Payer–Provider Partnership to Identify Successful Retention Strategies for the Behavioral Health Workforce Shari L. Hutchison, MS, PMP, Amy D. Herschell, PhD, Katie Clauss, MS, CPRP, Kristen Hovorka, PHR, SHRM-CP, Deborah S. Wasilchak, MA, and Matthew O. Hurford, MD What Is the Purpose of This Study? • A managed care organization and community-based providers collaborated to gain a better understanding of workforce issues. • The result of the collaboration was actionable steps based on merging field-tested, research-backed, and provider-perceived best strategies designed to improve staff retention. What Is the Problem? • Annual staff turnover rates are high, ranging from 25% to 50% in mental health agencies and 19% to 33% in substance use disorder agencies. • High turnover rates in the behavioral health workforce are a burden and associated with: ○ Increased cost of recruiting and training new employees; ○ Increased strain on remaining employees (i.e., decreased morale); ○ Inconsistent services, weaker therapist–client relationships; and ○ Decreased access to care. What Are the Findings? • Sources of best strategies for retention were not always consistent. • Successfully demonstrated but less used strategies included use of exit and stay interviews, training in best practices, availability of electronic records and other technology, and flexible work schedules. • Seventeen percent of provider responses emphasized the type of employment offered (full or part time, benefits, competitive wage), 13% ability to offer trainings and staff development, 10% using staff feedback. • Who Should Care Most? • Administrators of behavioral health services and those who facilitate quality care—payers, mental health officials, and advocates. • The behavioral health workforce of psychiatrists, clinicians, social workers, and others. • Individuals who receive behavioral health services. [End Page 141] Recommendations for Action • Providers desire a vehicle for sharing ideas and problem-solving issues and should be given a routine forum for this purpose. • Providers across systems should be given the opportunity to learn successful strategies from other providers. • Low used, low burden and highly endorsed strategies identified by this study should be implemented by providers. [End Page 142] Shari L. Hutchison Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, UPMC Insurance Services Division Amy D. Herschell Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, UPMC Insurance Services Division Katie Clauss UPMC Behavioral Health of the Alleghenies Kristen Hovorka Salisbury Management, Inc. Deborah S. Wasilchak Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, UPMC Insurance Services Division Matthew O. Hurford Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, UPMC Insurance Services Division Copyright © 2021 Johns Hopkins University Press