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SHRM Foundation and Clarvida Partner for Inclusive Hiring

In a bold move to address critical labor shortages while promoting social equity, the SHRM Foundation and Clarvida have announced a partnership centered on the Untapped Talent initiative. This collaboration aims to assist organizations in implementing inclusive hiring practices that effectively engage underutilized talent pools.

The Untapped Talent initiative is designed to champion diversity in the workforce by focusing on groups that are often overlooked in the hiring process. These include veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, those with criminal records, and opportunity youth. Clarvida, recognized as a leader in behavioral health and human services, will serve as the first Visionary Partner in this initiative, committing to hiring untapped talent within the communities it serves.

The Challenge of Labor Shortages

The American economy is grappling with a serious labor shortage, particularly in the behavioral health sector, which is projected to face a professional shortfall of 250,000 by 2025. The significance of hiring from untapped talent pools cannot be overstated; studies reveal that inclusive hiring practices can lead to a 22% reduction in turnover rates. This is beneficial not only for the individual workers involved but also for the businesses that hire them and the communities they serve.

The SHRM Foundation will equip Clarvida's People team with evidence-based strategies and resources, including specialized certificates like Employing Abilities at Work and Military Community at Work. This training will empower Clarvida to effectively tap into and support diverse talent in their hiring processes.

Focused Initiatives and Future Goals

As part of their role as Visionary Partners, Clarvida will concentrate on enhancing the skills of its Talent Acquisition and Operations teams, developing educational pipelines, and ensuring individuals are placed in roles suited to their strengths. The initiative will be piloted in eight states—California, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and West Virginia—with plans to expand to 17 states by 2026.

Wendi Safstrom, president of the SHRM Foundation, commended Clarvida for its visionary commitment to community impact. She emphasized that maximizing the potential of untapped talent should be recognized not merely as an act of social goodwill, but as a strategic business decision that provides a high return on investment. The enhanced diversity in hiring practices will pave the way for more equitable working environments, benefitting both companies and employees.

Steve Wigginton, CEO of Clarvida, articulated the pressing need for innovative solutions to address America's labor challenges. He described the partnership with the SHRM Foundation as a step towards developing a replicable model focused on inclusive hiring practices that positively impact individuals, families, and entire communities.

Opportunities for Workplace Leaders

The Untapped Talent initiative encourages workplace leaders and Human Resources (HR) professionals to join the movement by adopting SHRM Foundation’s training programs and designing personalized onboarding pathways, allowing businesses—regardless of size—to contribute to more inclusive employment practices.

For those interested in exploring inclusive hiring strategies further, additional information is available on the Untapped Talent initiative at untappedtalent.shrm.org.

About Clarvida

Previously known as Pathways Health and Community Support, Clarvida is a national provider of behavioral health services that reaches nearly 60,000 clients and countless underserved communities each year. With operations in 17 states, Clarvida offers personalized community-based solutions like psychiatric services, counseling, foster care, and autism services. Their mission centers on empowering individuals to achieve their best, striving to become the nation's preferred partner in health and human services.