Partners

The Behavioral Health Workforce Center is funded by the Division of Mental Health at the Illinois Department of Human Services and administered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and in partnership with the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Using a hub and spoke model, the BHWC is physically structured with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU SOM) contracted as the primary hub and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) contracted as the secondary hub. While each hub provides specific functions for the BHWC, the lead hubs work closely and collaboratively together.

The BHWC will coordinate with key state agencies involved in behavioral health, workforce development, and higher education to tap into diverse resources from health care, workforce, and economic development programs in Illinois government. These agencies will, at a minimum, include the state agencies, mental health providers, educational institutions (colleges, universities, K-12), workforce investment boards and other community-based organizations.