Through collaboration and data and equity-driven strategies, the strategic plan outlines a collaborative roadmap to expand, diversify and strengthen Illinois’s behavioral health workforce.
Strengthen and expand behavioral health curriculum and clinical training experiences.
Strengthen educational advancement across systems.
Build and utilize evidence to develop policy recommendations.
Strengthen pre-career programs and awareness.
Address financial barriers to behavioral health education and workforce entry.
Support and retain the incumbent workforce in providing high quality care.
Explore data and reports published by the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center, including biennial legislative reports showcasing the Center’s impact, Illinois behavioral health workforce reports, and other survey and evaluation findings developed by the BHWC.
The interactive dashboard provides a clear picture of behavioral health workforce needs across Illinois. Using data from ICB, IDFPR and IBHE, this tool helps communities, organizations and policymakers better understand provider shortages and guide efforts to strengthen the workforce statewide.
As demand for mental health and substance use services continues to grow, Illinois faces ongoing workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. The Fiscal Year 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, sets clear priorities to address those challenges.