The need for behavioral health professionals with specialized skills has never been greater. BHCore has two strategies to grow the number, skills and diversity of the state’s behavioral health workers.
First: BHCore is recruiting talented students from underserved communities into the crisis outreach and response field. This includes bachelor- and masters-level candidates in social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling, emergency medical technicians and related disciplines. As part of this effort, we are expanding the of number emergency and mental health agencies willing to train a new generation of behavioral health professionals.
Second: BHCore is developing a statewide training program for mental health professionals who treat first responders with work-related trauma. The rates of behavioral health issues and suicide among first responders in our state is alarmingly high. BHCore is recruiting retired first responders and others equipped with the knowledge and experience to help train mental health professionals working with first responders.
2026 annual co-response conference slated for May 7 in Seattle
Our 2025 conference brought together 165 highly engaged first responders, experts in community-based crisis response, and state legislators dedicated to improving the delivery of behavioral health services. This year’s event features another exciting line up of leaders in the field of first response. Learn more and register today.