Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) 2026-2030 Workforce Education and Training (WET) Plan
California’s BHSA 2026–2030 WET Plan funds education, training, and career development to strengthen and diversify the behavioral health workforce, focusing on critical shortages and equitable care.
Funder: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Public comment period deadline for WET Plan) | January 2027 (Application cycle opens) | March 2027 (Application cycle closes)
Funding Amounts: Ongoing, annual funding from BHSA (3% of total BHSA revenues); typical allocation by objective: 10–49% of annual funds per objective; award sizes and total available depend on annual revenues.
Summary: A five-year initiative to strengthen California’s behavioral health workforce through targeted education, training, and career development investments supporting county systems and priority populations.
Key Information: All dates are projected; confirm details on the program page as timelines may shift.
Description
The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) 2026–2030 Workforce Education and Training (WET) Plan is California’s statewide strategy for building, diversifying, and supporting the behavioral health workforce serving county behavioral health systems. Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and public review, the Plan guides investments in education, training, workforce expansion, and career development tailored to address critical shortages and skills gaps for both licensed and non-licensed professionals. It prioritizes the needs of individuals with significant behavioral health conditions, including those experiencing homelessness, justice involvement, or other vulnerabilities, and aims to ensure equitable, high-quality care across California’s diverse communities. The Plan also emphasizes workforce diversity, community engagement, and alignment with other major state behavioral health initiatives.
