Less than a year after being created by the Florida Legislature, the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW) is awarding its first round of research grants aimed at identifying and addressing urgent gaps in the state’s mental health systems.

This initial round of funding leverages the deep research expertise within the University of South Florida (USF) College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, where FCBHW is housed, to build early momentum and generate practical insights. While these early investments are rooted at USF, they reflect statewide priorities and lay the groundwork for future funding opportunities that will include a broader network of academic and community partners.

"This is just the first step," said Oliver “Tom” Massey, PhD, interim director of research for FCBHW. "We want to spark innovation statewide. Our goal is to support research that delivers practical, applied solutions that help develop and sustain a skilled and effective behavioral health workforce for the state of Florida."

Selected through a competitive intramural process, the three research projects align with FCBHW’s mission to grow, retain and innovate the state’s workforce. Each study tackles a pressing issue shaping the future of care in Florida.

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Enhancing Addiction Training Statewide

Khary Rigg, PhD, a professor in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy at USF, has studied substance use for more than 20 years and authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications.

His project, Enhancing Addiction Training for Florida’s Behavioral Health Workforce, will evaluate how well behavioral health professionals in Florida are prepared to treat substance use disorders (SUDs). The study will assess provider knowledge, comfort level, and attitudes toward SUD treatment; explore the underlying reasons behind those findings; and identify training gaps that can be addressed to better serve Florida clinicians and patients.

"Florida’s overdose deaths hit an all-time high during the pandemic,” said Rigg. “It’s a huge public health issue, yet in many behavioral health programs addiction training is still seen as an elective rather than a core competency. My goal is to produce statewide data that can be used to modernize and strengthen addiction training from diagnosis to treatment."

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Improving Retention Through Supervisor Training

Amy Vargo, PhD, an applied anthropologist and research assistant professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies, and Pam Hardy-Jones, program director for the Just-In-Time Training Network within CBCS, are drawing on their combined 55 years of experience in behavioral health and child welfare to lead INSPIRE: Innovative Supervisory Practices for Improving Retention & Engagement.

The study examines how employment supervisors — those responsible for day-to-day oversight and team management — affect clinician well-being, burnout and long-term retention. Findings will shape a digital training module focused on evidence-based strategies to improve supervisory support and reduce turnover.

"Many supervisors were promoted from the front lines because they excelled, but they were never taught to lead," said Hardy-Jones. "You can’t expect people to do a good job if you don’t train them to do so."

"We’re losing professionals because they aren’t receiving the support they need to thrive," said Vargo. "By developing a training module rooted in evidence and lived experience, we can equip supervisors with the skills and tools they need to better support their teams."

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Understanding Integrated Care Career Pathways

Linda M. Callejas, PhD, an applied anthropologist and associate research professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies, and Chih-Chin Chou, PhD, CRC, an associate professor and director of the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program, are co-leading a mixed-methods study to explore the Factors Influencing Entry, Retention, and Advancement of the Behavioral Health Workforce Trained to Work in Integrated Care Settings.

This study will examine the career paths of behavioral health professionals who received specialized Integrated Behavioral Health Care training at Florida universities. By capturing the perspectives of trainees, graduates and providers, the research aims to uncover the barriers and supports shaping their workforce experiences.

Findings will inform a conceptual model and generate recommendations to improve training programs, support sustainable career pathways, and expand access to behavioral health services — especially in underserved communities where integrated care plays a key role in reducing stigma and improving access.

"Integrated care brings behavioral health services into primary care settings, making support more accessible and less intimidating," said Callejas. "When care is offered where people already go, we can reach more Floridians who might otherwise not seek help."

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These inaugural projects reflect FCBHW’s focus on applied, solution-oriented research designed to inform workforce education, policy and system design. Plans are underway to expand future funding opportunities to include researchers and academic-community partnerships across Florida.

As Florida continues to face rising demand and persistent workforce shortages, FCBHW aims to be a catalyst for collaboration, innovation and long-term change.

"This is how we build lasting change," said Courtney Whitt, PhD, executive director of FCBHW, "by grounding our work in data, investing in innovation and building partnerships across the state. We are committed to ensuring every Floridian can access the behavioral health care they need — no matter who they are or where they live."