WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: California has taken significant steps to expand its behavioral health workforce with investments of more than $38 million to train and place new behavioral health professionals in underserved communities throughout the state.
SACRAMENTO — Through three innovative workforce development programs, California has distributed $38 million in awards to equip peer specialists and behavioral health professionals with the tools they need to deliver critical care services across diverse communities. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to build a culturally competent, community-rooted behavioral health system that puts lived experience and accessible education at the center of its mission.
Under the Peer Personnel Training and Placement Program, the Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, and the Wellness Coach Scholarship Program, more than 3,790 awards were issued to help with training, educating and placing behavioral health professionals.
“These programs represent HCAI’s mission to build the health workforce California communities need to thrive,” said Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) Director Elizabeth Landsberg. “By investing in those who are closest to the challenges, we’re helping to create a behavioral health workforce that looks like and understands the communities they serve, ensuring every Californian has access to compassionate care, no matter where they live.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: California faces an urgent need for behavioral health professionals. By investing in workforce training, certification, and scholarships, the state is meeting people where they are — whether that’s supporting someone with lived experience to become a certified peer support specialist or easing the financial burden for students pursuing behavioral health degrees. This comprehensive approach ensures a pipeline of committed professionals ready to serve in high-need areas.
“California is reimagining behavioral health from the ground up,” said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Johnson. “We’re not just reacting to a crisis, we’re building a new model of care grounded in prevention, community connection, and workforce development that will serve Californians for generations.”
PEER PERSONNEL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM: This program supports organizations that train and place individuals with lived experience in designated peer roles within publicly-funded mental health programs. Peer staff provide mentorship, support services, and serve as vital connectors to care for those navigating behavioral health challenges. Organizations applying must either be a Department of Health Care Services-recognized training provider that meets the 80-hour Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification training requirements or be contracted with one.
- Award Amounts: A maximum of $5,000 per participant for successful placement, up to the maximum award amount of $1,000,000 per program.
- Awardees and funding: 12 awardee organizations with a total equaling $11,244,600, with the capacity to serve 2,864 participants
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (BHSP): The BHSP provides scholarships for students pursuing degrees or certificates in behavioral health fields, from associate to doctoral levels. In return, recipients commit to providing direct care in underserved communities for 12 months.
- Award Amounts: Up to $35,000 for undergraduate students; up to $25,000 for certificate and graduate students
- Awardees and funding: 491 individual awardees, totaling $12,705,335.
WELLNESS COACH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (WCSP): The WCSP provides scholarships of up to $35,000 for students pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees that lead to becoming Certified Wellness Coaches. These professionals play a critical role in California’s youth mental health system by delivering non-clinical services focused on prevention, early intervention, and wellness education. Applicants must be enrolled in associate or bachelor’s programs in fields such as social work, psychology, human services, or addiction studies; awardees must complete field experience and commit to 12 months of service post-graduation.
- Award Amounts: Up to $35,000
- Awardees and funding: 440 individual awardees, totaling $14,082,395.
Certified Wellness Coaches will serve in schools, community health centers, tribal communities, and other child and youth-focused settings, offering wellness promotion, care coordination, screenings, support groups, and crisis referrals.
MAKING AN IMPACT: Across California, lives are being changed by the opportunities these programs create. Edward Cervantes, who once struggled with mental health, substance misuse, and the criminal justice system, found a new purpose through the Painted Brain peer support training.
“The struggle is never over,” Cervantes said. “But the Painted Brain training helped me to turn the struggle into a strength.”
Today, Cervantes facilitates support groups in men’s prisons in Southern California, using his lived experience to empower others.
After financial barriers and childcare challenges delayed her education at California State University, Dominguez Hills, LaJonnai Tolliver found new hope through the Wellness Coach Scholarship. With her daughter now in school, Tolliver can both continue her human services degree and tackle enrollment costs.
“Thank you so much for this wonderful news. It brings me much joy and hope to be awarded this scholarship,” Tolliver said.
Behavioral Health Scholarship Program recipient Selam Gebrezghi also reflected on how transformative this opportunity has been.
“This generous scholarship has not only lightened the financial burden of my graduate education but has also profoundly encouraged me in my pursuit of a career dedicated to improving behavioral health outcomes in underserved communities,” Gebrezghi said. “Your investment in my education empowers me to continue serving vulnerable populations with compassion, cultural humility, and clinical excellence.”
BIGGER PICTURE: These workforce initiatives are part of California’s long-term vision for a healthier, more equitable state. They build on historic investments in behavioral health through efforts such as the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, and Mental Health for All. California remains committed to providing accessible, equitable, and effective care to all communities, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to behavioral health.