Celebrating the First Graduating Class of the Y+ Heritage Education Enhancement Program
Last updated: March 3, 2026, at 9:57 a.m. PT
Originally published: March 3, 2026, at 9:57 a.m. PT
On February 21, the YMCA of Greater Seattle celebrated 18 graduates of the first cohort of the Y+ Heritage Education Enhancement Program — a groundbreaking initiative designed to build a more representative, community-centered mental health workforce in our region.
Surrounded by colleagues, family members, and agency partners, graduates marked the completion of a two-year journey that allowed them to continue serving their communities while earning a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Heritage University.
This milestone represents more than a graduation. It reflects a bold investment in the people already doing the work — and in the future of behavioral health care in King County.
Removing Barriers to Higher Education
The Y+ Heritage Education Enhancement Program was intentionally designed to remove the financial and structural barriers that often prevent behavioral health professionals from advancing their education. Through a partnership with Heritage University, the program allows employees of the Y and participating King County Medicaid mental health and substance use disorder agencies to earn their master’s degree at no cost. There are no tuition payments, book fees, or university expenses for students.
Staff who hold a bachelor’s degree may be eligible to apply for admission to the program through a community-based behavioral health clinical training site in King County. The program prioritizes staff of color, staff living with disabilities, and staff who identify as LGBTQIAA+ to expand access to higher education and strengthen a behavioral health workforce that reflects the communities it serves.
Participants:
- Work full-time while earning their degree
- Receive employer-supported flexibility for class time
- Complete supervised clinical hours within their own agency
- Finish paid internships as part of their 40-hour work week
Graduates commit to serving their organization for four years after completing the program, strengthening staff retention and ensuring continuity of care for clients.
The King County agencies represented in this first graduating cohort include:
- YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS)
- Center for Human Services
- Therapeutic Health Services
- Transitional Housing
- Catholic Community Services
What began with five partner agencies has grown significantly. Our fourth cohort, which just launched, includes 13 agencies represented — demonstrating strong demand and shared commitment across our community.
Building a Workforce That Reflects Our Community
Each cohort can enroll up to 30 staff members, with two cohorts per year — creating opportunities for up to 60 professionals annually. During the program, participants collectively manage thousands of cases, serving an estimated 4,200 unduplicated clients at any given time.
By removing student loan debt and unpaid internship barriers, the program opens doors for career advancement while strengthening culturally relevant and affirming care across King County.
Reflecting on the experience, graduate Deidre Smith, a Substance Use Disorder Professional and Mental Health Intern, shared, “Y+ Heritage truly gets what real life looks like. It made it possible for me to grow without stepping away from the life I was already building. I was able to keep showing up for my family and my clients while earning this degree and doing it alongside peers who were balancing just as much as I was. That’s what makes this program so powerful.”
Looking Ahead
The February 21 graduation marks the beginning of what is possible when community organizations invest deeply in their people.
By combining education, agency-based internships, and a commitment to long-term service, the Y+ Heritage Education Enhancement Program is helping create a more sustainable behavioral health workforce — one rooted in lived experience, cultural understanding, and community connection.
To learn more or apply, email studentapplication@seattleymca.org . Applicants must create or have a Google email/account to access the application link. Apply here >>