Building Workforce Capacity
Building efficient, sustainable workforce infrastructure requires innovative approaches to clinical operations, staffing models and organizational systems. Our capacity building programs help mental health and substance use organizations expand their workforce, streamline services and reduce administrative burdens.
Expanding Peer Support
Our resources help organizations expand their workforce by using peer support and clinical support networks more effectively, addressing workforce shortages and increasing service capacity.
Advancing Peer Workforce Best Practices in Integrated Care
Centering Voices of Lived and Living Experience
Integrating and Supporting Peer Recovery Support Services in CCBHCS
- Organizational Self-assessment for Peer Readiness
- Peer Recruitment and Hiring
- Retention Strategies to Support Wellness in Integrated Care Settings
- Effective Supervision and Peer Role Clarity in Integrated Care Settings
- Career Advancement and Professional Development Pathways
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration and System Integration
A summary of best and promising practices for centering lived and living experience and recovery in practice, operations and governance.
This report was informed by the National Council’s CCBHC Living Experience Advisory Council.
With support from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE), the National Council launched a project, Integrating and Supporting Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) in Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).
This national initiative will develop a comprehensive framework to meaningfully integrate PRSS into CCBHCs and other clinical settings. The work is guided by an expert advisory committee of peer workers, supervisors, CCBHC administrators and other key staff. The framework and accompanying tools reflect the committee members’ lived experience, professional insight and lessons learned from past integration efforts. This ensures that the resulting resources are both practical and grounded in the realities of implementation.
This national initiative will develop a comprehensive framework to meaningfully integrate PRSS into CCBHCs and other clinical settings. The work is guided by an expert advisory committee of peer workers, supervisors, CCBHC administrators and other key staff. The framework and accompanying tools reflect the committee members’ lived experience, professional insight and lessons learned from past integration efforts. This ensures that the resulting resources are both practical and grounded in the realities of implementation.
Strengthening Operational Capacity
We support organizations as they implement evidence-based staffing models and operational frameworks that improve workforce satisfaction and client outcomes.
Active CCBHCs have hired 11,240 new staff — averaging 27 new positions per clinic — since becoming a CCBHC. This represents a 13% increase in their workforce.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions
Mental Health First Aid
The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model gives states, clinics and grantees the tools needed to support a range of mental health and substance use treatment services, providing expanded care while improving access to crisis services and coordinated care across the behavioral health system. As an integrated and sustainably financed model for care delivery, the CCBHC model alleviates decades-old challenges that have led to a workforce crisis in mental health and addiction care. We offer support, guidance and resources to help states and clinics successfully implement and expand the model.
- CCBHC Workforce Innovations Project The CCBHC Workforce Innovations project is a toolkit and learning series developed by the CCBHC Expansion National Training and Technical Assistance Center. It offers real-world case studies, practical steps and resources designed to help CCBHCs address key workforce challenges, such as staffing redesign, recruitment, retention and employee wellness, through strategic infrastructure and policy improvements.
- Financial Sustainability of the CCBHC Workforce This case study offers strategic guidance for CCBHCs on sustaining their workforce through innovative financial planning. It spotlights Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare in Florida, detailing approaches to funding, resource allocation and staffing infrastructure tailored to long‑term viability.
Implementing integrated care models can help organizations address workforce issues by refining processes and enhancing providers’ capacity.
- Comprehensive Health Integration Framework The Comprehensive Health Integration Framework is a groundbreaking, evidence-based, bidirectional framework that will guide your organization through sustainable physical and behavioral health integration.
- Collaborative Care Model The Collaborative Care Model is the most widely studied integrated care model and can support effective, cost-effective care in health systems, including those that serve rural communities, older adults, children and youth. We provide learning collaboratives, webinars, resource development and direct technical assistance consultations, with a special focus on Collaborative Care Model implementation and sustainability.
- Strengthening Integrated Care Systems and Cross-Agency Collaboration As it examines how integrated care models can expand access, improve coordination and promote better health outcomes for people with complex needs, this webinar provides practical solutions for strengthening recruitment, retention and training.
- Overcoming Workforce Challenges in the Integrated Health Field This webinar explores root causes of the workforce shortage, recruitment strategies and tips to strengthen the integrated care workforce.
Mental Health First Aid at Work
The Mental Health First Aid at Work curriculum:
- Increases employee productivity, morale and retention by cultivating a supportive team culture
- Fosters open discussions about mental health and substance use challenges and treatments
- Reduces stigma to build a new path for employees’ total health and wellbeing
“I enjoyed the perspective provided by leaders of integrated care organizations. It provided me further insight in developing an organization that meets both the needs of clients and employees.”
— Webinar attendee
Explore our library of workforce webinars. Watch On Demand.