Enhancing and bolstering the behavioral health workforce is one of RIZE’s current strategic priorities. Through our workforce ecosystem portfolio, RIZE is helping to ensure that effective care, without stigma, is accessible to anyone who seeks services or treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) in Massachusetts. Since late 2021, RIZE has developed, administered, and begun to evaluate several multi-year grant initiatives to support and augment the behavioral health workforce with a focus on SUD treatment. 

With funding from RIZE, and infrastructure support for this apprentice program from Advocates for Human Potential, High Point will provide the educational components that are required for the licensure of level II alcohol and drug counselors (LADCII) by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services free of charge. The program will leverage the state’s regional behavioral health workforce investment hubs that are currently providing technical assistance with Commonwealth Corporation (with an earlier investment from RIZE), for recruitment of employers and potential apprentices.

Our partnership will add 100 LADC II professionals to the workforce statewide, meeting high demand for the role, and reducing financial barriers individuals face when seeking to enter this clinical career path in addiction treatment. The program will focus on selecting apprentices with low-incomes and those from underrepresented backgrounds. The apprentice program will provide paid, on the job experience for apprentices while they participate in the training at no cost. Apprentices will also receive competency-based wage increases and certification as part of the program.