Project Type(s):
Training
Our goals for this project include (1) designing a competency framework and learning objectives that define the role and scope of practice for a BHSS; (2) scaling the role for Washington state by creating processes for integrating the BHSS Clinical Training Program into existing four-year degree programs in the behavioral healthcare field; (3) partnering with Washington State higher education institutions to adopt the BHSS Clinical Training Program; (4) developing curricular resources to share with Washington State colleges and universities including an Educator’s Guide; (5) collaborating with government agencies, policy groups, and practicum partners to implement the BHSS role in employment settings. Department of Health approved programs deliver BHSS curriculum. For more information about approved education programs, visit the Department of Health (DOH) webpage, the Behavioral Health Support Specialist Workforce Development Project webpage, or contact:
Bill O’Connell, Ed.D.
Director, BHSS Workforce Development Project
Savannah Tidwell, BS
tidwell1@uw.edu
Program Manager, BHSS Workforce Development Project
Project Period:
July 1, 2021 — June 30, 2026
Unknown
Funding Type(s):
Foundation, Philanthropy
Ballmer Group
Geographic Area(s):
Washington
Practice Type(s):
Primary Care
Patient Population(s):
Adults
Targeted Condition(s):
Anxiety, Depression
We aim to expand Washington’s behavioral health workforce and increase access to evidence-informed behavioral health treatment that is culturally responsive, appropriate, and timely. We do this through the introduction of a new bachelor-prepared provider type called a Behavioral Health Support Specialist (BHSS). The BHSS Clinical Training Program prepares students to be successful contributors to team-based care in a variety of settings. Working under supervision, a BHSS provides brief, evidence-based interventions for behavioral health conditions, and applies measurement-based care strategies to track patient progress, and facilitates referrals to specialty services within the community. Watch a video describing the BHSS. Review this sample job description for details. For more information about DOH approved education programs, please visit the DOH website or contact us at bhsswa.uw.edu.
In 2020, the UW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences received a gift from Ballmer Group to develop curricular materials to train a BHSS as well as identify pathways toward scaling the role for Washington State. A particular focus of the gift was to build behavioral health workforce in rural and under resourced regions of the state. The UW BHSS Workforce Development Project launched in July 2021 and will continue through the end of 2026. The BHSS Workforce Development Project serves as a catalyst for this new workforce role and consults with educational programs, practicum sites, professional associations, professional advocacy groups, employers, policy groups, payers and government regulatory agencies. A goal for the BHSS workforce project is to train 50 students and employ 40 BHSSs by 2026.
On May 4, 2023, Governor Inslee signed SSB 5189 sponsored by Senator Yasmin Trudeau of Tacoma to establish a Behavioral Health Support Specialist in Washington State. The legislation required the Department of Health to establish a BHSS certification, the Health Care Authority to include the BHSS as a provider type in the state Medicaid plan, and private payors to include the BHSS in their provider networks.
The BHSS project receives funding from the Ballmer Group to explore, design, develop, and implement curriculum for a BHSS in Washington. The project team has no financial conflicts of interest.
- Anna Ratzliff, MD, PhD, Professor, Lead Administrator
- Bill O’Connell, EdD, Associate Professor, Program Director and Subject Matter Expert
- Melissa Farnum, MA, Senior Instructional Designer
- Sara Ochoa, MEd, Instructional Designer
- Brenna Renn, PhD, Affiliate Faculty, Subject Matter Expert
- Patrick Raue, PhD, Professor, Subject Matter Expert
- Savannah Tidwell, BS, Program Manager
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Contact Us
If you would like to hear more about this work or schedule a meeting with our Program Director, contact us at: BHSSWA@uw.edu
Project Flyer
Download this project flyer about the BHSS Clinical Training Program.
