WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) —Psychological well being help sources have turn into more and more mandatory as many individuals have confronted stress throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations report seeing many new faces strolling via their doorways.
Simply north of Austin, Williamson County’s psychological well being authority is seeking to develop to satisfy that want, however they’re confronted with some challenges.
“We’ve most likely had extra vacancies now than we’ve had earlier than,” mentioned Mike Maples, Director of Disaster Companies for Bluebonnet Trails. “That’s our greatest problem proper now, is recruiting professionals to come back work for us.”
Contained in the emergency name middle in Williamson County, issues are about to alter.
“You’re going to listen to the operator say ‘fireplace, EMS, legislation enforcement or psychological well being,’” mentioned Maples.
Because the disaster director for Bluebonnet Trails, Mike Maples is happy about what’s to come back. The group not too long ago started working with the county to supply psychological well being help officers contained in the 911 dispatch middle.
Quickly they are going to be creating a middle the place officers can take somebody experiencing a psychological well being disaster relatively than to jail.
“And we can return the legislation enforcement officer again to the streets as rapidly as we will,” mentioned Maples.
With this enlargement of companies comes a necessity for a a lot bigger workforce, however there are some challenges to rent. These positions are in excessive demand proper now.
“There’s competitors… There are different entities and healthcare professions which are additionally seeking to recruit,” mentioned Maples.
Bluebonnet is seeking to rent 20 to 30 extra staff as a part of its enlargement efforts. Proper now with many roles on the market, staff have some selective alternative.
“Extra jobs are up right here,” mentioned Omar Seivright.
Omar Seivright is shifting to the Austin space from Florida due to the alternatives. He attended Bluebonnet’s hiring occasion Saturday after listening to the advert on the radio whereas visiting Austin.
He acknowledges that psychological well being help companies is a tricky one, however was drawn to the trade for a cause. “Serving to folks, you by no means know what little factor you might say that may change somebody’s life or assist them really feel higher throughout that day,” mentioned Seivright.
The 911 disaster middle is about to launch on the finish of January and be staffed 24-hours a day. Bluebonnet can be getting ready to open up its youngsters’s respite focus on that point too.
For information on how to apply for a Bluebonnet Trails position, click here.