Sedalia, Missouri – Feb. 9, 2023 – State Fair Community College is offering an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Behavioral Health Support degree. This program consists of web-conferenced courses and two practicums. The program is set to begin Aug. 21, but students need to apply for the program by April 1.
The AAS in Behavioral Health Support (BHS) program will provide students with the education and skills needed to work in a variety of behavioral health or substance abuse support roles. Students will train for entry-level positions such as care coordinators, community support specialists and case managers. Upon completion of the program, students will have the required skills to provide quality case management to clients in a variety of settings.
Students will be able to properly complete client documentation from intake to discharge including appropriate assessments, safety plans, treatment plans, and discharge summaries. They will be trained to use case-management skills such as goal setting and behavior intervention for clients in the areas of behavioral health, substance abuse disorders, chronic health, and family and youth issues.
BHS graduates will be qualified to work with other behavioral health and medical professionals as part of a treatment team. They will know how to work within their own competency to provide services to those in need by valuing the dignity and worth of each client and recognizing the importance of the human relationship.
Graduates may begin working immediately in state, county and local human service agencies, substance abuse treatment programs, rehabilitation centers, correction facilities, retirement facilities, schools, and other human service agencies. At this time, every SFCC student who successfully completes the program will have an opportunity to interview with a possible offer of employment. Some employers that Missouri Department of Mental Health contracts to provide services to clients are offering graduates approximately $45,760 to $49,920 per year.
One employer SFCC’s BHS program is working with to meet the growing demand for trained behavioral health workers is Burrell Behavioral Health.
“This partnership with the Behavioral Health Support program at State Fair Community College is directly in line with Burrell’s commitment to grow our workforce and help employees advance within the field,” said Mat Gass, Central Region president of Brightli, Burrell’s parent company. “With demand for mental health services at an all-time high, partnering with trusted academic institutions like SFCC to train the next generation of community support specialists is a great opportunity. We look forward to supporting these students during their academic careers and watching them contribute to this essential workforce upon graduation.”
Perspective students need to apply for admission to SFCC and complete the BHS application requirements and pass drug and background checks. All application materials must be received by the BHS program by 3 p.m. April 1. There is no cost to apply for admission or apply to the BHS program, but applicants will need to cover their costs for drug test, background check and required immunizations. Admission to SFCC does not mean automatic acceptance to the BHS program.
To apply or for more information, go to http://www.sfccmo.edu/bhs
