Cenla MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

The Challenge

Over 50 million people in the U.S. — about 1 in 7 — experience mental illness, yet there is only one (1) mental health provider for every 350 individuals. HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce reports that Louisiana has 171 Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (Mental HPSAs), including 34 designated HPSA Agencies found in Central Louisiana, The Rapides Foundation’s nine-parish service area.

Despite earning advanced degrees, 57% of master’s-level graduates never achieve licensure due to financial, regulatory, and time barriers, disproportionately impacting underrepresented groups (Motivohealth’s Whitepaper by Rachel McCrickard).

The Solution

The Cenla Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program funded by The Rapides Foundation and in consultation with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, will help bridge the gap between degrees and licensure by providing:

• Salary Support to the agency up to $40,000 per candidate for 30 Social Workers and/or Counselors obtaining licensure.
• Supervision support for clinical licensure as needed.
• Access to licensing exam study resources, licensure application reimbursement, and LPC/LCSW mentors.
• Clinical roles in community settings in Central Louisiana parishes: Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Catahoula, LaSalle, Rapides, Avoyelles, Vernon, and Allen parishes

By reducing barriers, we will increase the number of fully licensed professionals in Central Louisiana by 2029!

Program Goals

1. Increase the percentage of master’s degree social workers and counselors who become licensed and practice in Central Louisiana.
2. Increase the number of patients served by master’s level social workers and counselors in Central Louisiana.

LMSW & PLPCs Get Involved

• Goal: support licensure obtainment for 30 Licensed Clinical Social Workers and/or Licensed Professional Counselors working in Central Louisiana, by June 2029.
• Timeline: Our first Post Master’s Cohort begins in January of 2026. The next two cohorts begin in June 2026 and June 2027 respectively.
• Funding support: resources such as licensure exam test prep & exam fees, supervision if not provided in the agency, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Submit an application for consideration.

Participating Sites

Mental health organizations across Central Louisiana can apply to host candidates for January 2026 or future cohorts which will be announced at a later date.

Participating sites employ full-time program candidates who hold a master’s degree and are pursuing clinical licensure in counseling or social work. These positions can be newly created or fill existing vacancies, enabling candidates to gain the necessary clinical experience while serving communities in need.

• Funding Support: Sites receive direct funding to offset portions of salary
• Enhanced Workforce Capacity: Candidates are supported through resources, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Site application link

Why it Matters

The Bureau of Health Workforce, HRSA reported that nearly 1-in-5 Louisiana adults with symptoms of anxiety or depression reported needing mental health treatment in the last month but not receiving it. The groups that are at the highest risk for unmet need are the uninsured, underinsured, and/or people of color.