Aspyr, formerly the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio, recently was awarded a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) to boost the number of qualified professionals who are trained and ready to enter the behavioral health care workforce, and who are committed to serving in community behavioral health care centers.
Aspyr is a workforce innovation nonprofit serving as an intermediary in Central Ohio assisting employers with sourcing talent and jobseekers with acquiring well-paid, high quality jobs. As Franklin County’s federally-designated workforce development board, Aspyr is receiving $915,000 from OMHAS to administer four key program elements.
The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) is a key partner and advisor to Aspyr in this work. This project supports elements of ADAMH’s Workforce Development plan, and the work group on which Aspyr serves, to develop and execute strategies to expand the behavioral health workforce.
The program elements include building and launching the Franklin County Behavioral Health Leadership Institute; reaching individuals with information about behavioral health careers and connecting them with further career services at the OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County Job Center to explore and potentially pursue; providing funding for up to 40 individuals to complete a behavioral health certification program; providing funding for up to 40 Columbus State Community College students to complete their practicum hours needed to earn their Advanced Addiction Studies bachelor’s degree.
ADAMH staff have helped identify priorities, strategies and partners throughout this process. Together, ADAMH and Aspyr want to link job seekers with the tools and training needed to fill the open and in-demand positions within the community behavioral health workforce.