Workforce Development at ECS 

ECS invests in workforce development because critical services require a strong workforce. Through certification support, career pathways, and academic partnerships, we help ECS staff grow throughout their professional journey. These programs strengthen retention, expand capacity, and contribute to a healthier, more stable workforce in San Diego.

How our approach supports the region 

Workforce development is part of how ECS builds long-term community impact. When staff have access to credentials, continuing education, and clear advancement pathways, programs can stay fully staffed, services remain consistent, and more community members can access care. 

Take a look inside ECS’ Substance Use Disorder Counselor apprenticeship program with San Diego Workforce Partnership. May 2026.

Workforce Development Programs 

  • ECS launched a pilot Substance Use Disorder Counselor Apprenticeship in 2025 in partnership w/ San Diego Workforce Partnership. This is a paid, structured training program that combines hands-on work experience with a trained mentor, class-based education, a clear path to SUD certification, and progressive wage increases as competencies are met. Class-based education is provided by Tarzana College, an online, six-month accelerated program that is free to staff and designed to build workforce capacity in substance use disorder services.

    Who it supports: CERRC & ACCORD staff

    Focus: Substance use disorder services

  • Effective October 1, 2025

    To support hiring and retention in critical behavioral health roles, ECS offers an incentive program for PLF, ACCORD, and CERRC.

    Eligible critical positions:‍ ‍
    Therapists ($2k)
    SUD Counselor ($1K)
    Case Managers ($1k)

    Eligible staff receive the incentive in two parts:
    Within90 days of hire: half of the incentive
    Within180 days of hire: the other half of the incentive

    Who it supports: PLF, ACCORD, and CERRC therapists, SUD counselors, and case managers

    Focus: Behavioral health services retention

  • National University offers a 10% discount for all ECS staff and their dependents across all approved programs. Restrictions apply. Reach out to HR at HR@ecscalifornia.org for more information. 

    Who it supports: ECS staff, spouses, and dependents 

    Focus: Various National University certificate and degree programs 

  • Funding is available through CADTP to pay for counselors’ SUD education.

    Who it supports: SUD counselors

    Focus: SUD education

  • ECS offers a reimbursement program that helps current staff pursue certifications and/or licensures that strengthen their skills and support professional growth.

    Who it supports: Current staff

    Focus: Certifications

  • ECS uses Relias as a behavioral health learning management system. It provides continuing education units that are free for all behavioral health staff, helping staff stay current and maintain strong practice standards.

    Who it supports: Current behavioral health staff

    Focus: Keeping staff current with certification and/or licensure requirements

  • ECS partners with the San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative to support ongoing professional development for teaching staff and site leaders through coaching, training, and quality improvement activities. Participating educators receive a professional development stipend from $800 to $1,000. Stipend amount varies based on program funding availability.

    Who it supports: ECS Head Start teaching staff and site leaders

    Focus: Strengthens instructional practices, leadership capacity, and overall program quality across ECS early education sites.

  • ECS promotes continued staff education by offering tuition reimbursement for early childhood education coursework, further supporting credential advancement and long-term professional growth. 

    Who it supports: ECS staff

    Focus: Continued education

ECS Employees
Contact Human Resources at hr@ecscalifornia.org to learn more about these initiatives.

Partnership Opportunities
ECS welcomes partnerships that strengthen career pathways, increase practicum and training opportunities, and grow the local behavioral health and substance use disorder and early education workforces. 

For partnership inquiries, please contact Hazzy Pipo, Vice President of Administration, at hazzyp@ecscalifornia.org.