David Lawrence Centers receives $300,000 grant to pilot workforce onboarding program

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider serving children, adults and families, has received a $300,000 research grant from the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW) to develop and pilot an innovative onboarding program designed to strengthen workforce stability among behavioral health staff.

Established by the Florida Legislature in 2024, the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce was created to address the state’s growing need to build and sustain a strong behavioral health workforce. Through the two-year grant, DLC will collaborate with Florida Gulf Coast University researchers to develop BOOST (Behavioral Health Onboarding, Orientation, Support, and Training), a theory-informed onboarding model tailored specifically for behavioral health organizations.

“Behavioral health organizations continue to face significant workforce shortages and high turnover rates, particularly among direct care staff,” said Scott Burgess, CEO at David Lawrence Centers. “This partnership with FGCU and support from the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce allows us to develop an innovative, evidence-informed approach that better supports employees from day one, strengthening retention and ultimately enhancing quality of care.”

BOOST is designed to enhance newcomer support, improve role clarity, reduce burnout risk and strengthen early retention, contributing to a stronger behavioral health workforce. Based on evidence discovered through a comprehensive needs assessment, the program is intended to be replicable and scalable for use at organizations across the state and beyond. The project also includes the development of an AI-supported chat assistant that will provide real-time guidance, workflow support and escalation to human assistance when needed.

FGCU faculty collaborators include Chih-Chin Chou, school director of the Marieb College of Health & Human Services, and John Harding, adjunct faculty in the department of health sciences.

“Supporting behavioral health professionals is critical to ensuring individuals and families can access timely high-quality care,” said Kimberly Dye, vice president of advancement at DLC. “We are honored to partner with FGCU and grateful to the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce for investing in innovative solutions that strengthen and sustain the behavioral health workforce.”

The BOOST project is one of seven initiatives selected through a competitive, statewide grant process. Together, these projects represent a coordinated investment in workforce development, with a focus on expanding access to care, improving training and supporting behavioral health providers across Florida.

The seven funded projects span multiple sectors, including health care, schools, community-based organizations and specialty care settings. Each initiative addresses a distinct workforce need while contributing to a shared goal of building a skilled, prepared workforce capable of meeting the behavioral health needs of Floridians.

“FCBHW’s funded grant awards reflect a core principle: the most effective solutions to behavioral health workforce and training challenges are those shaped by the people closest to them,” said Courtney Whitt, PhD, executive director of the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce. “By partnering with stakeholders across education, practice and community systems, these projects are grounded in real-world needs and informed by frontline expertise.”

As the BOOST project progresses, FCBHW will monitor the outcomes, share findings and identify strategies that can be scaled across the state.