HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 54

RECOGNIZING THE GROWING NEED FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS AND REQUESTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GROWING OUR WORKFORCE.

WHEREAS, behavioral health services are needed now more than ever in our state and across our nation; and

WHEREAS, studies by NAMI and the CDC have shown an increase in mental illnesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic further increasing our need for additional behavioral health resources; and

WHEREAS, Delaware wants to be a model for behavioral health care services and has done so by establishing standards for minimum ratios of behavioral health staff to students; and

WHEREAS, however the data shows that we currently are not training enough people each year to fill these positions with only 400 students graduating each year from behavioral health fields; and

WHEREAS, that will leave us behind the goals we have set for our state and we must focus on building a greater pipeline into this critical field; and

WHEREAS, without an integrated plan Delaware will continue to lose talent to surrounding states.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the 151 ^st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, recognizes that the State is in critical need of behavioral health professionals and must create innovative opportunities for students interested in pursuing these careers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly requests the Department of Education, its Office of Higher Education, State institutions of higher learning, and Vo-Tech schools work together to create recommendations focusing on the promotion of behavioral health career pathways.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the recommendations be submitted by December 31st, 2022, and provided to the Chairs of the House and Senate Education Committees, the Governor, the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Senate.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution recognizes the need for more behavioral health professionals in Delaware and requests the Department of Education to develop recommendations that would improve the current educational opportunities in Delaware for students interested in behavioral health careers.