As the Bay Area grapples with a rising cost of living, the Daly City Youth Health Center (DCYHC) has emerged as a beacon of hope and innovation in addressing the behavioral health workforce crisis. For over 30 years, DCYHC has provided essential mental health services, primary care, substance use prevention and health education to residents of North San Mateo County. With a steadfast commitment to supporting youth and their families, DCYHC is actively working to tackle the challenges of workforce recruitment and retention through strategic initiatives that enhance training and promote long-term employment in the field.
Understanding the Challenge
The behavioral health sector is facing unprecedented recruitment and retention challenges, particularly in finding diverse providers who can effectively reflect and serve the community’s demographics. As mental health needs escalate, the demand for qualified professionals continues to outpace supply, making it increasingly difficult to deliver adequate services. This crisis not only impacts service delivery but also threatens the sustainability of community organizations that rely on a skilled workforce to meet local youth needs.
A Comprehensive Internship Program
At the heart of DCYHC’s strategy is a comprehensive internship program designed to cultivate the next generation of behavioral health professionals. This initiative transforms novice helpers into skilled, empathic clinicians equipped to meet community demands. The internship program emphasizes quality training in several key areas:
- Intensive Clinical Training: Interns engage in rigorous training that covers foundational principles of therapy and social work, including legal and ethical considerations, crisis intervention, counseling techniques, and clinical documentation. “But all of this is not enough to foster real healing,” said Annya Shapiro, DCYHC’s executive director, adding, “New clinicians cannot be expected to discuss what they did not notice; they must be observed in their work and receive in-the-moment feedback to foster a higher level of clinical growth while giving clients the best possible care.” To facilitate this, the organization prioritizes in-the-moment supervision and feedback, ultimately aiming to improve client outcomes.
- Peer Education and Outreach: Through collaborations with the Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD), DCYHC recruits interns to coordinate training for youth leaders, empowering them to become peer health educators. This program focuses on building coping and resiliency skills while addressing critical issues surrounding gender, sexual orientation and identity. Additionally, DCYHC’s youth leadership programs allow participants to engage in substance use research, policy advocacy and event planning, fostering essential skills in workshop facilitation, media messaging and community organization.
- Substance Use Intervention: Each year, DCYHC trains ten interns in the Brief Interventions Model (BIM), utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to support the Alternatives to Suspension Program. This approach helps address teen substance use constructively, emphasizing engagement rather than punitive measures.
Joana Vicuna, a current intern, captures the essence of DCYHC’s mission, “I chose to stay at my traineeship because it allows me to bridge language and cultural gaps, empowering marginalized families in my community. At DCYHC, I find purpose in dismantling stigma and fostering healing, knowing that every child’s voice matters in shaping a brighter future.”
Strengthening Community Partnerships
DCYHC has established strong partnerships with several educational institutions, including San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco. These relationships bolster recruitment efforts by facilitating connections with passionate students eager for real-world experience in behavioral health. The organization actively participates in university practicum fairs, hosts open house events, and develops targeted marketing materials to attract diverse candidates.
Retaining Talent Through Support and Growth
The retention of skilled interns and staff is equally critical to DCYHC’s mission. The organization fosters a supportive and inclusive culture characterized by:
- Ongoing Professional Development: Interns and staff engage in continuous training, enabling them to grow and feel fulfilled in their work with clients.
- Inclusive Agency Culture: DCYHC prides itself on a warm and collaborative environment that prioritizes trauma-informed principles. This culture encourages healthy feedback, incorporates fun and humor and promotes a balanced work-life dynamic.
- Job Placement Opportunities: Annually, DCYHC collaborates with over ten local nonprofit agencies to host a job fair, connecting well-trained interns with meaningful positions in the behavioral health field across San Mateo County. Stay tuned for updates about the next Behavioral Health Job Fair coming up in April!
- Youth Leadership Programs: By inviting young students into the health center, DCYHC creates pathways for future professionals. These programs foster community engagement and advocacy, nurturing a new generation of health leaders who are invested in their communities.
Gracia Martinez Najera, a senior clinician and former intern, reflects on her journey, “As a youth growing up in this community, I asked myself, what would it be like if someone working to support my community spoke and looked like me, my family and my neighbors? It was an easy decision for me to stay at DCYHC because I witnessed firsthand the support our staff and leadership team gave us to help us support our clients.”
Looking Ahead
As DCYHC continues to invest in training and development, it recognizes that today’s efforts are crucial for cultivating a well-prepared workforce ready to meet the evolving needs of the community. The organization’s commitment to a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace ensures that every intern is equipped with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in the field.
Each year, DCYHC welcomes a new cohort of 15-20 interns. While budget constraints may limit immediate hiring, the organization takes pride in sending well-trained clinicians into the behavioral health workforce. With a focus on family engagement, collaborative practices, and an innovative approach, DCYHC is not only addressing the current workforce crisis but also shaping a brighter future for behavioral health care in our community.
By Annya Shapiro, executive director of DCYHC. For more information on DCYHC and its programs, visit DCYHC’s website or contact us at DCYHC@jeffersonunion.net. Together, we can build a healthier community for our youth and beyond.