Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals

The purpose of the BHWET Program for Paraprofessionals is to develop and expand community-based experiential training such as field placements and internships to increase the skills, knowledge and capacity of students preparing to become mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals. The program has a special focus on developing knowledge and understanding of the needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth who have experienced trauma and are at risk for behavioral health disorders including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. The program also emphasizes developmental opportunities and educational support in interprofessional collaboration by using team-based care in integrated behavioral health and primary care settings to improve the distribution of a well-trained behavioral health workforce. The program also aims to recruit a workforce that is interested in serving high need and high demand areas. For the purpose of this NOFO, all training will be separated into two levels: • Level 1: Pre-service: Includes didactic and experiential field training. • Level 2: In-service (optional): Training at a registered Department of Labor apprenticeship site. All paraprofessional training that does not fall under the definition of a registered apprenticeship will be defined as Level 1: Pre-service training as further explained in Program Requirements and Expectations. Registered apprenticeships (Level 2) are not a program requirement. You are not required to implement Level 2 in your proposal to be considered eligible for this program. If you are implementing Level 2 in your proposed training project, you can receive an additional 5 points in Criteria 2: Response/Approach.

These types of domestic organizations may apply, if otherwise eligible. Domestic means located in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau: • Public institutions of higher education • Private institutions of higher education ? These may include universities, community colleges and technical schools, which must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, as specified by the U.S. Department of Education. • Nonprofits with or without a 501(c)(3) IRS status • Faith-based and community-based organizations • Hospitals • HRSA-funded health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) • Rural health clinics • Other community-based clinical settings • State, county, city, township, and special district governments • Native American tribal governments • Native American tribal organizations Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training for Paraprofessionals award recipients with funding that ends on August 31, 2025 can apply as a “Competing Continuation” applicant, so long as there is not a change in scope. Previous BHWET for Paraprofessionals recipients whose funding ended before September 1, 2021 should apply as a “New” applicant. Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Nicole M. Wilkerson

301-443-6752