Mission & History

Mission

The Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce stands in service to the state to grow, retain and innovate Florida’s behavioral health workforce through research, education, policy and collaboration. We were created to ensure all Floridians have access to high-quality and timely behavioral health services by strengthening the workforce that provides them.

Vision

To build a future where every Floridian has access to high quality, compassionate behavioral health services and supports — regardless of who they are or where they live.

Values

Community-grounded and data-driven — Guided by Floridians and informed by data
Centering initiatives in the needs, perspectives, and expertise of Florida communities while leveraging evidence and metrics to guide priorities and recommendations.

Sustainable, real-world solutions — Built for real-world use and long-term impact
Recommending strategies that work in real-world settings and can be sustained over time by leveraging and amplifying existing assets, strengths, and expertise across Florida’s behavioral health system.

Innovation and adaptation —Advancing new ideas that evolve with Florida
Promoting new ideas and adaptive responses that support a modern behavioral health workforce ready to meet Florida’s evolving needs.

Collaboration — Progress through partnership
Working collectively with partners across agencies, communities, professions, and systems to advance shared goals and strengthen Florida’s behavioral health workforce.

Access and quality — Accessing quality care begins with a strong workforce
Anchoring all efforts in the mission of ensuring every Floridian can access timely, effective, and high-quality behavioral health services and supports.

History

Established by the Florida Legislature in 2024 through Senate Bill 330, the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW) was created in response to the state’s growing mental health and substance use care crisis. With a critical shortage of behavioral health professionals and an urgent need for a coordinated workforce strategy, the University of South Florida’s College of Behavioral and Community Sciences was selected to lead this statewide initiative.

The center officially launched in July 2024 and began building a strong foundation. In October 2024, Dr. Courtney Whitt was appointed as FCBHW’s first executive director. Under her leadership, the center started recruiting a team, consulting with national behavioral health workforce organizations, and engaging stakeholders across Florida to help shape its strategic direction.

In the first year, FCBHW established three core areas of focus: research and dissemination, education and professional development, and policy analysis and implementation. The center also completed a comprehensive analysis of Florida’s behavioral health workforce, identifying workforce capacity and gaps and opportunities by geography and profession.

From the outset, FCBHW has prioritized a collaborative and data-driven approach. The center continues to work across sectors to ensure its strategies are responsive to workforce needs and grounded in real-world application.