ORANGE, Calif. (November 13, 2024) — To better support members experiencing mental health challenges, CalOptima Health has awarded $5.1 million in grant funding to increase the behavioral health workforce as part of our ongoing Provider Workforce Development Initiative.
Six organizations will receive funding to help address critical behavioral health workforce shortages, enhance training and education opportunities, and ultimately improve access to essential mental health and substance use disorder services for CalOptima Health members. The grantees include:
- Child Guidance Center Inc.
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County
- John Henry Foundation
- Seneca Family of Agencies
- Special Service for Groups Inc.
- Western Youth Services
“CalOptima Health’s commitment to investing in Orange County’s health care workforce development continues with this funding focused on behavioral health,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health. “These grants not only address the urgent need for more behavioral health professionals but also help strengthen the community-based organizations working tirelessly to provide our diverse and growing Medi-Cal population with compassionate, high-quality care.”
This funding builds on the initial $24.6 million CalOptima Health awarded in April 2024 as part of a larger five-year, $50 million Provider Workforce Development Initiative aimed at enhancing the health care workforce across Orange County. The initiative is focused on increasing access to care by supporting the recruitment, training and retention of qualified health professionals. With the distribution of the remaining $20.3 million still ahead, CalOptima Health will consider areas of greatest need to ensure equitable and accessible health care for our diverse membership.