Behavioral Health Workforce Development in the era of COVID-19: Examples From a State-Funded Intermediary...

Area of Science:

• Behavioral health services research
• Public health implementation science
• Health services administration

Background:

• Intermediary and purveyor organizations (IPOs) are crucial for disseminating evidence-based practices in behavioral health.
• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted traditional behavioral health care delivery.
• Adapting service delivery models was essential to maintain access to care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe how a state-funded intermediary organization adapted its training and technical assistance (TA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To illustrate the application of a technical assistance framework (basic, targeted, intensive) in a crisis.
• To highlight the integration of telehealth and COVID-19 specific content into behavioral health support.

Main Methods:

• Case study methodology was employed.
• The conceptual framework of basic, targeted, and intensive technical assistance was utilized.
• Programmatic adaptations at The Center for Practice Innovations were documented.

Main Results:

• The Center for Practice Innovations successfully transitioned all training and TA activities to a fully remote format.
• New content addressing COVID-19 impacts and telehealth-based behavioral health care was developed and disseminated.
• The organization provided guidance on implementing telehealth services to support continuity of care.

Conclusions:

• Intermediary organizations can effectively adapt service delivery models in response to public health crises.
• Remote delivery of training and technical assistance is feasible and can be enhanced with relevant content.
• Telehealth guidance is a critical component for maintaining behavioral health care access during disruptions.