Overview
The HPC Behavioral Health Workforce Center (BHWC) was formed in partnership with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to conduct research and make data-informed policy recommendations to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts, including efforts to improve education and training pipelines, increase diversity and cultural competency, enhance opportunities for professional growth, and retain behavioral health providers in the workforce.
The BHWC serves as the Commonwealth’s primary hub for research on the behavioral health workforce. The BHWC aims to (1) identify gaps and challenges across communities and provider types; (2) monitor trends, particularly related to disparities in workforce representation and demand for services; and (3) support development of responsive, high-impact policy recommendations.
Research Agenda
The BHWC collaborates with state partners and stakeholders to capture data that informs policy development. Areas of research will include:
- A comprehensive study and analysis of rates paid for behavioral health services by both private and public payers and the adequacy of those rates.
- A study of licensure and certification processes for the behavioral health workforce.
- A study to establish baseline behavioral health workforce needs throughout the Commonwealth and develop recommendations and strategies to meet those needs.
Advisory Group
View the inaugural membership of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center Advisory Group.
This diverse group of leaders brings expertise in policy, systems, practice, and community perspectives to address the behavioral health workforce crisis in Massachusetts.
Stay Connected
Stay connected to the work of the HPC’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center. The BHWC team can be reached at [email protected].