SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY faces a projected shortfall in the number of behavioral health workers, even more than the statewide average, over the next eight years, a state study finds.
But county officials say they are seeing success in programs that add more of the critically needed county workers, which could help close the gap.
The county will need an estimated 2,154 behavioral health positions by 2033, but is likely to have only 925 applying for those jobs, says the report by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. That’s a projected 57.1% shortfall compared to a statewide average shortfall of 37.1%.
There’s already a shortage of behavioral health workers across the state, one that is expected to grow. It’s generally wider in rural areas.
“In 2025, all 58 counties are projected to face a shortage across all behavioral health roles examined, with the most severe shortages in the Northern and Sierra, Inland Empire and San Joaquin Valley regions,” the report states.
Behavioral health workers support and counsel those suffering from mental, emotional or addiction-related afflictions. As such, they have broader responsibilities than some mental health workers and as distinct from social workers as well. Behavioral health roles can range from clinicians to psychiatrists. At a time of rampant homelessness, often accompanied by mental illness or drug or alcohol addiction, behavioral health workers are in heavy demand.
Partnering to seek solutions
In San Joaquin County, Behavioral Health Services has partnered with a nonprofit, HealthForce Partners California, to try to find solutions to the staffing problem.
The resulting Behavioral Health Workforce Partnership Project has seen success so far with enhanced internship programs, targeted financial incentives and scholarships to retain workers and an emphasis on drawing from the local talent.
“The initiative focuses on building a full-service pipeline from student to licensed professional by addressing structural barriers,” according to the county’s own “white paper” on the program. Job vacancies have been reduced by 61% to 70% through the program. By hiring more workers, clinicians have been able to reduce their caseloads by an average of 59%, making them far more manageable.
Nearly four out of five of interns become county employees by their second year. Internship programs were increased by 90%.
“These outcomes reflect the power of coordinated, community-based partnerships in building a resilient, diverse and sustainable behavioral health workforce,” the county’s white paper states.
This story originally appeared in Stocktonia.
