2024 Update: Behavioral Health Workforce Investments

Better Health Together convenes a regional Behavioral Health Forum made up of organizations that provide behavioral health services and institutions that educate the behavioral health workforce. Using Integrated Managed Care dollars set aside by the BHT Board, this self-governing group designs and funds initiatives focused on the behavioral health workforce. This page highlights the way these dollars have supported the community-based workforce, clinicians, and behavioral health interns to strengthen behavioral health services in Eastern Washington.

Behavioral Health Forum Workforce Initiatives

The Behavioral Health Forum is a convening body for organizations that provide behavioral health services to Medicaid populations, enhance the behavioral health workforce, or interact with other ways with behavioral health systems in Eastern Washington. In 2022, the Forum engaged in a participatory budgeting process to allocate $1.2 million of integrated managed care funds to 12 initiatives that support the behavioral health workforce. This funding is available to eligible organizations and individuals as determined by Forum members. Descriptions and details for these initiatives can be viewed by clicking the plus sign (+) beside the orange headings below. Note that some are currently open and some have not yet launched.

For additional information, see our 2024 Behavioral Health Workforce Investments Update. If you have questions or would like additional details about the initiatives listed here, contact Hannah Klaassen, Program Manager (Hannah@BetterHealthTogether.org).

Workforce Recruitment & Retention

• CLOSED: Behavioral Health Supervision Support

  September 2023 update: all funds have been allocated to support provider organizations with supervision for master’s level behavioral health (including SUD) staff so they can gain critical licensure and the region can build supervision capacity.

  Read results of the round one behavioral health supervision funding at this link. Stay tuned for reporting results from this second round of funding, coming in 2024.

• OPEN: SUDP Alternative Certification Funding

  Funding covers the cost for behavioral health providers serving Medicaid populations in the Better Health Together region to complete the SUDP Alternative Certification program through the Community Colleges of Spokane. Total available Forum funds: $66,000. Cost of the alternative certification program: $5499/person.

  Please note that supervised SUD counseling hours are also required for certification and vary based on the applicant’s level of formal education. Visit the Department of Health Certification Requirements page for additional details about the SUDP credential.

  For information about the program, see this flyer or visit this CCS web page.

  Email Hannah Klaassen, Program Manager at Hannah@BetterHealthTogether.org to request funding.

• ACTIVE: Scholarships for SFCC BAS-Integrated Behavioral Health Program

  The Forum has allocated a total of $207,864 in scholarships to support the first cohort (fall 2023 start date) in this new program at Spokane Falls Community College. The Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Integrated Behavioral Health (BAS-IBH) program builds on SFCC’s programs in addiction studies and integrated community services.

  To learn more about the degree, visit the SFCC website. The scholarship program will be managed by the SFCC team, including the decision process and award distribution.

• OPEN: Organization Stipends for Internship/Practicum Support

  Funds provide flexible financial support to organizations in the BHT region (six counties and three reservations in Eastern Washington) that are training the behavioral health workforce through formal practicum and internship programs. By offering this funding, the Forum aims to support supervisors, administrators, clinicians, and clinicians-in-training to better train and retain members of the Medicaid-serving behavioral health workforce.

  Read more and apply here [link].

Peers & Community Health Workers

• CLOSED: Certified Peer Counselor Trainings

  This initiative funds one week-long Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) training specifically for Eastern Washington candidates and several WRAP trainings for Peers.

  Twenty people completed CPC training November 13-17, 2023.

  WRAP training dates will be posted when confirmed.

  To learn more about the Certified Peer Counselor role, complete the online prerequisite course, and apply for a Health Care Authority CPC training, visit this Health Care Authority web page.

• CLOSED: WRAP Training for Peers

  Between April 2024 and March 2025, the Forum is funding three Wellness Recover Action Plan (WRAP) trainings for the peer workforce. The first training is scheduled for April 23-24 and registration is closed.

  Information about the next WRAP training, scheduled for August 2024, will be sent to the Forum contact list when reg stration open.

• ACTIVE: Community-based Workforce Trainings

  Arranged by the Eastern Washington Community Health Worker Network, these dollars fund training opportunities for Peers, Community Health Workers, and other members of the community-based workforce.

  Connect with the Network and find out about upcoming training opportunities by emailing EWCHWNetwork@BetterHealthTogether.org or visiting this web page: https://waportal.org/partners/eastern-washington-community-health-worker-chw-network

• Peer Practicum/Internship Model Pilot

  Pilot for an internship that supports Peers in skill-building following their initial CPC training and certification. This supports Peers in putting skills into practice and in building advanced skills as a Peer.

  Design work is currently underway. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

• Peer Supervision Support

  Training and technical assistance for individuals supervising peers in non-peer-focused organizations. This initiative is intended to build understanding of the peer role, to support peers and supervisors in creating healthy work environments, and to continue building local capacity to provide highly effective services.

  Design work is currently underway. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

Training & Education

• Training: All Workforce

  This initiative is for training opportunities that will be open to all members of the behavioral health workforce. Potential trainings and training topics include trauma-informed care, equity, motivational interviewing, and mental health first aid.

  Additional details will be posted as they become available.

• Training: Train the Trainer

  This initiative is for Train the Trainer opportunities that will help to build local capacity for offering trainings relevant to the behavioral health workforce.

  Behavioral Health Forum members are currently discussing which training(s) to offer. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

• Training: Master's/Clinical

  This initiative is for training opportunities for master’s level clinicians providing behavioral health services. Potential trainings and training topics include trauma-informed care, equity-related topics, motivational interviewing, managing aggressive behavior, and leadership/managing staff.

  Additional details will be posted as they become available.

• Offset Lost Billable Hours

  Funds will be rolled out alongside training opportunities in order to offset lost billable hours and provide support for training participation.

  Additional details will be posted as they become available.