The Idaho State University CHW Training Academy has been awarded a grant through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals by the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It is an award of $500,000 per year, anticipated over 4 years, starting in September 2025.
Funding will support Community Health Worker (CHW) Behavioral Health Training for 22 trainees each year to expand readiness to address behavioral health needs in communities and among clients. Of those 22 participants, the funding also supports on-the-job learning in behavioral health settings for 8 trainees to complete a registered apprenticeship each year through the U.S. Department of Labor in places such as primary care centers, community schools, peer recovery centers, and through other strategic community partnerships.
Together, we look forward to advancing CHW training and strengthening access to behavioral health services for communities across Idaho.
The CHW Workforce in Behavioral Health Settings
This award will help the Academy build on the momentum in activity over the past three years of CHW workforce development and bolster our efforts to support CHW learning across the state. With this funding, we plan to:
- Enhance and expand behavioral health–focused CHW training content and Health Specific Modules (HSMs)
- Increase Idaho CHW Apprenticeship and Practicum placements in behavioral health settings
- Provide additional training support for CHWs working in behavioral health settings statewide, with an emphasis on those serving children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth in high-need communities
- Add a behavioral health sub-committee to our current CHW Academy advisory committee
- Empower CHWs to act as liaisons to enhance access to behavioral health services in Idaho
This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $500,000.00 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.