Partner With the Hub
Help Build the Future Behavioral Health Workforce—Together.
Addressing the behavioral health workforce shortage requires collaboration, innovation, and sustained investment.
The Cook County Behavioral Health Apprenticeship and Retention Hub brings together employers, education and training institutions, workforce development organizations, government agencies, philanthropic partners, healthcare organizations, and community partners to strengthen the behavioral health workforce across Cook County.
Whether you're interested in funding new career pathways, supporting apprentices, launching innovative workforce initiatives, or exploring strategic partnerships, we'd welcome the opportunity to work together.
Why Partner With the Hub?
Your partnership helps expand access to meaningful careers while strengthening the behavioral health workforce that serves Cook County communities.
Together, we can:
Expand registered apprenticeship opportunities.
Increase access to behavioral health careers.
Support employer partners in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce.
Develop innovative workforce solutions.
Build new education and career pathways.
Strengthen the behavioral health workforce for the future.
Ways to Partner
Invest in Future Behavioral Health Professionals
A contribution of $7,500 sponsors one registered apprentice, helping support tuition, certification, mentoring, and the successful completion of a behavioral health apprenticeship.
Approximately $5,000 directly supports tuition, certification, and licensing expenses for apprentices, while also helping nonprofit employer partners provide mentorship and supervision throughout the 18- to 24-month apprenticeship.
Expand Career Pathways
Help launch the Hub's vision for a Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Our long-term goal is to secure $5 million to establish a sustainable pathway that enables existing behavioral health professionals to earn graduate degrees and become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) while continuing to work and earn income.
This innovative model will strengthen career advancement opportunities while helping employers address critical workforce shortages.
Collaborate on Innovative Workforce Solutions
We're always looking to partner with organizations interested in advancing behavioral health workforce development through:
Strategic partnerships
Philanthropic investments
Government grants and contracts
Workforce innovation initiatives
Education and training partnerships
Employer collaborations
If you have an idea or opportunity to work together, we'd love to start a conversation.
Our Partners
We are grateful to the organizations whose partnership and investment are helping strengthen the behavioral health workforce across Cook County.
Take the Next Step
Complete the Partner Interest Form and a member of the Cook County Behavioral Health Apprenticeship and Retention Hub team will contact you to discuss opportunities to partner.
Building the Future Behavioral Health Workforce—Together.
The Cook County Behavioral Health Apprenticeship and Retention Hub is an initiative of the Cook County Health Office of Behavioral Health.