LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network

ELEVATE Behavioral Health
Apprenticeship Network

Strengthening San Diego County’s behavioral health workforce through paid, earn-and-learn career pathways.

San Diego County faces a critical behavioral health workforce shortage that limits access to mental health and substance use services. To address this gap, the County launched the ELEVATE Behavioral Health Workforce Fund, supported by $75 million in Mental Health Services Act Innovation funding, to strengthen and sustain the workforce.

LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network, in partnership with San Diego/Imperial Counties Community Colleges Regional Consortium and San Diego Workforce Partnership, has established the ELEVATE Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network to connect employers and emerging professionals through registered apprenticeship pathways. Focused occupations include Certified Wellness Coach, Community Health Worker, Social and Human Services Assistant, and Substance Use Disorder Counselor.

About ELEVATE and the Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network

In 2022, the County of San Diego released the report Addressing San Diego’s Behavioral Health Worker Shortage, which called for urgent action to meet growing community needs. In alignment with this vision, the County allocated $75 million in Mental Health Services Act Innovation funding to support ELEVATE, a multi-pronged effort to develop and retain behavioral health talent.

The ELEVATE Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network is one of ELEVATE’s key strategies. Through this network, LAUNCH and regional partners work with employers to design and expand apprenticeship pathways that:

  • Prepare more residents for meaningful behavioral health careers
  • Support apprentices with paid, structured training and related instruction
  • Help employers fill persistent vacancies and improve retention

Employers

Behavioral health employers in San Diego country

The ELEVATE Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network supports behavioral health employers that are ready to use apprenticeship as a strategy for recruitment, training, and retention.

Through the network, employers can:

  • Address persistent labor shortages and hard-to-fill positions
  • Offset training costs with structured, earn-and-learn models
  • Align with regional partners who are building the talent pipeline

Apprenticeship can help you build a stronger workforce.

Complete our short employer survey to get connected to a LAUNCH representative.

Participants

Individuals interested in behavioral health careers

The Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network helps individuals become Substance Use Disorder Counselors, Case Managers, Community Health Workers, and other in-demand behavioral health professionals.

If you are interested in building a career that supports individuals, families, and communities, apprenticeship may be a good fit. Apprentices earn wages while gaining supervised experience, related instruction, and clear pathways to advancement.

If you would like to be notified about upcoming apprenticeship opportunities, please complete our interest form.

What is a Behavioral Health Apprenticeship

Earn while you learn in high-demand roles

Behavioral health apprenticeships combine paid work with structured training, coaching, and related instruction. Apprentices are hired into real roles with behavioral health employers and receive support as they build skills and work toward credentials.

A typical apprenticeship pathway:

  • Places an apprentice in a paid behavioral health position
  • Provides on-the-job training with experienced staff
  • Includes related instruction that can lead to certificates or other credentials
  • Offers mentoring and support to promote retention and long-term success

Initial Priority Occupations

Roles supported through ELEVATE Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network

ELEVATE funding is helping to build and expand apprenticeship pathways in priority behavioral health occupations. Initial focus areas include:

Case Manager

Supports individuals and families by coordinating services, monitoring progress, and connecting clients to community resources.

Community Health Worker

Works directly in communities to provide education, outreach, and support, often serving as a bridge between residents and health or social service systems.

Substance Use
Disorder Counselor

Provides counseling, education, and support for individuals experiencing substance use challenges, and participates as part of an interdisciplinary care team.

Additional occupations may be added over time as the Network grows and new pathways are approved.

Regional Partners

Working together to strengthen the behavioral health workforce

The ELEVATE Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network is a collaborative effort that brings together:

Get involved with the Network

Whether you are an employer exploring apprenticeship or an individual interested in a behavioral health career, the Network can help you connect to the right next step.

Employers: Tell us about your needs

To begin the conversation, complete our 5-minute employer survey. A LAUNCH representative will follow up to discuss how your organization can engage with the ELEVATE Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network.

Participants: Stay informed about opportunities

If you are interested in becoming a case manager, community health worker, Substance Use Disorder Counselor, or pursuing another behavioral health career, complete our participant interest form. We will notify you as apprenticeship opportunities become available through the Network.

Contact the LAUNCH Team

For general questions about the ELEVATE Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Network, please contact the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network team.

Contact Details

Natasha Cruz

Email: natasha@launchapprenticeship.org