Transforming behavioral health workforce pathways through innovative, employer-embedded learning and career advancement opportunities.
Our Mission
BHWI distinguishes itself by focusing specifically on upskilling existing professionals in the behavioral health field and creating new, accessible career pathways for talent at every stage. Unlike initiatives that primarily support paid internships, tuition reimbursement, or supervisor stipends for those already accessing higher education, we address systemic equity gaps earlier in the pipeline through employer-embedded "learn and earn" models at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Our approach enables anyone working in behavioral health across Massachusetts to access affordable, on-the-job degree programs that build skills, advance careers, and strengthen a diverse and resilient workforce.
$10M+
ATF has invested since 2022 in high-impact grants expanding behavioral health access and workforce development
300+
Professionals will graduate from the LMHC program by 2028, strengthening the behavioral health workforce
50%+
Of participants identify as BIPOC professionals, advancing diversity and cultural humility across Massachusetts' behavioral health field
Shovel-Ready
Programs building training pipelines that link frontline staff to advanced education, licensure, and career advancement
Our landmark partnership with Framingham State University enables agency staff to earn master's degrees debt-free and on-the-job, while serving their communities. This innovative model removes financial and time barriers that have historically prevented frontline workers from advancing their careers and credentials.
Supported by state funding, the LMHC program will graduate 300 professionals by 2028, significantly strengthening the behavioral health workforce across Massachusetts. Participants emerge as Licensed Mental Health Counselors who understand agency history, culture, and client needs—creating a diverse, stable, and skilled workforce.
Our approach fundamentally reimagines how workers enter and advance in behavioral health careers:
Enable professionals with high school degrees to earn stackable credentials through on-the-job learning, progressing toward associate and bachelor's degrees while working full-time in the field.
Apprentices gain real-world experience, certifications, and mentorship that drive credential attainment, career growth, and workforce retention.
Early-career professionals with associate degrees complete Salem State University's fully online Bachelor of Social Work in about two years, with a clear pathway to advanced-standing MSW study.
BHWI's programs are rigorously and independently evaluated by Brandeis University, with ongoing monitoring of outcomes, scalability, and sustainability—including replication at other sites and in MSW graduate programs across Massachusetts. This commitment to evidence ensures that our investments create lasting, measurable impact.
Independent assessment by Brandeis University ensures accountability and continuous improvement.
BHWI is positioned to accelerate workforce development statewide by complementing existing efforts and addressing persistent gaps. As a strategic partner in statewide initiatives—including the HPC Behavioral Health Workforce Advisory Board—we target unmet needs with innovative, non-duplicative solutions that respond to emerging priorities such as the CoCM MSW graduate intern initiative.
With state investment, BHWI will expand proven apprenticeship, cohort, and learn-and-earn models to:
Whether you're an employer, educator, policymaker, or advocate, there are meaningful ways to support this transformative work.