This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
LA County universities get $110 million to shore up mental health workforce
UCLA, Cal State University Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills announced Monday a collective $110 million investment from the Ballmer Group.
(
Robyn Beck
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
UCLA, Cal State University Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Monday announced a collective $110 million investment from the Ballmer Group to support the training of new mental health workers.
The details: Cal State Dominguez Hills says its $29 million gift is the largest in the university’s history. Most of the money awarded from the group founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will go toward scholarships of up to $18,000 a year for students studying in fields related to mental health. It’ll also help launch a new program that aims to train hundreds of mental health workers to focus on South L.A. neighborhoods.
Other Schools: UCLA announced it received a $33 million grant from the Ballmer Group and Cal State L.A. said it got $48 million to focus on youth mental health.
Why it matters: In a report published in January, the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information said all counties across the state are facing a shortage of non-prescribing licensed clinicians, with more than 55,000 needed to meet demand statewide.
What’s next: The universities said, collectively, the investment will support hundreds of behavioral health graduates over the next five years.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
