For Further Information Contact:                                                                                                9/14/2023
Paul M. Conrad, MPA
Director of Training & Workforce Development
pconrad@aspin.org
317.536.4681
www.aspin.org

Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc. (ASPIN) receives State of Indiana funds for the  Behavioral Health Workforce (BHWF) Recruitment and Retention Innovation (R&RI) grant.

In July of this year, as part of federal Coronavirus response legislation, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration – Division of Mental Health and Addiction made available a one-time funding opportunity – The Behavioral Health Workforce Recruitment and Retention Innovation Grant Program – to promote innovative, collaborative, and sustainable responses to behavioral health workforce challenges, with a strong focus on improving care access, continuity, and quality in Indiana.

The Behavioral Health Workforce Recruitment and Retention Innovation Grant Program aims to promote innovative, collaborative, and sustainable locally- and community-driven responses to behavioral health workforce challenges.

ASPIN will receive $750,000.00 from 9/1/23 to 12/31/26 to provide these services statewide. ASPIN is partnering with Bowen Center, HOSA, Future Achievers, MESH Coalition, A Safe House, Girls Inc. of Wayne County, Area 31 Career Center, and the Lafayette School Corporation.

As part of this grant ASPIN is focusing on the development and delivery of culturally responsive Mental Health Literacy Program for workforce development and behavioral health career pathway informational training.

ASPIN will gather data from community partners and stakeholders on the need for a behavioral health focused/Community Health Worker Preferred Graduation Pathway, including feedback from students across all socio-economic groups regarding high school graduation, seamless pathways directly into the behavioral health workforce, and desire to continue with college.

Additionally, ASPIN will provide CHW training to increase recruitment for behavioral health careers, while seeking additional CHW training funding sources throughout the grant period. ASPIN will train a total of twenty-nine youth from non-traditional learning institutes and 33 traditional high school students. Non-traditional learning adolescents 21 years of age or younger will receive training as Certified Community Health Workers, including employer paid full-time Department of Labor Certified Apprenticeship.

ASPIN strives to increase recruitment and retention for the Behavioral Health workforce, including all levels of careers from Certified Community Health Workers to nurses to therapists to providers. Obtaining Industry Certification for Indiana’s Graduation Pathways and Preferred Certification Designation, ASPIN will be able to provide this opportunity for high school students across the state, including the work-based learning, opening the door into the field.

ASPIN is committed to the successful development of certification of these programs and pathways and wants to ensure its longevity and sustainability beyond this funding opportunity.

Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc. d/b/a ASPIN is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit behavioral health provider and education network. Incorporated in November of 1995, ASPIN offers access to clinical providers in over 50 locations throughout the state of Indiana. The ASPIN Behavioral Health Clinical Network maintains CARF accreditation under the Business and Services Management Network accreditation standards. The Behavioral Health Clinical Network is also a certified Managed Care Provider (MCP) for the State of Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.