$250K state grant awarded to address behavioral health workforce shortage in southeast Pennsylvania
Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara September 24, 2026 | 1:31 PM
HARRISBURG, Sept. 24 – Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health has been awarded a $250,000 state grant to address a severe workforce shortage in the behavioral health field, according to state Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, chair of the House Democratic Caucus Southeast Delegation, and Lisa Borowski, delegation vice chair (both D-Delaware).
The grant was awarded for Devereaux’s ASCEND Career Accelerator program, which was launched in 2023 and has improved workforce recruitment and retention amidst growing demand for behavioral health services.
The behavioral health sector is seeing increased demand for services for people with autism spectrum disorder, mental health needs, and cognitive differences. The highly skilled professionals needed in the workforce include clinicians, nurses, teachers, and direct care professionals.
“This state funding will help address a critical need,” O’Mara said. “The ASCEND program has shown promising results, but sustaining this vital program requires financial support. The Southeast Delegation advocated for this grant, and I’m proud to be part of the effort to bring it back to southeast Pennsylvania.”
“Every family deserves to know that when a loved one needs behavioral health services, there will be skilled, caring people nearby to provide them,” Borowski said.
“That starts with making sure we’re supporting the people who choose these careers and giving them opportunities to grow.
“Devereux’s ASCEND program is proving that the best way to strengthen our behavioral health workforce is to invest in the people doing the real work. I was proud to support this funding, and I’m glad the state is with us in seeing the value of supporting missions like Devereux’s, helping them deliver high-quality care to people with critical mental health needs in our community.”
The grant was awarded through a program at the state Department of Human Services.
###