Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County

Supporting Cuyahoga County with a diverse behavioral health care workforce

By Doug Shaffer

Crain’s Content Studio-Cleveland

Even though the pandemic impacted millions, some positives came from COVID-19. For example, with most of the world shut down, many had the opportunity to slow down and spend more time with their loved ones.

Another unexpected positive outcome of the pandemic was the increased awareness of mental health issues and substance abuse.

During the prolonged times of isolation and stress, many people started to realize mental health was something that needed to be prioritized at the community level. However, like other areas in the healthcare industry, the behavioral health care workforce has been struggling to keep up with the population’s needs.

In response, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County has been working relentlessly to strengthen the overall number of behavioral health care workers, while also improving the diversity of the workforce.

A commitment to enhancing quality of life for community members

The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County has strived to improve the quality of life for community members living with mental illnesses and substance addictions, and is one of 50 Boards in the state. of Ohio.

A continual commitment to making mental health, addiction, prevention, treatment and recovery services available to every county resident has resulted in several key initiatives for the area. For instance, the ADAMHS board has created — and operates — one of the largest training institutes in the state of Ohio.

The ADAMHS Board Training Institute has a number of workshops and affordable training options for the behavioral health workforce, family members and the general public. A few of the areas of emphasis include: • Continuing education opportunities for current professionals • Crisis intervention training for law enforcement • Mental health first aid • Suicide prevention training • Peer Recovery Supporter Training In addition to their state-leading workshops, the ADAMHS Board also acts as a community convenor and leads many task forces, coalitions and collaboratives related to behavioral health, the opioid epidemic, and suicide prevention.

Overcoming current shortages

Even with the efforts of entities like the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, there is still a shortage of behavioral health care workers. Since the pandemic began in 2020, frontline workers, including medical staff and behavioral specialists, have been under immense stress.

Working in the midst of the shutdown and having constant exposure to the COVID-19 virus has also caused high anxiety and burnout amongst workers. Along with less than favorable work conditions, behavioral health care specialists also face low wages and constant pressure to work longer hours to cover the lack of staff.

All these factors have contributed to a shortage in the overall behavioral health workforce across Ohio and Cuyahoga County.

Several initiatives are being implemented at the state and county level to help alleviate some pressure on current workers. Some of these strategies include: • Easing the licensing requirements for behavioral health care workers • Providing paid internships to encourage interns to stay with organizations longer

Another initiative that many believe will help fill the pipeline of qualified behavioral specialists includes introducing career videos at the school level. The ADAMHS Board filmed videos showcasing positive highlights of a behavioral health care career as a long-term workforce strategy. These materials have been shared with schools throughout Cuyahoga County.

State-based support for behavioral health

Additional support for mental health has also materialized at the state level, with Governor Dewine announcing in May plans to utilize $85 million in federal funding to strengthen the behavioral health care workforce.

The current plan is to use the funding to provide financial assistance, scholarships and grants for citizens looking to start a career in the behavioral health care field.

The hope is that by making it more affordable to obtain the necessary education, there should be an influx of graduates who can fill the pipeline for jobs, such as addiction counselors, social workers, therapists and behavioral health specialists.

Tomorrow’s behavioral health workforce

Over the last 54 years, ADAMHS has become a beacon of hope for those in Cuyahoga County who need resources or support for mental illnesses and substance addiction. As a pillar in the community, the ADAMHS Board is committed to meeting the needs of every single citizen.

When asked about its plan to build a stronger, diverse behavioral health care workforce in Cuyahoga County, board CEO Scott Osiecki highlighted the board’s ongoing efforts to target and deliver badly-needed specialty services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of mental health and substance use issues. And, with this awareness, comes an increased need for services,” he said. “The ADAMHS Board is working to make culturally specific prevention, crisis, treatment and recovery support services available to the residents of Cuyahoga County. We are working on short- and long-term strategies to build and strengthen a diverse behavioral health workforce to best meet the needs of our community.”