Today, the California Department of Health (DHCS) announced that it will distribute $18 million in grants to help students ages 18 and older get hands-on experience in careers in behavioral health through a mentored internship program. . The Department also awarded her more than $4 million to 54 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) programs aimed at reducing opioid-related traffic deaths, supporting access to resources and referral options for treatment. Did.
“Tackling the opioid epidemic remains one of the administration’s top priorities,” said DHCS Director Michelle Bass. We are committed to monitoring and addressing opioid and fentanyl overdose trends and working closely with stakeholders to support local prevention and intervention efforts.”
Baass noted how the award will help recruit the next generation of behavioral health professionals to “fight the opioid crisis” and provide treatment and resources to those in need.
Get the latest state-specific policy intelligence for the healthcare sector delivered to your inbox.
The announcement comes on the heels of the department’s recent investment to tackle the opioid epidemic. and announced $52 million to providers of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services to support treatment.
Last December, DHCS also announced a $12 million investment to tackle youth opioid use.as a broader effort California MAT Expansion Projectwhich is focused on increasing access to MAT and reducing opioid-related overdose deaths.In addition, DHCS announces a $3.4 million investment to transform medical practice to address opioids. And last November, it announced that $58.5 million would be donated to community-based tribal organizations involved in youth drug use prevention.
of Mentored Internship Program Part of the DHCS Behavioral Workforce Development Initiative, grants for nonprofit provider organizations and county-run providers of behavioral health services in underserved and diverse communities to support internship programs be able to apply for
The goal of the internship program is to train behavioral health providers and professionals who specifically serve people with and at risk of opioid use disorder (OUD). To strengthen the capacity of behavioral health providers to effectively prevent, treat and support the recovery of individuals from OUD. We also better reflect the individuals in need of our services by offering behavioral health career opportunities to professionals with real-world experience.
Additional program goals include supporting behavioral health organizations by conducting internships in partnership with local educational institutions. It also enables behavioral health institutions to offer job openings to interns who have completed the program.
Organizations can apply for up to $500,000 to develop, implement, and maintain a mentored internship program that creates a sustainable substance use disorder workforce. DHCS will prioritize organizations that specifically offer training for professionals who work with individuals at risk or who have developed OUD. The deadline for applications for Round 2 of the grant is March 15.
Mentored Internship Program Established in 2022 in Response to Different California Behavioral Workforce Needs Assessments and Recommendations Demonstrated Shortage of Professionals Across Behavioral Health Careers it was done. This program is funded by the Opioid Reconciliation Fund.
funds for DUI Medication Assisted Treatment Integration and Outreach Pilot Project distributed from 1st February to 30th June 2024, State opioid response III.
About 118,000 people who drive under the influence of DUI enroll in the DUI program each year, according to DHCS, and the majority of DUI arrests and convictions are still based solely on the influence of alcohol. This pilot project provides outreach and intervention services to participants with an underlying Her OUD or SUD and is part of DHCS’ Her MAT Extension Project.
