Pilot program introduces students to mental health pathways

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A new initiative offers career pathways to Kentucky high school students interested in behavioral or mental health careers. 

The Kentucky Department of Postsecondary Education, in partnership with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and its Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, has launched CLIMB 2.0. Standing for Career Ladders in Mental and Behavioral Health, the program builds on CLIMB 1.0, which provided adults credentials leading to further career opportunities in behavioral health.

CPE said eight Kentucky high schools have been invited to participate, allowing students to earn certifications enabling them to work in the behavioral health field upon graduation and/or pursue additional postsecondary credentials. They include:

• Floyd County High School
• Prestonsburg High School
• Betsy Lane High School
• Harlan County High School
• Harlan High School
• Hazard High School
• Perry County Central High School
• Buckhorn High School 

Hazard Community and Technical College, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College and Big Sandy Community and Technical College will pilot the program, CPE said, with plans to replicate it at all other Kentucky Community and Technical College System campuses.

“CLIMB 2.0 represents a strategic leap forward in workforce preparation,” said Aaron Thompson, CPE president. “Behavioral health is such an important industry for maintaining the wellness of our citizens, and we need thousands of well-qualified, credentialed Kentuckians to help meet the needs of our communities. CLIMB 2.0 will help us do that.”

Some of CLIMB 2.0’s features include the following, CPE said:

• Dual credit and Career Technical Education programs aligned with postsecondary credentials in human services and health sciences.
• Summer bridge programs that allow students to accelerate credentialing and career readiness between school years.
• Mentorship placements in clinical and other health care and behavioral health facilities through the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health.
• Curricula based on core competencies for certified community health workers in Kentucky, developed by the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Learn more about the program online.