Columbus, Ohio – In response to the growing demand for mental healthcare services in Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine announced a new initiative aimed at attracting more professionals to the field. The Great Minds Fellowship Workforce Commitment Incentive Program offers college graduates a financial incentive to work at Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) across the state.
“The demand for mental healthcare services is growing twice as fast as the size of the mental healthcare workforce,” Governor DeWine said. “It is critical that we incentivize more of our best and brightest young minds to launch their careers in these fields so we can help our most vulnerable Ohioans receive the support they need to reach their full potential.”
Incentive to Strengthen Behavioral Health Workforce
Through this initiative, recent college graduates who commit to at least one year of full-time employment at a CBHC can apply for up to $20,000 in grant funding. This funding is intended to help cover the costs of their education, serving as a strong incentive to encourage more graduates to join the mental healthcare workforce.
The incentive program is designed to combat the gap between the increasing demand for behavioral health services and the slower growth of the workforce. While the demand for services is expected to rise by 5.6% each year for the next decade, the workforce would need to grow by 9.8% annually to meet that demand.
Applicants eligible for the program must have graduated or received certification after May 2023 from academic programs related to mental health counseling, psychiatric nursing, substance abuse counseling, social work, or marriage and family counseling. To qualify for the incentive, participants must have secured employment at a CBHC by January 6, 2025.
Expanding the Great Minds Fellowship
The Workforce Commitment Incentive Program expands the existing Great Minds Fellowship, which initially provided funding to active college students pursuing careers in behavioral health. Now, the program extends to recent graduates to help them transition into their careers.
“Ohioans in crisis or who are seeking help with substance use disorder shouldn’t have to wait for care,” said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “Yet, today, an estimated 2.4 million Ohioans live in communities without enough behavioral health professionals. The health and success of Ohio’s families and communities depend on an effective strategy to recruit and retain more people into this high-demand field.”
Addressing the Behavioral Health Crisis in Ohio
The demand for mental health services has surged in Ohio. A 2021 study conducted in part by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) found that demand for these services increased by 353% between 2013 and 2019. Despite this surge, the behavioral health workforce only grew by 174%, leaving many Ohioans underserved.
“Our goal is to reduce wait times and ensure that everyone in the community can access the healthcare services they need,” Governor DeWine said.
The new program is part of a broader initiative by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and OhioMHAS to recruit and retain mental health professionals in the state. ODHE Chancellor Mike Duffey emphasized the importance of building a strong pipeline of professionals to meet the growing need.
Application Details and Timeline
Applications for the Workforce Commitment Incentive Program will be available starting October 1, 2024, and will remain open until November 15, 2024. Applicants can find detailed eligibility requirements, a list of eligible CBHCs, and more on the program’s webpage.
The program promises to bring much-needed relief to Ohio’s behavioral health system, ensuring better access to care and support for vulnerable populations across the state.
For more information, visit the Great Minds Fellowship website
