California’s Mental Health Workforce: Under Threat as State Faces Budget Cuts

Tara Gamboa-Eastman, Director of Government Affairs at the Steinberg Institute, emphasized the need for increased funding to address workforce shortages in California’s behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse services. According to her, around half a billion dollars in budget reductions could significantly impact these efforts, which are already facing severe staffing challenges.

Gamboa-Eastman highlighted the state’s recent investments in children’s mental health services and infrastructure to address mental illness and substance abuse among homeless individuals during the pandemic. However, she stressed that building up the workforce is crucial to successfully implement recent reforms and meet the needs of Californians.

According to a Steinberg Institute estimate, California will need an additional 375,000 behavioral health providers in the next decade to keep up with demand for services. Psychologist Le Ondra Clark Harvey, now CEO of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies, shared how crucial funding programs are for building a workforce that serves underserved populations.

Harvey expressed concern that potential budget cuts could hinder progress made in expanding the workforce to better serve communities. While California plans to raise the minimum hourly wage for nearly half a million workers in the industry starting July 1st to improve retention and recruitment, she noted that these efforts could be undermined by cuts in workforce training and support programs.