The purpose of this program is to support training programs that enhance and expand paraprofessionals knowledge, skills and expertise, and to increase the number of peer support specialists and other behavioral health-related paraprofessionals who work on integrated, interprofessional teams in providing services to children whose parents are impacted by opioid use disorders (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD), and their family members who are in guardianship roles. Additionally, a special focus is on demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the specific concerns for children, adolescents and transitional aged youth in high need and high demand areas2 who are at risk for mental health disorders and SUDs.

Eligible applicants include the following: State-licensed mental health nonprofit and for-profit organizations (see definition in Section VIII). These organizations must be able to support programs for pre-service or in-service training of paraprofessional child, adolescent and transitional aged youth mental health workers. These training programs can include behavioral health-related paraprofessional occupations such as peer support specialist, peer support counselor, community health worker, outreach worker, behavioral health aide, social services aide, substance abuse/addictions worker, youth worker, and promotor/a (for full list of occupations see the Paraprofessional definition in section VIII). For the purpose of this NOFO, these organizations may include academic institutions, including universities, community colleges and technical schools, which must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, as specified by the U.S. Department of Education. Domestic faith-based and community-based  organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations may apply for these funds, if otherwise eligible. Individuals are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. In addition to the 50 states, eligible entities include the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration OIFSP@hrsa.gov