Building the Workforce You Need—Now and for the Future
The behavioral health field is at a crossroads. Systems are strained, demand is soaring, and workforce shortages are at crisis levels. At AHP, we help organizations and systems respond with urgency and vision, designing solutions that grow the workforce from the inside out.
AHP’s Workforce Innovation Lab for Behavioral Health and Human Services (WIL) delivers strategic, sustainable, and scalable workforce development solutions for behavioral health and human services. Whether your organization needs to strengthen internal capacity, support your staff, or build talent pipelines across your state, we bring the experience and tools to make it happen.
For over 35 years, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) has helped public and private systems improve behavioral health, health care, and human services. We’ve led workforce development (WFD) efforts across state agencies, provider networks, and community organizations, translating bold goals into real results. From policy to practice, AHP helps build the teams that power transformation.
What We Deliver
Our approach combines big-picture strategy with operational know-how. We work across systems, within organizations, and directly with the workforce to deliver:
- Targeted talent pipelines that align with community needs;
- Accessible and representational recruitment strategies to reflect the populations served;
- Workplace wellness and culture improvements to boost retention;
- Leadership and supervision development to grow internal capacity; and
- System-wide change initiatives that embed and build sustainability.
Strengthening the Pipeline: How We Do It
- Use real-time data to inform strategies, measure impact, generate actionable recommendations, and drive policy
- Coordinate cross-sector partnerships to align education, training, and certification access
- Define career pathways from high school through post-graduate education—and across lived experience
- Build organizational resilience through culture, onboarding, supervision, and leadership development
- Integrate principles of access and representation into every aspect of WFD
Together, we can build a stronger, more stable behavioral health workforce—one that’s equipped for the moment and the future.
Project Spotlights
Behavioral Health Workforce Development (BHWD)—California
A This is a statewide initiative to expand and diversify the behavioral health workforce, with a focus on equity, infrastructure, and peer-based pathways.
BHWD Mentored Internship Program (MIP) Toolkit—California
AHP partnered with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to support 5,600+ paid interns across 166 organizations and developed a toolkit with actionable, evidence-based practices to grow and diversify the behavioral health workforce.
Oregon Behavioral Health Assessment
AHP collaborated with Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to develop a robust set of recommendations to build a pipeline and inform funding initiatives.
California Workforce Road Map
AHP designed a statewide strategy grounded in job-driven training, infrastructure analysis, and collaboration across educational institutions.
Massachusetts Access to Recovery
This program includes innovative job training and recovery supports for people with substance use disorders—integrating workforce goals with sustained recovery.
Massachusetts Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program
AHP helped build and train the behavioral health workforce for accountable care organizations, with a focus on new roles, competencies, and performance strategies.
Pierce County Behavioral Health Workforce Report—Washington
AHP led research and convenings to develop a regional action plan for workforce expansion, retention, and future readiness.
Learn More
- Explore the MIP Toolkit
- Discover our WIL
- See our workforce solutions in action
- Read about our Massachusetts DSRIP experience
About Us
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) creates powerful solutions to improve health and human services systems. By partnering with the federal government, states, municipalities, healthcare systems, and nonprofits, we help people experiencing the greatest disadvantages lead full and productive lives. We are national leaders in training and technical assistance, research and evaluation, publishing, and dedicated consulting. On issues from workforce development to mental health, substance use disorders to housing and homelessness, we help our clients enhance behavioral health care through systems change. AHP was founded nearly 40 years ago to develop solutions for some of the biggest social infrastructure challenges across the nation. Our company has offices in metro Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Tampa. Find out more at www.ahpnet.com.
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