The College of Education, Health, and Human Services Receives a Federal Grant

DEARBORN, MI - The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) received funding of $290,684 from the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop a suite of academic certificate programs for behavioral and mental health careers.

(CNS Photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

This grant provides funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) program.

“The Administration is committed to ensuring that Americans of all ages have access to quality mental health and substance abuse services,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “These grants are an important step toward that goal by creating an educational pipeline for future behavioral health providers so people in need can get the care they deserve.”

CEHHS applied for this grant over last summer. The overall goal of the award is to train 125 paraprofessionals through a sustainable suite of certificate programs. CEHHS has been developing a comprehensive system of interlocking certificates focused on the paraprofessional level of behavioral and mental health careers.

 

Dean Janine Janosky

"This award, through HRSA, provides the opportunity for CEHHS to finalize the development of the IMPACT Certificate Program", explained CEHHS dean Janine Janosky. "This will allow CEHHS and UM-Dearborn to lead in not only offering in-demand programs to our students, but also to fill much needed gaps in available mental health professionals in our region through immediate employability and economic mobility for students."

This program development focuses on the next cluster of certificates, the IMPACT Certificate Program, which will prepare individuals for paraprofessional careers in behavioral and mental health as well as entry into bachelor’s degree programs. With this HRSA funding, CEHHS will develop courses and build a system of certificates using four common core courses that are followed by focused courses tailored toward one of four certificates: Social Service Technician, Child Life Assistant, Psychiatric Technician, and Mental Health Technician.

This funding will allow CEHHS to:

1. recruit,support, and train 125 paraprofessionals;
2. further expand its community partnerships to ensure field placements, career development, and job placement for its students; and
3. evaluate and report on the program outcomes and impact.

Associate Dean Laura Reynolds explains, “This grant will allow CEHHS to expand the College’s contribution to the metropolitan community by providing access to training for individuals in high-need behavioral and mental health fields at the paraprofessional level.  Through this grant, individuals will be able to increase their economic and professional capacity, while at the same time providing much needed services in behavioral and mental health in southeastern Michigan.” 

Associate Dean Laura Reynolds

With CEHHS’ experience delivering certificate courses to students, this is an opportunity for students to secure high paying employment situations that will improve the health of Southeastern Michigan through working with at-risk children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth.

The certificate courses have an emphasis on prevention, intervention and approaches for those at risk of developing mental and substance uses disorders as well as involving families in the prevention and treatment of behavioral health conditions.