NEW DATES!
MHSS Train-the-Trainer (and recertification):
The Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS) trainer recertification and new trainer Train-the-Trainer sessions are scheduled for March 2024.
Trainer Recertification (one full day):
- Monday March 4 in Bangor, OR
- Monday March 11 in Augusta
Train-the Trainer (three full days):
- Tuesday – Thursday March 5-7 in Bangor, OR
- Tuesday – Thursday March 12-14 in Augusta
More detailed registration information is coming soon!
MHRT/C APPLICATION REMINDERS
1) MHRT/C Certification 90-Day Requirement
Applicants who apply for their Provisional MHRT/C certificate as part of Pathway C, have a requirement set forth by the Office of Behavioral Health to complete any outstanding Priority Domains (1-3) within 90 days. The Department enforces this requirement through random audits of employee files during agency site visits. Therefore, it’s important that as these Domains are completed, documentation of that completion is kept in the employee’s file. The Center for Learning (CFL) does not monitor this 90-day requirement.
Note: Documentation that the Pathway C individual is enrolled in an approved college program that meets Pathway A exempts them from the state’s 90-day rule.
A Provisional MHRT/C is valid for one year. When the individual completes half of the missing Domain requirements, including any missing Priority Domains, they may reapply to the CFL for an updated certificate valid for a second year. They must submit a new application form and documentation of the completed domain training. They will receive another full year to complete any remaining Domain requirements.
Once they complete all eight Domains, they apply to receive the two-year Full MHRT/C certificate.
2) Credit for Work Experience (CWE):
One option to satisfy the MHRT/C domain requirements is to use related work experience in adult behavioral health care. Individuals who hold a Pathway C Provisional MHRT/C may use a six-month period to meet one (1) Domain requirement. Those who hold a Pathway B MHRT/C certificate may use a six-month period to meet two (2) Domain requirements.
A clinical supervisor needs to indicate an exact six-month period on the CWE form(s), including the date. Example: February 1, 2022, to July 31, 2022. Listing February – July could be viewed as five months, from the start of February to the start of July.
CWE may be used for up to four Domain requirements, provided the applicant has the relevant work experience and months of full-time employment. CWE does not apply to Domains 1 or 3.
3) Submitting Paperwork for MHRT/C Certification:
Please remind staff that every time they submit paperwork to our office, they must include an application form. If they previously used the online web portal, they may log back in, and update the contact information. They should then delete their previous attachments prior to uploading their new ones. The online web portal is limited to six attachments.
If the employee uses the Word or Adobe versions of the application, they must save it to their computer/device after completing it prior to submitting it to our office. It might sound obvious but blank application forms arrive nearly every week!
Failure to provide an application form delays the review process.
4) Renewal Forms:
Applying for a second Provisional or Pathway B MHRT/C is NOT a renewal. It is another regular application to receive a second-year certificate. Only individuals with the two-year Full MHRT/C completing continuing education to renew their Full MHRT/C should use the renewal form.
The University of Southern Maine is an EEO/AA institution and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
Contact us here:
cfl@maine.edu