Senator Eldridge and Representative Gentile Announce $120,000 GROW Grant to Advocates For Human Potential
GROW Apprenticeship Award will support new Behavioral Health Apprenticeships
SUDBURY, MA – Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) and Representative Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury) are pleased to announce that Advocates for Human Potential, a Sudbury-based organization, has been awarded a $120,000 GROW Apprenticeship Award. This federal grant will fund the development of 24 new apprenticeship opportunities in the field of behavioral health, contributing to the organization’s mission to transform behavioral health and human service systems so organizations and individuals can reach their full potential.
Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) works to improve behavioral health and human service systems, enabling individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. Comprised of nationally recognized experts and professionals with lived experience across the behavioral health system, AHP develops innovative programs, policies, and best practices to address challenges such as the opioid crisis, housing instability, workforce shortages, and criminal justice system involvement. Partnering with federal, state, and municipal agencies, AHP focuses on serving disadvantaged populations, including individuals experiencing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, homelessness, and unemployment. Utilizing data-driven strategies and care coordination, AHP aims to create measurable, lasting impacts.
“I am thrilled to see Advocates for Human Potential receive this vital funding, which will expand career opportunities in behavioral health and help meet the growing demand for these essential services,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. “I want to thank the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards for their leadership and commitment to investing in workforce development. This funding underscores the importance of providing individuals with pathways to meaningful careers while addressing urgent public health challenges. On the Senate side, I also want to thank Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Health Care Finance Chairwoman Cindy Friedman, for leading the fight for increased investments in behavioral health.”
“I am pleased to see Advocates for Human Potential recognized for their critical work in behavioral health services,” said Representative Carmine Gentile. “I am also grateful to the Federal and State partners that helped ensure this funding will not only create valuable apprenticeship opportunities but also strengthen the behavioral health workforce that so many individuals and families rely on. Investments like this help to address the root causes of some of our society’s most pressing issues such as housing instability, the opioid crisis, and severe inequities.”
This award is part of the broader GROW Apprenticeship initiative led by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). In Fiscal Year 2025, the program will distribute over $3.4 million in funding, including over $1.2 million in federal funds, to support apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities across multiple sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, technology, life sciences, and clean energy. The GROW Apprenticeship initiative is expected to create 575 new apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities statewide, equipping individuals with the skills and experience needed to thrive in high-demand industries.
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