Overview
- A Ballmer Group commitment announced Monday will send $48 million to Cal State LA, $33 million to UCLA, and $29 million to Cal State Dominguez Hills to expand training for youth and family mental health roles.
- Cal State LA plans to prepare more than 1,000 new social workers and family counselors over five years by doubling its one‑year MSW, raising its two‑year MSW capacity by 50 percent, and doubling its school‑based family counseling program, with most funds going to scholarships.
- UCLA will offer scholarships, launch a new minor in youth behavioral health in the psychology department, and fund child‑focused fellowships within psychiatry and behavioral sciences, alongside support for the school of social welfare.
- Cal State Dominguez Hills will launch Toros Heal L.A. to grow a community‑rooted workforce for South L.A., with about 75 percent of funds for scholarships of up to $18,000 per year and new partnerships for training and jobs.
- State data show 55 of 58 California counties lack enough mental health clinicians, including a 20 to 35 percent shortfall in Los Angeles, and the universities say the investment will build a local pipeline through scholarships and supervised clinical placements.