SHRM Foundation and Clarvida Announce Partnership to Champion Inclusive Hiring Through Untapped Talent Initiative

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, and the SHRM Foundation announced that Clarvida, one of the nation’s leading providers of behavioral health and human services, will join the SHRM Foundation Untapped Talent initiative as the first-ever Visionary Partner.

The Untapped Talent initiative helps organizations champion and implement inclusive hiring practices by engaging underutilized talent pools, including veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, individuals aged 60 and older, those with a criminal record, opportunity youth, and others. As a Visionary Partner, Clarvida is making a bold commitment to hire untapped talent for the communities it serves. Clarvida is an expert at tackling the complex challenges facing people across the United States of America, through community-based solutions such as psychiatric services, counseling and therapy, foster care, and autism services.

There is a severe labor shortage in the American economy, and the behavioral health sector alone is projected to face a shortage of 250,000 professionals by 2025. Hiring from untapped talent pools benefits individual workers, communities, businesses, and the economy as a whole. In fact, research indicates that inclusive hiring practices result in a 22% lower turnover rate, benefiting both employees and the communities they serve.

SHRM Foundation will provide evidence-based strategies, learning, and actionable resources—such as the Employing Abilities at Work and Military Community at Work certificates—to Clarvida’s People team to empower them in hiring untapped talent. As a Visionary Partner, Clarvida will focus on training Talent Acquisition and Operations teams, creating educational pipelines, and placing individuals in roles that align with their strengths and career goals. The organization, an Atar Capital affiliate, will pilot the Untapped Talent initiative in eight states—California, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and West Virginia—and aims to expand to 17 states by 2026.

“We applaud Clarvida for making such a visionary commitment to drive societal progress and community impact,” said Wendi Safstrom, SHRM Foundation president. “By increasing awareness and implementing targeted strategies, Clarvida will enhance their workforce with diverse and capable talent while serving as a model for other organizations. The value of untapped talent must be recognized as more than a matter of social good or community goodwill. Workers from untapped talent pools provide high return on investment and unique, in-demand skills. Greater inclusivity in hiring practices opens doors to more equitable and diverse work environments where both businesses and employees can thrive.” 

“America’s labor shortage demands immediate and innovative solutions, and this initiative represents a bold step forward in reimagining how we recruit and support diverse talent,” said Steve Wigginton, CEO of Clarvida. “Through our partnership with the SHRM Foundation, Clarvida is creating a replicable model for inclusive hiring that benefits individuals, families, and entire communities. Individuals from untapped talent pools can thrive in roles that align with their skills, while communities benefit from expanded access to quality care.”

“Workplace leaders and HR professionals can also join in the Untapped Talent initiative," said Safstrom. "Adopting SHRM Foundation’s training programs and creating tailored onboarding and development pathways can help companies of all sizes offer structured career opportunities for all, even with limited resources." 

For more information on the Untapped Talent initiative, visit https://untappedtalent.shrm.org.  

Facts About Untapped Talent Pools

• Ninety-three percent (93%) of HR professionals agreed (to any extent) that their organization values veterans in the workplace. Yet less than a third (31%) agreed or strongly agreed that their organization is effective at hiring veterans. (Source: SHRM)
• In 2022, only 21% of individuals with disabilities were employed, compared to 65% of those without disabilities. Among HR professionals and managers who are aware of employees with disabilities in their organization, almost all HR professionals (97%) and managers (92%) report that these employees consistently perform as well as or better than their colleagues without disabilities. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, SHRM)
• Approximately 4.7 million youth aged 16-24 are neither in school nor working in the U.S. With 7 million unfilled jobs in October 2024, this presents an opportunity for organizations to fill their talent gaps as organizations that invest in hiring opportunity youth are less likely to experience talent shortages (55% vs. 71%). (Source: Measure of America, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, SHRM)
• One in three American adults has a criminal record, yet 27% of these individuals face unemployment. Eighty-one percent (81%) of business leaders and HR professionals believe the quality of hire of workers with criminal records is about the same or better than workers without. Additionally, second-chance hiring not only provides economic mobility but also reduces recidivism by 13%, contributing to safer and stronger communities. (Source: National Employment Law Project, SHRM)
• Between 2023 and 2033, the U.S. labor force aged 65 and over is projected to grow by 32.4%, nearly nine times the growth rate of the overall labor force during the same period (3.7%). (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

About the SHRM Foundation 

SHRM Foundation empowers Human Resources as a force for social good. As the nonprofit arm of SHRM, the world's largest HR professional society, the Foundation believes that HR holds a unique position to lead change in the face of complex challenges within the world of work. The organization mobilizes and equips HR to ensure the prosperity and thriving of talent and workplaces. The Foundation works by widening pathways to work for more skills-first candidates and more kinds of talent; tackling societal challenges with a current focus on workplace mental health and wellness; and strengthening the HR field with even more diversity, growth, and readiness to address these needs. SHRM Foundation works with SHRM, courageous partners and bold investors, to generate awareness, action, and impact to build a world of work that works for all. Discover more at SHRMFoundation.org.   

About SHRM 

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org. 

About Clarvida  

Clarvida, formerly Pathways Health and Community Support, LLC, is a national provider of behavioral health and human services that serves nearly 60,000 clients and thousands of underserved communities annually. Clarvida is an expert at tackling the complex challenges facing people across America, with operations in 17 states. The company delivers innovative, personalized, community-based solutions such as psychiatric services, counseling and therapy, foster care, autism services and residential serv ices for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a champion for those who receive care and those who provide it, Clarvida’s mission is to empower people to achieve their personal best, by being the nation’s preferred provider, employer and community partner for health and human services. 

About Atar Capital

Atar Capital is a global private investment firm that acquires a wide range of lower middle market businesses exhibiting opportunities for growth, revitalization and significant value creation. Atar Capital’s principals have collectively completed 90 private equity transactions across 18 countries worldwide.

Atar Capital’s combination of operational expertise, industry knowledge and investment experience provide a unique edge in creating value and working as a true partner with its portfolio companies. The firm assists in activities ranging from growing the business to improving operations and financial performance, leveraging all available resources and talent within Atar’s leadership team, as well as its bench of seasoned senior advisors with deep sector and functional expertise. For more information, please visit https://atarcapital.com/.