Cambia Health Foundation announces $570,000 in grants to address regional behavioral health care workforce shortages

Investments reflect the Foundation’s strategy to expand access to behavioral health care among underserved communities

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 6, 2023) – The demand for behavioral health care has increased significantly in recent years, straining providers and making it difficult for people to access essential care. Cambia Health Foundation is investing $570,000 to address the behavioral health care workforce shortage by reducing gaps in behavioral health care access across its four-state footprint.  

“Our goal is to support the entire lifecycle of the behavioral health care workforce, from expanding and diversifying the pool of new providers to helping experienced providers avoid burnout,” said Peggy Maguire, president of Cambia Health Foundation. “The turnover rate in this field continues to rise, highlighting the need to create sustainable care practices. We believe that with a stronger workforce, our communities will be better equipped to address the ongoing mental health crisis.” 

These investments are part of the Foundation’s Health Care Workforce program, which focuses on expanding, diversifying, and training the workforce to reduce behavioral health workforce shortages in our region. This effort is part of a larger vision to advance equity through whole-person health across Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The Foundation partners with organizations that are addressing the root causes of provider shortages as well as creating innovative approaches that expand access to care within whole-person care models.  
 
Cambia Health Foundation is pleased to invest in the following organizations: 
The eight organizations receiving grants approach this complex issue in bold and distinct ways, with projects working toward one or more of the following solutions: 
  • Increasing access to behavioral health care for children 
  • Removing barriers for individuals seeking graduate-level education to join the behavioral health care field  
  • Supporting the creation of certificate-level educational programs for individuals to provide low-intensity interventions  
  • Creating an innovative employer-based program where community health workers provide onsite employee health and well-being  
  • Expanding behavioral health care access in rural and underserved communities 

About Cambia Health Foundation  
Cambia Health Foundation is the corporate foundation of Cambia Health Solutions. Founded in 2007, the foundation has funded over $110 million in grants to advance patient- and family-centered care for all. We purposefully invest in ideas that expand access to behavioral health care to advance equity through whole-person health.  

CONTACT     
For Cambia Health Foundation     
Monica Graham 
(360) 790-5188 
Monica.Graham@cambiahealth.com