Community Mental Health Workforce (CMHW) Training Program

The CMHW Training Program is a no-cost, stipend-supported, workforce development program focused on strengthening the community mental health workforce in the Inland Empire. The program is designed as a two-tiered pathway that combines academic learning with real-world experience.

  • Level 1 — Entry Level CMHW

  • Level 2 — Advanced (Apprenticeship) Level CMHW

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Program Overview

  • The Community Mental Health Worker (CMHW) Training Program is a no-cost, stipend-supported workforce

    development program designed to prepare individuals for a career as a Community Mental Health Worker.

    Funded under the HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals, the CMHW program develops and expands community-based experiential training to strengthen the behavioral health (BH) workforce in high-need communities. The program addresses the behavioral health workforce shortages by expanding access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services, integrating behavioral health into community-based systems, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in workforce development.

  • The CMHW Training Program prepares trainees to:

    • Work in integrated behavioral health and primary care settings

    • Serve children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth (TAY) who have experienced trauma

    • Address mental health, substance use, and social determinants of health

    • Deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS-aligned care)

    • Function effectively on interprofessional teams

  • Applicants must:

    • Meet one of the following:

      • Be U.S. citizen

      • a non-citizen national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence

      • a qualified alien under federal law

    • Possess a high school diploma or GED (minimum requirement)

    • Be interested in behavioral health workforce careers

    • Commit to serving high-need or underserved communities

    • Be proficient in English and able to participate in virtual learning

  • Participants will:

    • Prepare for entry-level behavioral health and integrated care careers

    • Gain hands-on experience in community-based and clinical settings

    • Receive structured mentorship and supervision

    • Develop competencies in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care

    • Strengthen their resume with a recognized CMHW Certificate

    • Build a pathway into apprenticeship and long-term employment

    • Obtain at least one BH certification of their choosing before completion

  • Career Pathways after Completion

    Graduates may pursue roles such as these and more:

    Community Mental Health Worker

    Behavioral Health Specialist

    Peer Support Specialist

    Case Management

    Care Coordination

    School-Based Behavioral Health Aide

    Registered Behavioral Health Specialist

    Advanced behavioral health certifications

    TMS/CBT/tDCS Technician/ Technotherapist

Level 1:

12-month training program culminating in CMHW Level 1 Certificate (Entry-Level)

$6,000 annual stipend

  • 100 hours of didactic instruction (100% online)

  • 400 hours of supervised experiential training

  • 100-hours

    Online, asynchronous, classroom training

    • Core CMHW competencies and foundational knowledge

    • Behavioral health, systems, policy & more

    • Taught by West Coast University (WCU) & Claremont Graduate University (CGU) Department of Public Health Faculty & selected guest lecturers.

  • 400-hours

    Online Synchronous & In-Person (Hybrid)

    • Supervised field experiences alongside coursework

    • Community site placements

    • Skills practice, observation, and application

    • Case reflections and debriefing

    • Competency-based evaluations

    • Practical skills check offs

    • Professional behavior review

    • Completion of required coursework and field hours

    • Complete semesters 1 & 2

    • Meet learning and field hour requirements

    • Eligible for CMHW Level 1 Certificate (Entry-Level CMHW)

Level 2:

12-month apprenticeship culminating in CMHW Level 2 Certificate (Advanced)

$8,500 annual stipend

    • Advanced behavioral health topics

    • Case management, policy, leadership

    • Technology applications & quality improvement

    • Taught by CSU faculty and visiting experts

    • Provide OTJ community & system reports

    • Assessments, care planning & navigation

    • Documentation, data use & reporting

    • Interprofessional collaboration

    • Regular supervision with BH professionals

    • Case consultation and feedback

    • Competency monitoring

    • Professional development support

    • Competency evaluation

    • Portfolio / performance review

    • Completion of apprenticeship hours

    • Pass / Attempt specialty track certification exam

  • 100-200 didactic hours

  • 1000+ hands-on training hours

  • Apprentices must attempt/pass certification exams specific to their chosen specialty track

Specialty Tracks

Level 2 participants choose one of four specialty tracks:

    • TMS, tDCS & emerging technologies

    Certification: TMS-technician (or equivalent)

    • Lifestyle & wellness coaching

    • Wellness promotion

    • Burnout prevention

    Certification: BHT/Wellness Coach (or equivalent)

    • Prevention

    • Early intervention

    • Recovery & support

    Certification: CCAPP RADT Trainee 1/RADT-1 (or equivalent)

    • Complex care coordination & navigation

    • Social prescribing

    Certification: CCM (or equivalent)

Email: workforce.training@ctris.org

Phone: (626) 783 1217