Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has initiated a new project aimed at enhancing training access for behavioral health providers. A contract was awarded to Public Consulting Group (PCG) after a competitive bidding process to develop the Capacity Building Center (CBC).

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, stated, “The goal of the capacity building center is to improve the ability of the state’s behavioral health workforce to provide care to Michigan families by expanding access to training and learning communities.” She emphasized that this initiative is part of Michigan's ongoing efforts to increase access to behavioral health services.

Jen MacBlane, PCG human services manager, expressed pride in partnering with MDHHS and the Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports. “Through our partnership, the CBC will deliver essential comprehensive training, provide valuable resources and build workforce capacity for behavioral health professionals,” she said.

The CBC aims to offer specific children's behavioral health training for public mental and behavioral health providers contracted through Community Mental Health Service Programs and Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans. It will serve as a centralized resource where providers can access both online and in-person training opportunities. Initially, over 200 trainings are expected to be offered to more than 5,000 providers.

Behavioral health providers will have the capability to register for trainings via a centralized website. The CBC will also establish Learning Communities for continuous quality improvement through regular meetings and activities.

Initial trainings coordinated through the CBC will cover topics such as Michigan’s Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment tool, Intensive Care Coordination with Wraparound, Children’s Waiver Program, Serious Emotional Disturbance Waiver, among other Medicaid-funded specialty services.

MDHHS plans further collaboration with PCG to expand training opportunities following initial implementation and evaluation phases.

Robert Sheehan, CEO of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan commented on this development: “The creation of the CBC is a powerful addition...to sustain and strengthen the skills of clinicians in the state’s public mental health system.”

The launch of the CBC website is scheduled for May 2025. For more information, inquiries can be directed via email at MDHHS-CBC@michigan.gov.