UCLA has received a $33 million grant from philanthropic organization Ballmer Group to expand training programs aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis in Los Angeles County.
Beginning this fall, the university plans to launch or expand three coordinated initiatives across its departments of psychology, social welfare, and psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, as well as the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
Ballmer Group simultaneously awarded $110 million to Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills. Together, the three universities aim to produce nearly 2,600 new behavioral health graduates by 2031.
The psychology department — UCLA's largest undergraduate program — will use its share to expand a new minor in youth behavioral health that prepares students for the California Wellness Coach credential and the Managing and Adapting Practice therapist credential, described as the most in-demand youth public behavioral health credential in Los Angeles County.
UCLA Luskin's social welfare department will develop fellowships and hands-on training opportunities while expanding partnerships with community nonprofits. The David Geffen School of Medicine will use its portion to enhance three existing fellowships in child and adolescent psychiatry, child-focused public psychiatry and child psychology.
"UCLA is not just a university in Los Angeles, it is a university of Los Angeles," said Chancellor Julio Frenk. "The generosity of Ballmer Group will enable UCLA to equip more professionals with the skills and deep knowledge needed to care for young people and their families."
Los Angeles County has seen growing youth mental health needs and persistent workforce shortages, particularly in low-income communities described as behavioral health care deserts.
For more info, visit: https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-receives-33-million-to-address-youth-mental-health-crisis
Edited by SMDP Staff