CEHHS Presents New Autism Training Opportunites

 

Participants during the Autism Information and
Recruiting event

DEARBORN, MI - On September 22, 2016, the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) hosted an information and recruiting event to present the new CEHHS programs on Autism Opportunities. More than 30 participants learned about the basics of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and its evidence-based applications to autism and other areas. Participants also learned about new Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training course and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) courses.

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) are credentialed paraprofessionals who practice under the close, ongoing supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). 

Dr. David Hill explains the basics of Applied Behavior
Analysis

The RBT delivers behavioral interventions in a one-on-one or small group setting from a detailed plan with the goals including:

• Improved education
• Improved health outcomes
• Improved behavior challenges
• Improved social behavior

There are many possibilities, including international, for RBT employment upon earning the credential.  Some opportunity fields are:

• Private family homes
• Residential group homes
• Private and state facilities providing behavioral and mental health services
• Non-profit agencies, health, and human services providers
• Private clinics
• Hospitals
• Behavioral in-patient crisis centers
• Schools as paraprofessional in special or general education settings
• Law enforcement agencies

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services has a new 40-hour program teaching the RBT Task List of skills necessary to sit for the national examination and become an RBT. Courses start on October 14, 2016. Please check the Registered Behavior Technician page for additional details.

Paul Bielich from the Curriculum Knowledge Center
offered literature about Autism

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.