Overview

The Workforce Education and Training (WET) unit is integral to Alameda County Behavioral Health Department’s (ACBHD) vision of cultivating a diverse, linguistically capable workforce equipped to deliver culturally responsive services centered on wellness, recovery, and resiliency. By managing the development, implementation, and evaluation of workforce initiatives, the WET unit builds the capacity of ACBHD staff and contracted community-based organizations (CBOs). Through strategic partnerships with peer-run agencies, educational institutions, and local and state entities, the WET team ensures a prepared and adaptable workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of Alameda County’s communities.

ANNOUCEMENTS:

Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program

Department of Health Care Access and Information is offering this Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (MBH-SLRP) as part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Workforce Initiative. The program is committed to expanding access to critical mental health and substance use disorder services across California.

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Local Programs

The following programs were developed through the WET Community Planning Process. Each of these programs has been approved by the Ongoing Planning Council, the local stakeholder group responsible for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Planning, and by the California Department of Mental Health.

Plan Requirements

The WET Community Planning Process required local stakeholders to recognize the following requirements of this funding stream:

  • Conduct a Needs Assessment of the ACBH Workforce, which includes staff hired by both the County and Community-Based Organization (CBO) Contractors;
  • Develop a WET Plan that uses educational partnerships and training to address identified shortages in occupations, cultural and linguistic capacity and other critical skill sets.

Training & Technical Assistance Summary of the Training Unit: Approach, and Scope of Work

The Alameda County Behavioral Health Training Unit (a subsidiary of Workforce, Education & Training) provides a coordinated and consistent approach to training and technical assistance when developing curriculum. Training Unit develops, researches, and provides a broad array of training related to mental health clinical practice, and wellness recovery & resilience.

Workforce Building – Mental Health Workforce Career Pathways

The Workforce Building program is designed to establish a comprehensive career pipeline strategy through partnerships with community colleges, offering an accessible academic entry point for individuals pursuing careers in behavioral health. This program focuses on fostering opportunities for consumers, family members, and students from ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds, as well as those with an interest in human services education. By supporting education and career development, the program aims to expand the workforce and provide a pathway to meaningful employment within Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD).

Pathways Academy – Beats Rhymes And Life (BRL)

Pathways Academy’s Workforce, Education, and Training trainees gained supervised experience working in mental health prevention programs supporting the very communities they come from, within Alameda County.

FACES For the Future

The Bright Young Minds (BYM) Program continues to be a transformative initiative designed to engage high school students in behavioral health careers, foster community involvement, and provide mentorship and professional development opportunities. This year’s program included multiple components, such as the BYM Conference, mentorship, and various student workshops and activities, all aimed at encouraging students to explore careers in mental health and substance use.

Ohlone College, Mental Health Student Navigator Training Program

The Ohlone College Student Health Center STEP Up Program is a workforce development initiative designed to train community college students to provide peer support in transitioning students from campus-based mental health services to community-based mental health services and other basic needs. The program operates in partnership with six campuses: Berkeley City College, Chabot College, College of Alameda, Las Positas College, Laney College, and Ohlone College. Funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health’s Workforce Development Education and Training Division, the program aims to expand access to mental health resources and support for students while building a pipeline of future mental health professionals.

The WET Internship Coordinator

This position plays a pivotal role in the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the Alameda County Behavioral Health Internship Program. This program is designed in alignment with the California Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Workforce, Education, and Training (WET) Plan. The coordinator oversees the integration and coordination of academic internship programs across the ACBH workforce, ensuring consistency and quality in internship experiences. Additionally, the role involves proactive outreach to educational institutions to promote internship opportunities, fostering strong partnerships to attract and prepare the next generation of behavioral health professionals. Fellowship programs were with the UCSF Public Psychiatry fellowship program and the Stanford School of Public Psychiatry Program.

ACBH Graduate Clinical Internship Program

The mission and goal of the internship program is to provide training that optimizes student learning, leadership, and overall support & development. Staff also conduct outreach to educational institutions to publicize internship opportunities.

Financial Incentives

Offer financial incentives as workforce recruitment and retention strategies, and to increase workforce diversity. Financial Incentives are offered to eligible clinical staff employed in ACBHD and to graduate interns placed in ACBH and contracted Community-Based Organizations, and who are linguistically and/or culturally able to serve the underserved and unserved populations of the County. The Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program is for eligible clinical staff who completes a service obligation in public behavioral health in Alameda County.

ACBHD Graduate Intern Stipend Program (GISP)

  • Offers financial incentives as a workforce recruitment & retention strategy while increasing workforce diversity.
  • Financial Incentives are offered to graduate interns placed at ACBH and contracted community-based organizations.
  • Retain individuals who are linguistically and or culturally able to serve the underserved and unserved populations of the County.

Additional Information

For more information about WET in Alameda County, please: