County Executive Innamorato Welcomes Final BH Fellows Cohort, Celebrates Progress in Strengthening Behavioral Health Workforce

For 230 behavioral health professionals across Allegheny County, BH Fellows has offered support that can be difficult to find in a demanding field: relief from student debt, time to invest in their own growth, and a community of colleagues who understand their work.

On October 21, the program welcomed its 11th and final cohort at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, beginning another two-year journey while celebrating more than three years of investment in the people who provide essential care across the region.

Originally designed to support six cohorts, BH Fellows has grown to include 230 professionals across 11 cohorts. Ninety-one fellows from the first five cohorts have graduated, with $3.2 million paid toward their student loans. More than $7 million in loan repayment support has been pledged overall, while reporting shows that fellows have helped approximately 4,037 individuals and families receive uninterrupted access to care.

An initiative of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS), BH Fellows brings together ACDHS, JHF, Community Care Behavioral Health, and Community Family Advocates, with support from the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education, participating employers, colleges, and community organizations. Fellows commit to two years in eligible community behavioral health roles while receiving professional development, peer support, and student loan repayment assistance.

The morning also featured reflections from alumni Meghan Labiaux, a Blended Service Coordination supervisor at UPMC, and Jessica Martin, a Family-Based Mental Health program supervisor at Wesley Family Services. Their participation connected the newest cohort with professionals who have completed the experience and are continuing to contribute to the region’s behavioral health system.