Building a Resilient Health Care Workforce: Why It Matters in 2025
Across the United States, health systems are facing critical workforce shortages from behavioral health specialists to community care coordinators. These gaps directly affect how underserved communities access care and how effectively providers can respond to complex patient needs.
Cambia Health Foundation is addressing this challenge through its 2025 Health Care Workforce Request for Proposals (RFP), a grant initiative designed to strengthen integrated primary care teams that deliver whole-person care across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Tribal Nations within those states.
By supporting collaboration between clinical and non-clinical providers, Cambia aims to improve provider well-being, enhance patient outcomes, and expand access to behavioral and social health services for the communities most in need.
About Cambia Health Foundation's Workforce Focus
Cambia Health Foundation's Health Care Workforce initiative is dedicated to expanding, diversifying, and supporting both paid and unpaid caregivers across the Northwest region. Its goal is to reduce critical behavioral health workforce shortages and strengthen whole-person care delivery.
This priority emerged from an urgent need:
- More than 8.3 million people in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah live in Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
- 1 in 6 adults serves as an unpaid caregiver for a friend or family member, often facing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress-related health issues.
Cambia's funding strategy focuses on:
- Expanding access to behavioral health programs and services in shortage areas.
- Increasing the number and diversity of providers trained in collaborative care models.
- Promoting workforce well-being and retention, especially among community-based and behavioral health teams.
By investing in these areas, Cambia aims to build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable care workforce for the future.
Who Can Apply
The 2025 Health Care Workforce RFP is open to organizations that deliver or collaborate on integrated primary care programs that connect physical, behavioral, and social health services to support whole-person care.
You can apply if your organization is one of the following:
- A nonprofit (501(c)(3)) offering integrated or team-based primary care services
- An accredited school or university engaged in health or social care training
- A government or public agency, such as a county or public health clinic
- A federally recognized Tribal entity
- A fiscal sponsor applying on behalf of an eligible organization or partnership
To qualify, applicants must:
- Provide or partner to deliver integrated care linking physical, behavioral, and social services
- Offer services in person, virtually, or in community-based settings
- Serve populations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, or Tribal Nations within those states
Not eligible :
Programs that focus on only one type of service, for example, only medical care, only behavioral health, or only social support, are not eligible. To qualify, your program must combine or coordinate these services within an integrated care approach.
Priority Focus Areas
Cambia will prioritize proposals from existing primary care teams or partnerships advancing integrated, whole-person care. Projects that help strengthen and sustain the healthcare workforce are especially encouraged.
Focus areas include:
1. Training and Career Development
Build the skills and leadership of integrated care teams through cross-training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development.
2. Provider Well-being and Burnout Prevention
Support workforce resilience and create supportive, healthy work environments to reduce burnout and improve long-term retention.
3. Paid Internships and Practicum Opportunities
Expand the next generation of health professionals through paid, supervised placements in integrated care settings.
4. Technology and Innovation
Leverage tools and digital platforms to enhance coordination, remote access, and data tracking across behavioral, physical, and social care needs.
5. Addressing Social Barriers to Health
Provide targeted assistance to address housing, food, transportation, or other social challenges identified during patient care.
Grant Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Amount | $30,000–$60,000 |
| Project Duration | Up to 24 months |
| Eligible Regions | Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Tribal Nations within those states |
| Expected Awards | 8–12 |
| Grant Start Date | October–November 2025 |
Key Dates:
- Applications Open : July 10, 2025 (5:00 PM PT)
- Submission Deadline : August 14, 2025 (5:00 PM PT)
- Award Notifications : Week of September 29, 2025
Note : Dates and details are based on the official 2025 RFP announcement. Please confirm all deadlines and requirements directly on the Cambia Health Foundation application portal before applying. Cambia may also offer similar workforce funding opportunities in 2026, depending on program outcomes and future funding priorities. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official Cambia Health Foundation website.
How to Build a Winning Cambia Proposal
Cambia Health Foundation is inviting proposals that turn whole-person care into measurable impact. The most competitive applications will clearly show how clinical, behavioral, and social care teams work together to improve outcomes for underserved communities.
Strong proposals will:
Clearly define the populations you serve and demonstrate a shared team commitment to integrated, person-centered care.
Leverage technology solutions (like GridSocial by SocialRoots.ai) to streamline referrals, enhance data visibility, and track outcomes efficiently.
Focus on one or more measurable goals, such as:
- Expanding workforce training or mentorship opportunities
- Increasing access to behavioral or social health services
- Improving provider well-being and retention
- Enhancing team collaboration and cultural responsiveness
If your organization meets these benchmarks, your proposal is well-aligned with Cambia's 2025 priorities and positions you strongly for anticipated 2026 workforce funding opportunities.
How to Apply for the 2025 Health Care Workforce RFP
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organization meets all core requirements and serves communities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, or Tribal Nations within those states.
Step 2: Identify Your Focus Area
Choose one main area your project will strengthen, such as workforce well-being, training and development, technology innovation, or addressing social barriers to health.
Step 3: Build a Strong Application
Show how your team collaborates across medical, behavioral, and social services. Include clear goals, measurable outcomes, and plans for sustaining impact beyond the grant period.
Step 4: Submit by August 14, 2025 (5:00 PM PT)
Applications open July 10, 2025, via the Cambia Health Foundation Portal. Create or log in to your account to submit your proposal.
Step 5: Plan for Future Funding
If your team misses the 2025 cycle, it's still worthwhile to review the current priorities and strengthen your integrated care model now. Cambia may announce similar workforce funding opportunities in 2026, depending on outcomes and available resources.
Note: Dates and details are based on the official 2025 RFP. Please confirm current deadlines and eligibility directly on the Cambia Health Foundation website before applying.
How GridSocial Supports a Stronger Care Workforce
Strong Cambia proposals are built on precise data, collaboration, and measurable outcomes, the same principles that guide effective care coordination.
Tools like GridSocial by SocialRoots.ai can help teams put those principles into practice.
With GridSocial, care teams can:
- Coordinate referrals and follow-ups across health and community partners
- Track workforce capacity, caseloads, and collaboration trends
- Document behavioral health and social outcomes securely
- Reduce manual reporting through shared dashboards and automated updates.
- Produce data insights that demonstrate accountability to funders and partners.
By helping teams work together more efficiently and show measurable results, GridSocial supports the kind of integrated, transparent care model Cambia seeks to fund.
Conclusion: Empowering the Care Workforce for the Future
Cambia Health Foundation's 2025 Health Care Workforce RFP is more than a funding opportunity; it's a catalyst for transforming how integrated care teams work, connect, and thrive.
By combining collaborative care models, behavioral health integration, and technology-enabled coordination, organizations can build a resilient workforce ready to meet community needs.
Using tools like GridSocial by SocialRoots.ai can help organizations improve how they track outcomes, share data, and coordinate across partners, key factors in sustaining progress and positioning for future funding opportunities.