D11 - Relationships Matter – Tennessee’s Effort to Bolster the Public Behavioral Health Workforce

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MDT

Location: Bluebird 2G

In response to Tennessee’s behavioral health workforce shortage, TDMHSAS and TennCare partnered with key stakeholders, including state legislators, to develop and implement actionable, data-driven strategies. This session will showcase successful initiatives, including provider rate increases, recruitment and retention incentives, and scholarship programs, that have led to measurable decreases in provider vacancies. Through a panel discussion, attendees will gain insights into effective cross-sector collaboration and walk away with replicable solutions for workforce challenges in their own communities. Join us to explore how Tennessee turned a strategic vision into real-world impact.

Learning Objectives:

Identify effective, replicable strategies for addressing behavioral health workforce shortages through state-level policy and cross-sector collaboration.
Analyze the impact of specific initiative such as rate increases, recruitment incentives, and scholarship programs, on workforce vacancy and retention rates.
Apply lessons learned from Tennessee’s experience to develop or enhance workforce solutions in attendees’ own organizations or states.

Disclosure(s):

Jessica Youngblom, LMSW: No financial relationships to disclose

Alysia Smith Knight, NPM: No financial relationships to disclose

Mary Linden Salter, LCSW: No financial relationships to disclose

Caitlin Wright, MSW/LAPSW: No financial relationships to disclose

Marie Williams, LCSW: No financial relationships to disclose

Matt Yancey, LCSW, MPA: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

Jessica Youngblom, LMSW

Director of Strategic Initiatives
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Nashville, Tennessee

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides
Alysia Smith Knight, NPM

Executive Director
Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO)
Franklin, Tennessee

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
ML

Mary Linden Salter, LCSW

Executive Director
Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drugs and Other Addiction Services (TAADAS)
Nashville, Tennessee

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Caitlin Wright, MSW/LAPSW

Director of Behavioral Health Services
TennCare
Nashville, Tennessee

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Marie Williams, LCSW

Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
Nashville, Tennessee

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Matt Yancey, LCSW, MPA

Deputy Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Nashville, Tennessee

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose