In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature asked for a state mental health workforce development plan to be created that would:

• Increase the number of mental health workers at all levels,
• Ensure appropriate education and training and
• Create a more culturally diverse mental health workforce.

HealthForce Minnesota was charged with leading the implementation of this legislation (Legislative Charge 2013 (SF 1236). A Steering Committee of mental health workforce stakeholders was formed, surveys were conducted and community meetings were held around the state to gather ideas.

Resources:

2015 Plan: Gearing Up for Action
Executive Summary
2015 Progress Report
2016 Progress Report

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Mental Health Workforce State Plan

That process culminated with a Mental Health Summit that resulted in the Mental Health Workforce State Plan presented to the legislature in January of 2015. The plan included 24 consensus based-recommendations. As of October 2016, 10 of the 24 recommendations were complete or in progress.

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Mental Health Legislative Charge

Legislative Charge SF1236: The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU) will convene a summit involving the Department of Human Services, MNSCU, U of M, private colleges, mental health professionals, special education representatives, child and adult mental health advocates and providers, and community mental health centers. The purpose will be:

• to develop a comprehensive plan to increase the number of qualified people working at all levels of our mental health system,
• ensure appropriate coursework and training and
• create a more culturally diverse mental health workforce.

The plan must be submitted to the legislature by January 15, 2015