Massachusetts Invests $17.9M to Strengthen Behavioral Health Workforce

updated June 27, 2025

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll ⁢administration is allocating $17.9⁤ million to 71 behavioral health organizations through the Behavioral Health Supervising Clinicians Incentive Program (SCIP). This initiative aims to address critical workforce⁣ shortages by supporting the training and supervision of aspiring behavioral health professionals.

The SCIP program provides stipends to qualified clinicians in community settings who supervise students and trainees.This support is ⁢designed to strengthen the professional development of new clinicians, setting them up for success and expanding the pool of qualified behavioral health providers in Massachusetts. The investment will support 793 supervisors and at least 1,491 supervisees⁣ over ⁢two years, fostering ⁤a robust network of support.

Gov.Maura ⁢Healey emphasized the importance of this investment. “We need‍ more qualified behavioral health⁣ providers to deliver needed⁤ care in our communities,” Healey said. “The Behavioral Health Trust Fund improves recruitment and retention of providers by providing them with an experienced, trusted supervisor ‍while in training. at the same time,⁤ it provides additional financial support to our hardworking licensed clinicians. We’re proud to ⁢deliver this funding, which will improve behavioral healthcare across the state.”

The funding is intended to offset‍ the time clinicians spend supervising students and trainees working toward certification or licensure. By easing the financial burden of supervision, the program seeks to encourage experienced clinicians‍ to mentor the next generation of behavioral health ⁢professionals, ultimately improving access to care for patients across the state. This strategic investment in the behavioral health workforce addresses a critical ‍need for qualified professionals.

Kate Walsh, secretary of Health and Human Services, highlighted the ‍program’s broader impact. “This financial support‍ recognizes the⁢ valuable contributions of current clinicians who mentor and train a diverse, qualified, and well-supported behavioral health workforce,” Walsh said. “Supporting people early in their careers, and connecting them with mentors and people who can guide⁤ them, gives newer clinicians a ⁣network to turn to which will reduce burnout and improve care to ⁢patients in our state.”

Several organizations in Western Massachusetts will receive ⁢funding, including:

• River Valley Counseling Center ⁤Inc., Holyoke ($912,000)
• Center for‍ Human Development Inc., Springfield ($816,000)
• Clinical and Support Options Inc., Northampton ($576,000)
• Behavioral Health Network Inc., Springfield ($360,000)
• Brien Center for⁤ Mental Health and Substance Abuse‍ Services, Pittsfield ($336,000)
• Helix Human Services, Springfield ($192,000)
• Lorenzi Health, Holyoke ($92,000)
• Community Services Institute, Springfield ($44,000)
• Transhealth, Florence ($72,000)
• Collaborative Endeavors LLC,⁣ Lee ($72,000)
• Holyoke Health Center Inc., Holyoke ⁤($72,000)
• African Diaspora Mental Health Assoc.⁢ LLC, Springfield ‍($72,000)
• Holistic Care Mental Health Assoc. LLC, West Springfield ($8,000)

what’s next

The Healey-Driscoll administration will continue to monitor the impact of the Behavioral Health Supervising Clinicians Incentive Program on the behavioral health workforce and explore further opportunities to support recruitment, retention, and training ‍initiatives.