Developing the Mental Health Workforce Through Bachelor’s Programs
Access to behavioral health services is increasingly constrained by workforce shortages, limited provider pipelines, and structural barriers that restrict entry into the field. Implementation strategies to expand the mental health workforce are more important than ever. Join the Pacific West Hub as we examine the integration of individuals with bachelor’s degrees into mental health care delivery.
The session will use Washington State’s Behavioral Health Support Specialist (BHSS) role as a practical example. Participants will be introduced to the policy context, development timeline, and the current status of BHSS in Washington, alongside insights from similar efforts in other states, to better understand how emerging roles can improve access to care.
The session will highlight key components of BHSS implementation, including competency frameworks that reflect employer expectations for knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes, as well as efforts to standardize training through evidence-based approaches. Participants will explore how BHSS-aligned curriculum can be flexibly integrated into existing four-year degree programs and made broadly accessible. Additional discussion will address credentialing and regulatory considerations, organizational readiness, and common barriers to integration, while identifying practical opportunities to support adoption and strengthen the behavioral health workforce.
Learn more about BHSS workforce development project: https://bhss-wa.psychiatry.uw.edu/
And view the BHSS educators guide: https://bhss-wa.psychiatry.uw.edu/educatorsguide/
Session Materials