Research

At the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce, we conduct and support research that is stakeholder-informed and needs-driven. Our studies explore innovative strategies for workforce training, development, retention and well-being. We also evaluate the impact of state policies on our behavioral health workforce, with a focus on actionable insights and sustainable solutions. Explore related reports, briefs and findings on our Library page.

Center-Led Research

Non-Traditional Behavioral Health Workforce Needs Assessment in the Tampa Bay Region

Principal Investigator(s):
Kathleen Moore, PhD
T. Freeman Gerhardt, PhD

This mixed-method pilot evaluation focuses on the challenges and opportunities for non-traditional behavioral health providers such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, and hospital-based emergency departments in five Tampa Bay counties.

The evaluation includes:

• An environmental scan to identify and describe non-traditional behavioral health providers in the region including co-responder teams (e.g., law enforcement paired with clinicians), behavioral health-trained EMS personnel, and peer specialists embedded across systems of care.
• Key informant interviews and surveys will explore perceived workforce gaps, training needs, role clarity, interagency collaboration and opportunities for workforce development.
• A summary of preliminary recommendations to strengthen workforce capacity and retention, and service delivery in non-traditional behavioral health settings.

Findings will inform future planning and capacity building efforts to support Florida’s behavioral health workforce, particularly in high-stress and high-turnover environments.

Predictors of Workforce Retention and Intention to Leave

Principal Investigator(s):
Jacob Gray, PhD
Oliver “Tom” Massey, PhD

This survey study aims to identify the key predictors of workforce retention among Florida’s mental health professionals, including workplace, environmental and personal factors that predict a desire to leave their professions.

Social Work Licensure Pathway in Florida

Principal Investigator(s):
Roxann Taormina, PhD, MSW
Cathy Sowell, MSW, LCSW
Chris Simmons, PhD, LCSW

Florida is facing a critical workforce challenge: too many registered clinical social work interns are unable to pass the national exam required for independent practice. To better understand and address this barrier, the research team will engage key stakeholders in the licensure pipeline — Master of Social Work students, registered interns, licensed clinical social workers, program leaders and behavioral health agency partners — through a series of focus groups and interviews. These conversations will explore topics such as education and training, supervision, exam preparation and test-taking environments. Findings from the project will inform the development of targeted training and support tools designed to improve pass rates and reduce bottlenecks in Florida’s behavioral health workforce pipeline.

Supported Research Projects

Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Substance Use

Principal Investigator(s):
Oliver “Tom” Massey, PhD

The Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Substance Use (ITRE) develops and disseminates best practices in translational research on adolescent substance use. ITRE focuses on training scholars in translational research methods, policies and perspectives, and practical skills through a cross-disciplinary collaborative approach, with special attention to evidence-based practice, translational research and adolescents as an at-risk population.

Integrated Behavioral Health Care Workforce Study

Principal Investigator(s):
Linda M. Callejas, PhD
Chih-Chin Chou, PhD, CRC

This mixed-method study investigates the factors influencing behavioral health workforce development among clinicians receiving specialty Integrated Behavioral Health Care (IBHC) training at Florida universities.

Findings will inform the development of a conceptual model to guide workforce improvement strategies and provide recommendations for specialized training in clinical programs statewide. By clarifying how IBHC training programs can better support workforce retention and career advancement, this research aims to strengthen workforce sustainability, enhance training program effectiveness, and contribute to policy recommendations for strengthening and expanding IBHC training statewide.

Enhancing Addiction Training for Florida’s Behavioral Health Workforce

Principal Investigator(s):
Khary Rigg, PhD

Behavioral health providers often report receiving little to no formal training in the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). To address this knowledge gap, this project aims to: 1) Quantitatively assess the level and type of SUD-related knowledge, comfort with treating SUD, and attitudes toward persons with SUD; 2) Qualitatively explore the underlying reasons behind SUD knowledge gaps, low comfort levels in treating SUD, and negative attitudes toward persons with SUD; 3) Determine the extent to which training programs in Florida prepare clinical students in SUD diagnosis and treatment. Findings will generate valuable insights about where the largest knowledge gaps are related to SUDs and how best to modify behavioral health training programs to better meet the needs of Florida clinicians.

INSPIRE – Innovative Supervisory Practices

Principal Investigator(s):
Amy Vargo, PhD
Pam Hardy-Jones

The behavioral health workforce faces significant challenges related to turnover, burnout and inadequate supervisory support — issues that directly impact care continuity and access. This mixed-methods study aims to identify organizational and relational supports that promote clinician retention. Using the Job Demands–Resources framework, the investigators will survey behavioral health professionals across Florida to explore the relationship between support structures and intent to stay, utilizing latent class analysis. A subsample of 30 participants will engage in in-depth qualitative interviews, including story completion and visual elicitation techniques, to provide deeper insight into supervision, mentoring, peer support and interprofessional communication. Reflexive thematic analysis, using a framework matrix will be used to explore supervisory support experiences. Qualitative Comparative Analysis will be used to identify actionable, cross-case patterns. Findings will guide development of a scalable digital training module for supervisors, with the ultimate goal of strengthening workforce sustainability in Florida’s behavioral health system.