Our Priorities: Building Our Workforce

Building a sustainable behavioral health workforce to support our youth.

Workforce Development is one of SLO County CYBHI’s core priorities—ensuring our districts and schools build and sustain a diverse, well-trained behavioral health workforce to meet growing demand. This includes expanding school-based mental health teams, supporting student career pathways, and improving training, recruitment, and retention across the county.

Why it matters

When students have access to trusted, culturally competent mental health professionals at school, they are healthier, more supported, and better prepared to learn and thrive.

Areas of Focus for Local Workforce Development:

Recruitment and retention of mental health professionals

Expansion of school-based behavioral health roles

Building a workforce that reflects the backgrounds and needs of the communities we serve

Training and career pathways for youth

How We’re Addressing Local Needs and Challenges:

  • Reducing student-to-counselor ratios

  • Increasing bilingual and culturally competent staff

  • Creating supportive work environments for retention

Current Initiatives & Programs

Certified Wellness Coaches

<p>Several SLO County districts were awarded funds by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) as part of the Certified Wellness Coach Employer Support Grant. These funds will allow the districts to hire staff in the 25-26 school year to support prevention and early intervention.</p>