In October, Virginia Beach pledged bonuses to 200 who began mental heath care work. How much has been spent?

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — In October, the Virginia Beach City Council authorized a $200,000 grant to help provide $1,000 bonuses to the first 200 who joined the ranks of mental health care providers to help address the current labor crisis.

How many new additions have taken advantage of bonuses in the city so far?

The answer: around 20.

That’s why Michael Woodhead, a consultant with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, hopes to get the word out that the program is still up and running and that if you take a job at a private, nonprofit mental health care provider profit, is eligible.

There is a shortage of mental health workers that equates to fewer opportunities for those who are suffering.

In November, the Department of Human Services Pathways Center at Birdneck Circle closed as a result of staffing shortages which only exacerbates the problem according to Woodhead.

Woodhead said he suspects more than 20 people have been hired in recent months. He said that by making cold calls to different practices, many did not know the program existed.

“As you can imagine, you look like a gift horse in the mouth. People say, ‘Wait a minute. Who are you and what is this? and ‘I haven’t heard of this program, is it legit? Free money? Who gets free money?’” Woodhead said. “We want to reassure professionals and business owners and the mental and behavioral health services industry that this is a real program, that we are looking to put up $200,000 of support money to hire businesses that will help them grow their businesses.”

Woodhead helped run a similar program for the tourism industry. But nevertheless, in that case, I had a marketing budget.

While Woodhead believes a more holistic approach is needed in the long run, the $1,000 bonuses will help in other ways.

“At the very least, this is giving us an opportunity to get in front of available workers and let them know that there are career opportunities in wonderful, vibrant industries that they may not be familiar with,” Woodhead said.

He asks anyone who is interested in the program to contact the Hampton Roads Workforce Council.