{"id":254528,"date":"2026-04-06T20:05:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T20:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/254528\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T20:05:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T20:05:07","slug":"steve-ballmer-invests-110m-in-l-a-universities-to-train-mental-health-workers-2-urban-girls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/254528\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Ballmer invests $110M in L.A. universities to train mental health workers | 2 Urban Girls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cal State Dominguez Hills announced a $29 million grant Monday, the largest philanthropic gift in its history, to educate hundreds of new mental and behavioral health professionals to serve South Los Angeles families and youth.<\/p>\n

The five-year investment from the Ballmer Group<\/a> is aimed at increasing access to mental health care for children and families in underserved communities while preparing more counselors and social workers.<\/p>\n

It was one of three substantial grants announced Monday from the investment company founded by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie. Cal State Los Angeles received $48 million \u2014 also the largest philanthropic gift in its history \u2014 and UCLA is getting $33 million, all for the same purposes.<\/p>\n

In 2024, the Ballmer Group awarded $1.9 million to Compton College<\/a> to support student transfer initiatives.<\/p>\n

The CSUDH grant will fund scholarships, licensure preparation, and emergency aid for students studying key fields related to community and mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis gift is a response to acute child and youth behavioral health shortages in South L.A. and adjacent areas \u2014 communities our students and graduates call home,\u201d CSUDH Interim President Mary Ann Villarreal said in a statement. \u201cWith this investment, CSUDH can expand access to opportunity for our students while preparing professionals committed to serving populations with the greatest need.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ballmer Group\u2019s commitment will support the launch of Toros Heal L.A., an initiative geared towards helping to strengthen the workforce needed to address the state\u2019s documented shortage of mental health professionals.<\/p>\n

\u201cCSUDH is a proven philanthropic partner and leader in preparing graduates ready to serve their communities,\u201d said Kim Pattillo Brownson, director of strategy, policy, and partnerships for Ballmer Group Los Angeles. \u201cThis investment will support a critically needed workforce and expand access to culturally responsive care across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2020, CSUDH was awarded a $1.8 million grant to conduct research on the cannabis industry in the South Bay area but never released its findings to the public.<\/p>\n

City News Service contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

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