HHS awards behavioral health workforce grants

The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday awarded $44.5 million to training programs to increase the number of mental health providers and substance abuse counselors. The fiscal year 2016 grants will support clinical internships and field placements for an array of professional and paraprofessional disciplines and occupations. “The program emphasizes integrating behavioral health, primary care, violence awareness and prevention, and the involvement of families in the prevention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders,” said Jim Macrae, acting administrator for HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration. “This emphasis helps strengthen the next generation of behavioral health workforce providers so they can work more effectively in a variety of 21st century health care settings.”