Build a Pipeline of Health Providers of Color | North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation

Pathways Recommendation

Invest in programs through public universities, community colleges, and historically black colleges and universities that build and maintain medical and health care profession pipeline programs for students of color.

Pathways Action Map > Expectation 4: Social-Emotional Health Action 4.2: Build a Pipeline of Health Providers of Color

Why This Matters

Providers of color are underrepresented in many health professions, including infant and early childhood mental health. Families may prefer a provider who has a similar background or who understands their culture.¹ Building a diverse workforce that reflects all families served, addresses barriers to recruitment and retention, and supports mental health providers of color in their training and practice can help to improve access and quality of services for young children and their families.^{2, 3}