Filling the Gap: Offering Recovery Coach Training & Building Mentorships
Because of the growing need for behavioral health professionals to fill gaps in care in Maine, the RBHWC offers numerous peer support training online as well as in person. Such initiatives bring new workers into the behavioral health workforce; support early career staff to develop new skills; and offer opportunities to health providers to enhance their skill in treatment and intervention for behavioral health needs.
"This work keeps me mindful ... and sets me up to be able to work in all these [behavioral health] settings."
—Danielle, RBHWC training participant
Through these behavioral health training opportunities, MCD’s RBHWC team aims to develop Maine’s behavioral health workforce to meet existing and future health care needs, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Current Training Events:
Currently, RBHWC offers three ongoing virtual events throughout 2023 for those who are in recovery, affected others, and allies and want to pursue career in peer support or as a recovery coach, as well as for prescribers and office staff who already work in behavioral health:
- Recovery Jobs for Beginners Fall 2023:People in recovery, affected others, and allies who live or work in these Maine counties: Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington. This virtual series fcuses on accelerating a person's entry into and progression in behavioral health careers.
- Recovery Jobs for Beginners ECHO: Specifically, for those who live in Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington counties in Maine, this virtual series connects participants with mentorship opportunities.
- Medication for People with Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Training: Specifically for prescribers and staff who treat patients for opioid use disorder (OUD) and work in Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington counties in Maine, this virtual series connects participants to others who are experienced in treating patients for OUD.
- Project ECHO: Supervision in Behavioral Health: This training is for individuals who either already work in supervisory roles in behavioral health or are looking to move into a supervisory role. Attendees will be provided opportunities to build a network and heat case presentations from those who have experience with challenging situations in their roles as a supervisor.
"The little things peers do for their people mean so much to them because they're simply giving them the respect and value we all need. We've lost family, we've lost friends, but we also know what it's like to come through it."
—Kim, RBHWC training participant
People with lived experience of SUD often have the best skillsets and deepest connection to behavioral health work, but their histories and trauma may get in the way of employment opportunities. Similarly, doctors, providers, and medical staff may need help to understand how best to support people in recovery. The RBHWC seeks to raise confidence, provide knowledge, and remove barriers to the workforce for those who have much to bring to their communities.
MCD's aim is for the RBHWC’s work to provide an infusion of talent, skills, and stability to Maine’s rural behavioral health so that people who need services will be able to access them with the ease, compassion, and quality they deserve.
