Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals - Project Abstract • Project Title: Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training (BHWET) • Applicant Organization Name : Center for Health Innovation- Public Health Institute (CHI-PHI) • Address: 11587 US 180 E, Silver City, NM 88061 • Project Director Name: Gena Trujillo • Contact Phone Numbers: (575) 649-8714 • Email Address: etrujillo@chi-phi.org • Website Address: www.chi-phi.org • Grant funds requested in the application: $350,000 per year for 4 years (program administration = $170,000 and Tier 1 pre-service support = $180,000) Total federal funding request = $1,400,000.00 • Funding preference and priority. CHI requests Funding Priority 1 and Funding Preference Qualification 3 (New Program). See Attachment 8 for justification. Project Overview: Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training (BHWET), initiative uses distance education technology and builds upon existing networks to enhance evidence-based practices and care for under-resourced and high need areas of southern New Mexico. BHWET creates and expands the integration of behavioral and primary health care in New Mexico where behavioral health services are limited and often disconnected from primary health care. Whereas Federally Qualified Health Centers and hospital settings typically have some level of primary and behavioral health care integration, small private practices or clinics and other settings often integrate care through formal and informal linkages with other community service providers. BHWET will provide training, technical assistance and expertise across locations and by various means within the service area to help organizations enhance and improve integrated and interprofessional care using evidence-based models, approaches and technology. Project Goals and Objectives: behavioral health professionals working with persons in under-resourced communities across New Mexico to deliver evidence-based behavioral health services. Program objectives include: • 30 participants who seek a behavioral health certification will complete the BHWET program requirements and receive certification within 6 months of completing the program. • Annually, approximately 30 participants, field supervisors, and community partners will receive training and technical assistance on evidence-based interprofessional and integrated care practices and technology integration to improve or enhance client care. • 5 experiential sites will receive intensive training and technical assistance resulting in improved integrated practices appropriate for both the training site and paraprofessionals served by this grant. • 90% of BHWET participants will show an increase in competencies, including competencies in integrated care practices and technology.. • The number of field placement sites will increase by 2 additional sites in years 2-4. • The BHWET Advisory Board will increase by 1 new member annually. How the Project Will Be Accomplished: Over the 4-year grant period, the BHWET program will focus on 8 behavioral health certifications: Peer Support Worker (CPSW); Youth Peer Support Worker (YPSW); Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS); Community Health Worker/Representative (CHW); Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS); Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA); Licensed Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC); Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). CHI will work with the BHWET Advisory board partners to improve connections and streamline processes among paraprofessional certification stakeholders, different authorized training providers, state agencies and certification boards, employers and experiential learning sites. Serving as an intermediary among these players, more certified paraprofessionals will be able to serve high need areas and populations providing evidence-based care.
