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Union witnesses urge more funding, apprenticeships to address Oregon behavioral health workforce shortfalls
Summary
Union and frontline workers told the Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Feb. 6 that Oregon faces large workforce gaps in behavioral health and urged expansion of apprenticeships, loan relief and higher pay; they cited House Bill 4002 funding and apprenticeship targets.
Union representatives and frontline behavioral health workers told the Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health on Feb. 6 that Oregon is facing a workforce crisis in behavioral health and urged lawmakers to expand apprenticeships, increase wages and fund retention programs.
Lamar Wise, pool director for Oregon AFSCME, said the union represents about 39,000 workers statewide and that behavioral health employers report large percentage gaps in key positions: "We are facing a crisis in behavioral health," Wise said. He cited a roughly 41% gap in certified alcohol and drug counselors, an 86% gap in qualified mental health associates and reports of a 93% gap in some agencies for qualified mental health professionals.
Witnesses said…
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