In this issue:
- The Center for Learning turns Thirty!
- MHSS Train-the-Trainer Save-the-Dates
The Center for Learning Turns Thirty!
This summer, the University of Southern Maine Catherine Cutler Institute’s Center for Learning (CFL) marks its 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, the CFL has provided technical assistance, training logistics, policy consultation, and subject matter research in support of the behavioral health workforce.
In July 1996, the CFL was born out of a collaborative agreement between the Muskie School and the [then] Maine Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services to administer the adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician (MHRT) and children’s other Qualified Mental Health Professional-Children’s certification programs. Since then, the behavioral health landscape has continued to shift and evolve in both dramatic and subtle ways. The Offices within the [now] Department of Health and Human Services have undergone reorganizations and name changes. Mental health and substance use disorder treatment modalities have become person-centered, inclusive, and in the community whenever possible. People with lived experience are working in the field.
Today, we oversee the three MHRT programs on behalf of the Office of Behavioral Health:
MHRT I for adult behavioral health, daily living skills.
MHRT/C for adult behavioral health community integration services (aka “case management”).
And MHRT/CSP for adult behavioral health crisis services providers.
We also provide evaluation and exam support for the state’s eight MHRT/C non-academic courses and the Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS) training.
Some examples of our current projects include:
- We assisted the state in overhauling the MHSS curriculum in 2024 and updated the language within it this past spring.
- We are working with the state to create a new database to track the above certification programs and Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) trainings.
- Both the Provisional Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician I handbook and MHRT/CSP curriculum are undergoing revision.
- We continue to review college programs for approval for Pathway A MHRT/C and individual courses to meet MHRT/C Domain requirements.
We look forward to continuing to serve the adult behavioral health workforce here in the State of Maine.
MHSS Train-the-Trainer Save the Dates
As we canceled one of our MHSS Train-the-Trainers this past spring, we are going to reschedule it for late October/Early November. Dates to be announced soon.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
We must have a minimum of 10 attendees to run the training. The maximum number of attendees is 25. We are unable to save a space or spaces for your agency. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis among those who qualify. The registration flyer will be announced and posted to our website later this summer.
Here are the qualifications to apply:
- Must have completed MHSS as a student, either the current (2024-preferred) or previous curriculum.
- An Associate’s Degree or higher in a Human Services field with two years of relevant work experience in adult behavioral health (such as residential care and/or in-home support services). Five (5) years of relevant work experience may be substituted for the Associate’s Degree.
- Two years of recent experience training adult learners.
Your application must include:
- A cover letter describing why you would like to teach the MHSS course. If you are an agency trainer, please indicate whether you will offer the MHSS course to individuals outside of your agency.
- A current resume.
- Documentation that you have two years of recent experience training adult learners.
- Two current letters of recommendation from an agency administrator, supervisor, or colleague directly referencing your knowledge of adult learning theory; training skills; understanding of and commitment to concepts of mental health recovery.
- Application form from the training flyer.
To ensure that all agencies that need a trainer can attend one of the training slots, there may be a limit on the number of applicants accepted per agency.
As a reminder, this MHSS Train-the-Trainer trains on the content of the MHSS curriculum so that you can teach it to others. It does not train you how to teach adult learners.
Please let us know if you have questions or comments about any of this information by emailing cfl@maine.edu. Thank you and enjoy the Maine summer!