Resources

This program’s purpose is to support training programs that enhance and expand paraprofessionals knowledge and expertise, and to increase the number of peer support specialists and other behavioral health-related paraprofessionals who work on integrated, interprofessional teams in providing services to families impacted by OUD and other SUD. A special focus is on supporting children and adolescents in high need and high demand areas who have experienced trauma and are at risk for mental health disorders.

View Program Website

Sponsors

Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Deadlines

May 6, 2024

Contact

For programmatic or technical questions:
Andrea Knox-Ellen
301.443.4170
OIFSP@hrsa.gov

For grants management or budget questions:
Tim Coyle
301.443.4243
TCoyle@hrsa.gov

The program requirements include:

• -Facilitate a Level 1, pre-service training program consisting of didactic and experiential field training for pre-service training of paraprofessional child and adolescent mental or behavioral health workers
• -Establish or enhance the paraprofessional certificate training program(s) through curriculum development or hands-on learning in the form of experiential field placements
• -Establish or leverage partnerships with community-based, non-traditional community organizations and tribal colleges that serve high need and high demand areas and populations
• -Establish a Level 2 component that provides “on-the-job training” through a registered apprenticeship, so trainees gain career opportunities, earn stackable credits, and enhance their skills
• -Create additional training positions by approximately 10% or more in year 1 and maintain that level each year over the 4-year project period
• -Identify experienced preceptors and mentors to support trainees
• -Measure and manage program performance by reporting data on program outputs/outcomes and participate in federally-designed evaluations

Preference is given to new and existing programs that have demonstrated the ability to place trainees in medically underserved communities, defined as:

• -Health Professional Shortage Areas
• -Medically Underserved Areas
• -Medically Underserved Populations
• -Governor’s Certified Shortage Area for Rural Health Clinic purposes

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include state-licensed mental health nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including:

• -Academic institutions, including universities, community colleges and technical schools, which must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
• -Domestic community-based organizations and public entities
• -Tribes and tribal organizations

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. territories

Award ceiling: $600,000
Project period: 4 years
Estimated number of awards: 28
Estimated total program funding: $16,800,000

Application process

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.

Applicant webinar recording