United We Heal

The United We Heal (UWH) Training Trust brings together AFSCME members and non-members who work in healthcare professions with behavioral health employers to collectively develop robust, industry-specific training opportunities that are responsive to the needs of clients, workers, and employers. By providing high quality apprenticeships, UWH offers employees the training they need. Employers will be able to attract and retain a more skilled and diverse workforce, and Oregon will be better equipped to respond to the ongoing behavioral health crisis in our state. Client outcomes depend on continuity of care and workforce professional development. For too long, behavioral health workforce development has not received the attention and resources necessary to make this sector sustainable- Employers struggle to hire and retain a skilled, experienced workforce and that high turnover leads to wasted resources on hiring and training- Paths for professional advancement are difficult to pursue- The inability to advance professionally and economically contributes to burnout and high turnover. The Trust is developing professional advancement programs that- Give workers opportunities for personal, professional development - Give employers the ability to better address workforce shortages, and - Give clients more continuity of care from more highly trained staff