Workforce Initiatives

Having a sufficient number of doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers and other health and professionals in all corners of the Commonwealth is critical to provide health services to Virginians. VHCF has a special focus on uninsured and those living in medically-underserved communities.

VHCF uses a multi-pronged approach to help increase the number of providers in Virginia’s medically underserved areas. VHCF has:

  • Awarded over $63 million in grant funding to health safety net organizations to hire medical, dental and behavioral health providers.
  • Awarded almost 80 scholarships for nurse practitioners to become behavioral health providers by completing a post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate.
  • Paid for licensure-required supervision for more than 300 people who have completed a Masters in Social Work or Counseling and are working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Workers, (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) through Boost 200+.
  • Provided the funding to attract more health, behavioral health and dental providers to Virginia, and serves as a partner with public and private entities in support of their programs to recruit and retain clinicians in key parts of Virginia (e.g., Virginia Department of Health, DentaQuest, Delta Dental Foundation of Virginia, United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund).

Health safety net practices receiving VHCF grants often serve as training sites for health professions students. More than 8,000 students have participated in clinical experiences as a result of VHCF funding.

The Foundation also helps Virginia colleges and universities initiate innovative approaches to training health and behavioral health professionals – from underwriting dental preceptorships at free clinics to funding a program that pairs psychology doctoral students with medical residents to provide behavioral health care integrated in a primary care clinic to supporting a program allowing Virginia colleges and universities to hire pre-licensed behavioral health clinicians to provide supervised counseling for students.

Last Updated on October 16, 2024

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