Fighting Staff Shortages With Scholarships, California Bill Aims To Boost Mental Health Courts

A proposal to grant scholarships to mental health workers in California’s court-ordered treatment program has raised debate about the program’s prioritization over addressing the broader labor shortage in mental health services. Critics argue that limiting workforce development to one initiative will not solve staffing issues across the entire spectrum of behavioral health services. They are concerned about creating shortages in other areas by shifting mental health specialists into the program.