HMA Solutions
Solutions for behavioral health workforce shortages
Growing demand and need for BH services is outpacing workforce capacity nationally.
In 2024, 43 of the 44 states responding to an NRI survey reported a behavioral health workforce shortage[1]. States, Health Plans and Provider Associations are all struggling with how to manage the problem.
A standardized approach to assessing BH workforce shortages can help states and organizations better design sustainable workforce solutions, especially considering challenges federal funding changes and the need for diverse care needs across rural and urban areas across the US. Recommendations are grounded in lived experience, policy fluency, and practical feasibility.
[1] Source: https://www.nri-inc.org/media/tghpz5uu/smha-workforce-shortages-2023.pdf
Design and Implementation
Support infrastructure and policy alignment grounded in community partnerships
Expert Analysis
Interpret data using specialized tools, knowledge, experience, and context
Strategic Planning
Define goals, align resources, and guide decisions
A Standardized Approach
HMA’s framework helps states, health plans, and provider associations and organizations design sustainable workforce solutions, especially considering challenges like the need for diverse care needs and regionally appropriate strategies. Our work delivers measurable, generalizable, lasting improvements, and provides a window into obvious partnership opportunities for workforce development projects in both rural and urban communities. The recommendations are grounded in lived experience, policy fluency, and practical feasibility.
Our Services
With a deep understanding of current and emerging shifts in care and policy, our BH workforce consultants are well equipped to provide support and implementation of workforce initiatives across a variety of content areas over a flexible duration.
Rapid Deployment of Existing Strategies
Preparation & Education
Evaluation & Analysis
Implementation & Support
Strategic Assessment
Regulatory & Policy Consulting
Proven Results
HMA has worked on national projects aimed at resolving workforce shortages. HMA is a founding member of the Workforce Solutions Partnership, a collaboration among the College for Behavioral Health Leadership and the National Council for Mental Health Wellbeing. HMA has a national lens on the behavioral health workforce experiences and has worked with clients to identify pathways to strengthen and diversify the workforce in ways that are equitable, sustainable, and community informed. Our established services ensure that we translate insights from our methods into actionable and meaningful recommendations for workforce development.
HMA Differentiators
Many of our team members are former executives and clinical leaders from the BH workforce sector, including doctors, policy experts, social workers and administrative leaders from health plans, health systems, community-based organizations, FQHCs, and government agencies at the local, state and national levels. Our clinicians bring decades of experience leading BH care in inpatient, outpatient and emergency department settings.
OUR EXPERTISE
HMA subject matter experts with national BH workforce experience analyze existing data—such as strategic plans, funding streams, licensing, and workforce initiatives—to identify policy gaps, infrastructure readiness, and innovative care models.
With a deep understanding of current and emerging shifts in care and policy, our BH Workforce consultants are well equipped to provide specialized services.
Contact our experts:
Lisa Braude
Principal
Paul Fleissner
Senior Principal
Allie Franklin
Managing Director
