We are honored to share that Behavioral Health Network has received the 2025 Workforce Development Leadership Award from the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board at their annual meeting on June 5th.

This recognition highlights a project created in response to a growing workforce crisis in behavioral health. Rising demand for mental health and substance use services - especially in rural areas - has outpaced the supply of trained professionals, leaving too many without timely access to care.

Recognizing this, MassHire Franklin Hampshire County partnered with Greenfield Community College (GCC) and the Commonwealth Corporation Healthcare Hub grant to develop a solution: a paid Behavioral Health Associate training program. The program was designed not only to provide essential training, but also to remove a key barrier for participants - income.

Too often, individuals eager to join the field are forced to choose between training and earning a paycheck. MassHire and GCC went looking for a behavioral health provider that would be willing to invest differently- and they found it with BHN. BHN committed to hiring trainees upfront and paying them during their 7-week training, giving them financial stability while preparing them for meaningful, long-term careers.

The results have been a powerful success with well-prepared team members, stronger job retention, and a model that’s inspiring other employers to follow suit.

We are incredibly grateful to MassHire and Greenfield Community College for engaging us in this exciting pilot and for their partnership and dedication to building creative, community-rooted workforce solutions. This award reflects what’s possible when organizations come together to address a crisis with innovation, compassion, and bold action.

Interested in making a difference? Join our team and be part of a mission-driven organization investing in its people and community. View all openings and apply at bhnworks.org.