Workforce Workgroup
The Workforce Workgroup is one of the standing workgroups of the NH Children's Behavioral Health Collaborative. It brings together providers, state agency staff, educators, family and youth representatives, and other partners to strengthen the children's behavioral health workforce in New Hampshire — the people who deliver prevention, treatment, and support services to children, youth, and families across the state.
A strong system of care depends on a stable, well-trained, and well-supported workforce. This workgroup focuses on the practical conditions that make that possible: how professionals are recruited, how they are trained and retained, how their roles are defined, and how the system can work together to address shortages and gaps.
What the Workforce Workgroup Does
The workgroup serves as a collaborative forum for identifying workforce challenges and advancing solutions. Its work typically includes:
- Identifying gaps and needs. Gathering input from providers, families, and youth to understand where workforce shortages, training gaps, or role confusion affect access to care.
- Supporting recruitment and retention. Exploring strategies that help organizations attract and keep qualified staff, including supervision, career pathways, and workplace supports.
- Promoting training and professional development. Connecting partners to training opportunities and supporting the development of competencies needed to serve children and families well.
- Aligning with system-of-care goals. Ensuring workforce efforts are coordinated with the broader priorities of the Children's System of Care and the Children's System of Care Advisory Council.
- Sharing information. Serving as a channel for updates, resources, and promising practices among workgroup members and the wider field.
Who Participates
The workgroup is intended to be cross-sector and inclusive. Participants may include:
- Community mental health centers and other behavioral health providers
- State agency representatives involved in children's behavioral health
- Family-run and youth-run organizations
- Educators and training partners
- Advocates and family and youth representatives
If your organization works with children, youth, and families in New Hampshire and has a stake in workforce issues, your perspective is valuable to this group.
Why Workforce Matters for New Hampshire Children and Families
Access to care depends on having enough qualified people in the right roles, in the right places. When workforce challenges arise — vacancies, turnover, limited training capacity, or unclear career pathways — families feel the impact through wait times, reduced service options, and disrupted relationships with providers.
By addressing workforce issues collaboratively, the workgroup aims to support a system where children and families can get consistent, high-quality care from professionals who are prepared and supported in their roles.
How to Get Involved
The Workforce Workgroup welcomes participation from partners across New Hampshire. To learn more or to express interest in joining:
- Review the Workgroups section of this site for general information about how workgroups operate.
- Use the Contact Us page to reach the Collaborative and ask about the Workforce Workgroup.
- Sign up for email updates to stay informed about meetings, resources, and opportunities.
Whether you are a provider, a state or community partner, a family member, or a young person with lived experience, your voice helps shape a stronger workforce for New Hampshire's children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Workforce Workgroup?
It is a collaborative group within the NH Children's Behavioral Health Collaborative that focuses on the people who deliver children's behavioral health services — supporting recruitment, retention, training, and the overall capacity of the workforce in New Hampshire.
Who can join?
Participation is open to partners who share an interest in children's behavioral health workforce issues, including providers, state agency staff, educators, advocates, and family and youth representatives. Contact the Collaborative to learn about current opportunities.
How often does the workgroup meet?
Meeting schedules are set by the workgroup and may change over time. Check the site or contact the Collaborative for the most current information.
Where can I find related resources?
Visit the Resources section for reports, briefs, webinars, and other materials, and the Grants and Partner Projects section for related initiatives.
I'm a family member or young person — is this group relevant to me?
Yes. Family and youth perspectives are essential to understanding how workforce issues affect real people and to shaping solutions that work. Your input is welcome.