Mental & Behavioral Health

The Mental and Behavioral Health pathway was established to further develop the pathway opportunities for this growing sector of the healthcare industry. The Pathway team consisted of Camden, Mercer, and Rowan College of South Jersey Community Colleges.  

The Mental Health Technician curriculum was revised to reflect current needs in the mental health field and is now termed Mental Health Support Technician. This is an entry-level program designed to enhance basic skills and prepare students for entry-level employment opportunities. A Mental Health Support Technician provides direct patient care to promote safety, comfort, and a therapeutic environment for patients by assisting them with activities of daily living and attending to behavioral problems, when necessary, in addition to crisis intervention. When in hospital settings, the Mental Health Support Technician may perform routine nursing tasks such as taking a pulse, blood pressure, and respiration rates. This program is ideal for adult literacy and high school students as an introduction to this high-demand field. 

The team explored the opportunities available via the existing Dual Credit courses. The ideal scenario uncovered would allow high school students to participate in Addiction related programs (ADD.CA or ADD.AAS) throughout their high school career and achieve their diploma while simultaneously working towards their certificate or degree in Addictions Counseling. These programs are continuously marketed through various recruitment efforts at colleges throughout the state.  

The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Apprenticeship being administered through the HealthWorks grant was evaluated for credit opportunity. It was determined that Apprentices would be eligible to participate in the Addictions degree programs with the intent of taking only those classes that are required for the CADC certification. Participating students are eligible for the credits regardless of the non-traditional entry point, which earns them up to 24 credits at Camden County College (CCC). 

Rowan College of South Jersey has aligned the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) for an apprenticeship with 144 RTI hours and 2,000 on-the-job training hours. The apprenticeship curriculum, submitted for approval with the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship, was done in collaboration with an employer partner, Center for Family Services. The CPRS apprenticeship program includes a certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist; additional credentials to embed into the curriculum are in development. 

The Pathway team explored a streamlined process to award credits for students who complete the Community Health Worker Related Technical Instruction (RTI) portion of the Apprenticeship. Thomas Edison University requested additional information for the review of this program RTI. A credit award recommendation is expected on or before March 31, 2023. 

An employer education tool kit was created to explain the process and benefits of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. The Registered Apprenticeship and Mentorship Program (RAMP) tool kit was completed in collaboration with employer partners and experts from NJ Mental Health Association with feedback from representatives from the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship.