MDHHS launches Capacity Building Center to improve access to training for behavioral health providers

LANSING, Mich. - To help improve access to training for behavioral health providers, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded a contract to Public Consulting Group (PCG) following a competitive bid process to develop and implement a Capacity Building Center (CBC).

"The goal of the capacity building center is to improve the ability of the state's behavioral health workforce to provide care to Michigan families by expanding access to training and learning communities," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "It is designed to support retention and recruitment of behavioral health providers and improve the quality of services provided. This is part of the state's continuing commitment to increase access to behavioral health services."

"PCG is proud to partner with MDHHS and the Bureau of Children's Coordinated Health Policy and Supports in launching the Capacity Building Center," said Jen MacBlane, PCG human services manager. "Through our partnership, the CBC will deliver essential comprehensive training, provide valuable resources and build workforce capacity for behavioral health professionals to improve the quality of services for children and their families in Michigan."

The CBC will offer select children's behavioral health training for public mental and behavioral health providers contracted through Community Mental Health Service Programs and Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans. It will provide a centralized resource for providers to access training opportunities to continue to grow capacity and knowledge of those supporting children, youth and their families. Training will be provided both online and in-person and it is anticipated that initially more than 200 trainings will be offered to more than 5,000 providers.

Behavioral health providers will have the ability to register, attend, complete and receive credit for available trainings through a centralized website. The CBC will also develop and operate Learning Communities, networks that will support continual quality improvement opportunities for providers of children's behavioral health services through ongoing meetings and related activities.

Initial trainings expected to be coordinated through the CBC include the following topics:

• Michigan's Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment tool.

• Intensive Care Coordination with Wrapround.

• Children's Waiver Program and Serious Emotional Disturbance Waiver.

• Other Medicaid-funded specialty behavioral health services for children, youth and families.

MDHHS will continue to work with PCG to add additional training opportunities once initial implementation and evaluation of the CBC is complete.

"The creation of the CBC is a powerful addition to the comprehensive clinical training initiative MDHHS has pioneered in partnership with CMHA over the past several decades," said Robert Sheehan, CEO of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan. "The CBC further strengthens Michigan's place at the forefront, nationally, in the provision of education and training on cutting edge and proven clinical practices designed to sustain and strengthen the skills of clinicians in the state's public mental health system."

The CBC website is slated to launch in May 2025. For additional information, email [email protected].

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