The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals (HRSA-25-066) aims to develop and expand community-based experiential training, such as field placements and internships, to increase the skills, knowledge, and capacity of students preparing to become mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals. The program focuses on addressing the needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth who have experienced trauma and are at risk for behavioral health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Workforce, Division of Nursing and Public Health, is the funding agency for this opportunity. The grant provides funding for pre-service training programs and optional in-service registered apprenticeships. Programs implementing only pre-service training can receive up to $350,000 per year, while those implementing both pre-service and in-service training can receive up to $500,000 per year. The estimated total funding available for Fiscal Year 2025 is $10.9 million, with approximately 29 grants expected.

Eligible applicants include state-licensed mental health nonprofit and for-profit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, faith-based and community-based organizations, hospitals, HRSA-funded health centers, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics, and other community-based clinical settings. Eligible applicants must provide accredited or state-approved behavioral health training programs and submit documentation as part of their application. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

The application deadline is April 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, with expected awards announced by September 1, 2025, and the project start date on September 1, 2025. A pre-application webinar will be available for interested applicants, with details on the HRSA program website.

Applicants must submit a project abstract, project narrative, budget and budget narrative, required attachments, and additional forms through Grants.gov. The application process requires registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov, which may take several weeks. Applications must follow HRSA formatting guidelines, include a student commitment letter, and demonstrate how they will meet training, supervision, and recruitment goals. The program requires grantees to provide at least 6 to 12 months of pre-service training, with a focus on underserved and high-need communities.

The evaluation criteria include purpose and need (10 points), response (50 points), impact (20 points), resources and capabilities (10 points), and support requested (10 points), totaling 100 points. Programs that include a registered apprenticeship (Level 2) can receive up to 5 additional points. High-need training sites, such as those in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) or rural locations, can also earn 5 additional points.

For further assistance, applicants can contact Nicole M. Wilkerson (BHWETPara25@hrsa.gov, 301-443-6752) for program and eligibility questions, and Vanessa Prosper (BHWETPara25@hrsa.gov, 301-443-0377) for financial and budget-related inquiries.