session focuses on workforce configurations that support value based care. Presenters will describe changing workforce strategies in oral health, behavioral health,…
The behavioral health workforce needs more accessible and adequate data to inform valid workforce projections and address shortages. While a minimum data set (MDS) exists for the standardized collection of data at the individual level, data obtained at the organizational level is also important. This report discusses the process of using literature and key informant…
The use of telehealth has expanded considerably in the 21st century as new technologies have expanded the ways in which patients are able to receive care from their providers. Behavioral health has been no exception to this trend, yet state regulations and scopes of practice to regulate behavioral telehealth are often insufficient and lack uniformity….
The Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act have increased demand for behavioral health workers and changed the way policy makers regulate behavioral health scope of practice (SOP) to benefit patient care. Expansion of occupational SOPs is a potential solution for addressing the demand for increased diversity of services. This…
Studies show that a diverse health workforce is important for ensuring patient satisfaction and meeting the needs of underserved populations. However, white providers continue to be overrepresented in the behavioral health workforce compared to the populations they serve. Developing a diverse behavioral health workforce can be challenging due to recruitment and retention issues as well…
