The Health and Human Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) has awarded Affiliated Service Providers in Indiana, Inc. (ASPIN) 2.2 million dollars over four years to prepare paraprofessionals to work with families who may be coping with physical, mental, and emotional trauma that can lead to substance use and behavioral health disorders. This program will include a paid Department of Labor (DOL) certified CHW apprenticeship program.

The ASPIN Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals (BPP) will expand ASPIN’s existing paraprofessional certificate program for Community Health Workers (CHW) by the addition of an Opioid Basics certificate, Chronic Care Paraprofessional certificate, Opioid Impacted Family Support, and Basics of Domestic Violence certificate. This grant will help alleviate the stress on current medical staff and first responders who fielded over 87,000 domestic violence calls over the past two years in central Indiana by creating additional healthcare workers. 

The project will be accomplished with ASPIN and six community partners (Centerstone, Four County, Good Samaritan Hospital, Elkhart YWCA, Bowen Center, and Hamilton Center) who serve the targeted population. ASPIN will recruit CHWs in 11 rural and/or underserved Indiana counties to enter the behavioral health/primary care workforce or continue to college seeking an advanced degree in human services to support families & children who are dealing with behavioral health and substance use disorders.

The 11 counties targeted for the program include Bartholomew, Cass, Elkhart, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Hendricks, Knox, Marion, Miami, and Parke.

Eligibility Criteria:
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Must have a personal email address (a computer and internet access is required).

Coursework Curriculum

Coursework Curriculum	Hours
Part 1: Core CHW Certification	47
Part 2: Opioid Basics for CHW	26
Part 3: Opioid Impacted Family Support	18
Part 4: Chronic Care Conditions	23
Part 5: Basics of Domestic Violence	11
Part 6: Virtual Workplace Experiences	23
Estimated Hours to Complete Competencies	148

Apprenticeship on the Job Learning Competencies

Apprenticeship on the Job Learning Competencies	OJL Hours
I. Introduction to the CHW role and Orientation to the Work Environment	420
II. Development of Community‐based Networking and Advocacy	660
III. Health Literacy (customized to employer and community needs)	340
IV. Communication	340
V. Teaching and Supporting Others	320
Estimated Hours to Complete Competencies	2080

For more Information contact:
Keny Chapman, CCHW-CT
BPP Program Coordinator
kchapman@aspin.org
Apply Here

BPP Competency and Feedback Form
BPP Competency and Feedback Form – Supervisors/Journey Workers

Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc. (d.b.a. ASPIN) is a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit network that operates four major service lines: behavioral health services, professional training and workforce development, grants management, and health improvement. The mission of ASPIN is to provide innovative educational programs, resource management, program development, and network management in collaboration with all healthcare entities to address health disparities and who health management.

“This project: ‘the ASPIN Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program – Paraprofessional (BPP) is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2.2 million with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.”