Workforce Solutions Jam | Understanding Interstate Licensure and Its Impact on the Behavioral Health Workforce
Unlocking Opportunities for Expanded Workforce Mobility and Enhanced Access to Care
This webinar was hosted as a partnership between the College for Behavioral Health Leadership (CBHL), The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and Health Management Associates (HMA).
Interstate licensure compacts offer an opportunity to address long-standing and emerging challenges for the behavioral health workforce such as expanding access, addressing rural and regional gaps in care, opening flexibility for providers, and potentially offering value in times of regional disaster and emergency response efforts. As provider shortages persist and the mental health crisis deepens, understanding these cross-state practice opportunities has become essential for the future of behavioral healthcare.
Watch this recording for an in-depth exploration of how interstate compacts present an opportunity for behavioral health workforce expansion and mobility. Our expert panel shared frontline insights on implementation strategies, regulatory considerations, and emerging opportunities.
Key highlights:
- Understand the current landscape of key behavioral health interstate licensure compacts and reciprocity agreements
- Explore implementation challenges and success stories from states with existing interstate licensure agreements
- Discover future trends and anticipated developments in interstate practice
Speaker Information
Janet Orwig, MBA, CAE, has led the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) as its executive director since 2015. In her position, she supports the Compact’s governing body, the PSYPACT Commission. Janet manages the day-to-day operations of PSYPACT, including implementing compact and regulatory compliance. She plays an integral part in developing new services and programs, securing and managing large government grants, and furthering stakeholder relations. Her 29-year career in association management includes experience in customer service, communications, public relations, advocacy, strategic planning and implementation, leadership development, and project and program management. Janet earned her Paralegal Certificate and undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix. She is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
Greg Searls is the Executive Director of the Counseling Compact Commission. He is a licensed funeral service practitioner in Wyoming, beginning his regulatory career in 2010 when appointed by the Governor to the Board of Funeral Service Practitioners. In 2016, he transitioned to an Executive Director role within the Wyoming Professional Licensing Board office.
Throughout his tenure, Greg has served as the Executive Director for various boards, including the Mental Health Professions Licensing Board, Board of Registration in Podiatry, Board of Midwifery, Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, Board of Athletic Trainers, and Board of Occupational Therapy. During his leadership, Wyoming enacted statutes to join the ASLP-IC, Occupational Therapy Compact, and Counseling Compact. He initially served as the ex-officio representative to the Counseling Compact Commission for AASCB until Wyoming joined the compact, at which point he was appointed commissioner.
Jeff Shumway, Director, Office of Professional Licensure Review, Utah Department of Commerce
Jeff Shumway helped launch the Office of Professional Licensure Review in July 2022. Prior to accepting that role, Jeff worked with The Bridgespan Group and Social Finance where he advised major nonprofits, philanthropies, and government agencies. As director of the Office of Professional Licensure Review, Jeff leads a team of employees who take a critical look at all state licensure requirements to inform the state legislature on necessary changes and updates to those requirements. Jeff holds a degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a degree in Economics from Brigham Young University.
Background
The Workforce Solutions Jam is a monthly webinar to build national momentum and encourage collaboration through the Workforce Solutions Partnership. The partnership is leveraging Collective Impact to address the workforce crisis, and using a cross-sector approach to address the long-standing challenges for expanding and solidifying the behavioral health workforce.
The Workforce Solutions Partnership is the new name for the partnership between the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Health Management Associates and the College for Behavioral Health Leadership. The Center for Workforce Solutions continues to operate as an initiative of the National Council.