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 Last fall, the Center for Workforce Development made huge strides in building linguistic and cultural capacity in the behavioral health paraprofessional workforce upon the launch of its Skills Training for Equitable Pathways (STEP) in Behavioral Health program in late September. The goal鈥攖o build capacity in Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and West Roxbury鈥攚as made possible by a three-year grant from the . In its inaugural year, this free training program has reached more than a dozen behavioral health paraprofessionals and countless clients in local neighborhoods struggling to navigate the increasingly complex healthcare system.

 鈥淲e appreciate BWFH鈥檚 generous support and commitment to reducing systemic barriers to accessing mental health services in the Commonwealth,鈥� says Gina Dessources Benjamin, MSW, LICSW, 蜜桃tv Program Director, Community Health Workers Training Programs. The innovative program, targeting those priority areas closest to the hospital, is steeped with intention.

The Big-Picture Plan

 鈥淚t鈥檚 about reducing the barriers鈥攖o pursuing higher education or entering a new career pathway鈥攚hich starts with addressing social determinants of health,鈥� says Benjamin pointing to a trio of concerns that program participants might be struggling with. Keeping participants鈥� basic needs at the forefront鈥攂y providing culturally specific meals, transportation to and from trainings, and on-site childcare (all free of charge)鈥攊s eliciting success. Attendance rates for the fall and spring sessions were 98% and 91% respectively. 

Two tracks, each of which can accommodate 20 individuals, provide a full semester鈥檚 worth of learning at no cost to participants. In the fall, Track A delivered 12 weeks of ESOL for Behavioral Health classes and eight weeks of Digital and Financial Literacy Training sessions (courtesy of , a dedicated partner agency); and provided placement in an 80-hour paid internship at a local community-based organization. In the spring, Track B provides additional training; monthly professional mentoring sessions; career counseling and coaching; and a year-long, full-time, paid work placement at a local community-based organization.  

鈥淭he goal is for folks to bring their field experience, gleaned during the internship period, into the field and build upon it,鈥� says Benjamin, emphasizing the development of non-clinical skills鈥攆rom trauma-informed care to psychological first aid鈥攁s essential to on-the-job success.

The final piece of the puzzle lies in addressing the digital divide which goes hand-in-hand with building cultural and linguistic capacity. 鈥淕iving folks access to the technology, by providing laptops and internet connectivity for a full year, ensures successful completion of the program,鈥� says Benjamin, who emphasizes the tangible effects of eradicating barriers to success.

Collaborative Approach

Meeting the needs of clientele who are struggling, especially those from underserved communities, takes a village. STEP Program classes, held at in Hyde Park, are just one piece of the puzzle. According to Benjamin, actively increasing the number of folks who are trained to offer immediate relief and support鈥攊n languages and from cultural backgrounds similar to those folks having a behavioral health response鈥攊s proving invaluable at a time when stress levels are high across the board.

鈥淲e are positioning folks to bring this training into the field, where they can start having a significant impact [on the community] because they participated in STEP,鈥� says Benjamin. The flexibility to pivot, in order to meet the needs of the people being served and to provide support to community partners, is equally valuable. 

From where Benjamin sits, 鈥渨orking with community partners, to provide trained staff that we have not only prepared but also vetted for the workforce, is a blessing.鈥�

Spreading the Word

To date, Benjamin has been most struck by the individual stories she has heard鈥攅ach of which, while unique, echoes similar sentiments: Many participants are reinventing themselves after having worked as doctors, bankers, and professionals in their countries of origin; for others, this is their first academic and/or career opportunity in the United States, and they want to demonstrate to those on the sidelines, If I can do it, you can do it, too! Regardless of lived experience, almost all convey the experience of learning, growing and being vulnerable together as akin to family.

鈥淲e hear so often that, following an arduous journey to get here, people want to pay it forward and offer some semblance of hope [for others] who are starting over in the United States,鈥� says Benjamin. Which is why, among the inaugural cohort of participants, gratitude abounds鈥攁nd they are literally spreading the word.

鈥淔olks who have participated in the program are our best ambassadors,鈥� says Benjamin, pointing to word-of-mouth advertising that spreads quickly among family, friends, and neighbors.

Leveraging partnerships, from those in faith- and community-based organizations, only increases the ripple effect.

鈥淭hey are spreading the word because our participants are doing internships [under their roofs], their constituents are benefitting, and so these organizations become ambassadors, too,鈥� says Benjamin. In advance of graduation (slated for June 20) numbers for next fall are already on the rise鈥攁nd plans are underway to give those nearing completion a proper send off into the field. 

鈥淲e have designed a program where bringing multicultural experiences [to the work], and being multilingual, is viewed not only as a gift, but also as an opportunity鈥攁s opposed to a barrier or hindrance鈥攆or success,鈥� says Benjamin who is keen on shifting the narrative when it comes to getting folks on the path they find most meaningful, where they can have the most impact, without losing sight of the rich gifts and talents diverse individuals bring to the field.

鈥淚t鈥檚 our collective responsibility to grow and build together,鈥� says Benjamin, of an ongoing practice that must never be taken for granted. 鈥淲e have to be constantly intentional about putting folks on this path and taking the first step [which] takes tremendous courage and resilience.鈥�

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