UCLA announced on Apr. 6 that it has received a $33 million grant from the Ballmer Group to address youth mental health challenges in Los Angeles. The funding will support new and expanded initiatives across three UCLA departments, aiming to train more professionals and improve access to behavioral health care for young people, especially in underserved communities.
The initiative comes as more young Californians report mental health concerns and face barriers to care due to workforce shortages and lack of trained professionals. According to the university, this investment will help strengthen the pipeline of future practitioners able to serve diverse populations across Los Angeles County.
Funding will be distributed among the department of psychology in the UCLA College, the department of social welfare at the Luskin School of Public Affairs, and the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine. It also builds on existing training partnerships with county agencies through UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. “UCLA is not just a university in Los Angeles, it is a university of Los Angeles — so it is critical for us to address the growing youth mental health crisis in our community,” said UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk. “The generosity of Ballmer Group will enable UCLA to equip more professionals with the skills and deep knowledge needed to care for young people and their families.”
This grant forms part of a broader $110 million investment by Ballmer Group that also includes Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills, aiming collectively to produce nearly 2,600 new behavioral health graduates by 2031.
The psychology department plans to use its share for expanding a minor in youth behavioral health led by Professor Bruce Chorpita; students completing this program will qualify for credentials required for public behavioral health positions in LA County. Tracy Johnson, dean of life sciences at UCLA College said: “Every student UCLA empowers with the knowledge, empathy and skills they need… benefits us all. Together, we’re building a better future of expanded access to compassionate, informed care.” The Luskin School’s social welfare department intends to increase fellowships and hands-on training opportunities under Professor Poco Kernsmith’s leadership; interim dean Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris said: “The fellowships from the grant will train… social workers… equipped…to improve community mental health.” At Geffen School of Medicine under Dr. Helena Hansen’s direction, funds will enhance postdoctoral fellowships focused on child psychiatry; Dean Dr. Steven Dubinett said: “This grant will strengthen our partnership with LA County Department of Mental Health…and build a robust pipeline…prepared to serve underresourced communities.”
Kim Pattillo Brownson from Ballmer Group Los Angeles said: “Los Angeles County’s youth mental health crisis demands a stronger pipeline…and that starts with training….UCLA’s ability…makes it a powerful partner….” Hundreds of students are expected participate beginning this fall as these efforts get underway.
According to the official website, University of California Los Angeles has been associated with Nobel laureates and MacArthur Fellows as well as excellence in scholarship, arts, athletics, fostering diverse perspectives through academic programs on its 419-acre campus within the University California system.
