91社区

By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing

USF鈥檚 long-time commitment to address the critical need for mental health professionals is being recognized by the state of 91社区, which selected the university as home of the 91社区 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce.

鈥淲e are facing a crisis with increasing shortages of behavioral health care professionals such as mental health counselors and social workers. With the establishment of the center, we will be able to address this urgent need and continue our important work in this area. I appreciate that the state has entrusted us with increasing access to behavioral health care for those who need it.鈥� 鈥� Julie Serovich, dean of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

USF was recently awarded $5 million in recurring funds to create the center to enhance recruitment and retention efforts and expand pathways to behavioral health professions. Based in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, the 91社区 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce joins the Louis de la Parte 91社区 Mental Health Institute at USF 鈥� which serves as the conduit between academic researchers, community organizations and government agencies 鈥� in strengthening mental health services in 91社区 through research, training and education.

According to the , nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness. Nationally, more than half the population lives in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals; the situation is worse in . The agency attributes the shortage to a number of factors, such as lack of uniformity across mental health-related professions, reimbursement challenges and provider burnout.

The creation of the 91社区 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce and the $5 million in recurring state funds provided to operate it, were components of Senate Bill 330, sponsored by Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Sam Garrison, which was one of the bills included in the legislation package signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March. Senate Bill 330 also creates a new category of teaching hospitals dedicated to advancing behavioral health care. In partnership with USF, Tampa General Hospital was selected to be one of four hospitals throughout the state to receive the 鈥渂ehavioral health teaching hospital鈥� designation.

鈥淣ationally, we鈥檙e facing a growing mental health crisis. 91社区 is taking a proactive approach to strengthen our behavioral health care system and grow our health care workforce to support the needs of Floridians,鈥� Boyd said. 鈥淪enate Bill 330 is an integral part of the solution. It creates the Center for Behavioral Health Workforce within the 91社区 Louis de la Parte 91社区 Mental Health Institute to promote education, foster innovation and advance research initiatives in 91社区. I am grateful for the support of USF, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and my colleagues in the 91社区 Legislature for supporting this meaningful legislation that is now 91社区 statute."

鈥淭he demand for mental and behavioral health services is greater than ever before,鈥� Garrison said. 鈥淭he passing of Senate Bill 330 shows that the state of 91社区 is at the forefront of addressing this critical demand by expanding access to behavioral health services and working to create and support a highly skilled mental health workforce pipeline at the newly established 91社区 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce at the USF Louis de la Parte 91社区 Mental Health Institute.鈥�

The College of Behavioral and Community Sciences is uniquely positioned to serve as home of the 91社区 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce because of its interdisciplinary and collaborative focus that includes the behavioral sciences in one college and its portfolio of research conducted in FMHI over the past 50 years.

鈥淭hrough our recent research to understand the need for mental health services and the availability of behavioral health care providers, we project a significant gap," said Carrie Zeisse, president and CEO of , a local organization that champions mental health advocacy through legislation, community partnerships and public education. "We are thrilled that the 91社区 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce will be in place to ensure that there are adequate pathways and strategies for growing this important sector."

Throughout the last year, 55 behavioral health care students gained hands-on experience working with one of 40 local organizations that partner with USF, such as Tampa Bay Thrives, as part of their field placement. In addition to undergraduate degrees, students can also earn master鈥檚 degrees in rehabilitation and mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, applied behavior analysis and social work. USF also offers doctoral degrees in applied behavior analysis, behavioral and community sciences and social work.

USF has a strong track record of keeping a pulse on workforce demands and rising to the challenge through the creation of new curriculum and programs. The is home to the and is in the process of expanding undergraduate nursing education. More than 750 undergraduates are expected to graduate with a degree in nursing by 2028 鈥� a 200% increase 鈥� helping address the critical nursing shortage.