Workforce, Education, and Training (WET) Plan Update

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As part of the MHSA process, counties are expected to submit a three year plan including an update on Workforce, Education, and Training (WET). Our WET Plan update was recently presented and approved by the Mental Health Substance Abuse and Recovery Commission this November. This Plan Update was created with the input of over 600 community stakeholders and will guide BHRS’ training and workforce development efforts for the final 3 years of MHSA WET funding (FY 14/15 to FY 16/17). The input process consisted of 2 surveys, 14 meetings with specific stakeholder groups, and 2 community meetings that occurred between May and October 2014. Through the stakeholder process, in which many of you participated, 7 priority areas for training were identified and will serve as the focus for BHRS trainings for the next 3 years.

  1. Trauma-Informed Care
  2. Cultural Competence and Humility
  3. Crisis Management and Safet
  4. Self-Care
  5. Co-Occurring-Informed Care
  6. Support and Integration of Families in Treatment
  7. Partnering and Collaboration with Other Providers and Systems

Our WET Plan Update emphasizes the training and workforce development needs of people with behavioral health lived experience and their family members. Our Lived Experience Academy will continue to train clients and family members to share their story and educate others on multiple behavioral health topics. This training program will be expanded in the coming years to teach advocacy skills as well. Clients/Consumers will also continue to have the opportunity to be trained in Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and to become certified WRAP facilitators. We will also fund the Lived Experience Scholarship program in which current and former behavioral health clients and family members can receive up to $500 to pursue education in the field of behavioral health.

The other workforce development efforts that we will pursue over the final 3 years of WET funding include the BHRS Intern/Trainee Program and Cultural Competency Stipend Program to strengthen diversity in our workforce; our Behavioral Health Career Pathways Program to encourage Daly City high school students’ interest in behavioral health careers; and our BHRS New-Hire Orientation and BHRS College to enhance staff professional development.

It will be an exciting 3 years full of many education and training opportunities!

For more information about Workforce Education and Training, check out our website:

http:smchealth.org/bhrs/wet or contact WET Coordinator, Katy Davis, at kdavis@smcgov.org