This program is designed to prepare paraprofessionals in healthcare and school settings to provide specialized enhanced care coordination to children, youth, and their caregivers impacted by opioid use disorders (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD).
Building Futures Together is a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program. Each trainee will receive a stipend of up to $13,500 to defray the costs of program participation and program graduates will receive a certificate from the University of New Hampshire and a nationally recognized Department of Labor Certificate in Behavioral Health.
Next Cohort Begins August 2025
Enrollment for New Cohort
We will begin accepting applications for Cohort 6 by May May 15, 2025. This cohort will focus on training individuals to work with pregnant people or families with infants and young children that are impacted by substance use, age birth through 5. We will accept 18–20 trainees for this cohort.
Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2025, or until all spots are filled. Preference will be given to applicants based on meeting the eligibility requirements for the program and the date their application was received.
This cohort will follow the Track 2 schedule for trainees, which includes a specific course focusing on Infant Mental Health and the effects substance use and opioid use has on prenatal and early childhood development (0–6 years old). The Infant Mental Health course will be taught by UNH faculty member Ngozi Enelamah from the College of Health and Human Services Department of Social Work. Nicholas Mian from UNH Manchester Life Sciences Department will teach a course on the effects of OUD/SUD on families and child development. We have also partnered with NHTI, Concord’s Community College, to offer the Certified Recovery Support Worker course.
We strongly encourage only individuals who are (or plan to be) working with newborn and/or young children and their families to apply for this cohort.
Eligibility
- Individuals who work in “paraprofessional” behavioral healthcare positions, including occupations such as mental health worker, peer support counselor, peer support specialist, community health worker, outreach worker, social services aide, mental health worker, substance abuse/addictions worker, youth worker, recovery coach, recovery manager, recovery mentor, recovery support specialist, and recovery coach/guide.
- Paraprofessionals who are interested and motivated to pursue this step in their careers.
- High School diploma or equivalent required. Please do not apply if you have a bachelor’s and master’s degree; this would not be considered paraprofessional level.
- Must be 18 years old and a citizen of the United States or a foreign national having in their possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.
- Applicants who have behavioral health related lived experience are encouraged to apply.
