Modesto, Calif.; June 27, 2024 – HealthForce Partners, a healthcare sector partnership for the Northern San Joaquin Valley, is pleased to announce the Modesto City Council's approval of a $500,000 investment to introduce a Behavioral Health Workforce Partnership program in Stanislaus County. The funding, sourced from the American Rescue Plan Act Funds, is set to be utilized over the next two and a half years to directly benefit Modesto residents.

"This grant represents a pivotal step in replicating our successful program in a new county, leveraging our proven strategy for a new initiative," said Paul Lanning, Executive Director of HealthForce Partners. "With this initial investment by the City of Modesto, we hope to launch an impactful, sustainable program that will attract other support, helping more students achieve their degrees and enter the workforce as behavioral health clinicians. This is essential in addressing the urgent need for more mental health professionals to serve Modesto and Stanislaus County."

Sue Zwahlen, Mayor of Modesto added, "Investing in the HealthForce Partners’ Behavioral Health Workforce Partnership Project in our region will be critical in addressing the mental health needs of our community. This initiative not only supports our residents in gaining valuable education and career opportunities, but it also ensures that Modesto has the skilled professionals necessary to provide essential services. We are proud to support this collaboration and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our city."

This initiative will implement targeted strategies to enhance the local availability of behavioral health clinicians, including investments in scholarships for master’s-level students from Modesto and Stanislaus County pursuing their degrees at Stanislaus State and University of the Pacific, as well as partnering with local agencies to provide clinical placements and supervision of students completing their internship hours required for licensure. All beneficiaries of the program must be local residents seeking to serve their own community in Modesto and Stanislaus County.

With the approval of this grant agreement, HealthForce Partners and the City of Modesto are taking an important step forward in workforce development, aiming to transform healthcare education and expand career opportunities for local residents.

About HealthForce Partners Northern San Joaquin Valley

HealthForce Partners brings together top executives and operational leaders from healthcare, education, and workforce development to craft innovative programs and systems change strategies that address the staffing priorities of employers and expand career opportunities for community residents in the North San Joaquin Valley region, including the counties of San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced. By facilitating collaborative planning, the Partnership is changing the way healthcare employers, educational institutions, and workforce development agencies work together. To learn more visit www.healthforcepartners.net