About

HISTORY

Like many other industries, the Florida behavioral health care industry has experienced an acute shortage of workers in hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities. Apprenticeships are one possible solution to the deficit with a proven history of success in providing quality workers in less time than other traditional training programs. In 2019, the Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) and FADAA received a five-year grant from the federal Department of Labor to build Florida’s first behavioral health apprenticeship program. During those five years, FBHA proudly created and supported Florida’s first apprenticeship program for behavioral health professionals. During the existence of the program, FBHA enrolled over 138 apprentices and graduated nearly 10 professionals. While the grant period ended in February 2024, FBHA will continue the apprenticeship efforts, and individuals currently participating in the program will be able to complete the curriculum and earn certification.

What is a Behavioral Health Apprenticeship?

A Behavioral Health Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers in the behavioral health field can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a nationally recognized credential in this field.

PAID JOB

Earn a competitive wage from day one

EDUCATION

Gain knowledge from on-the-job learning and job-related classroom training

EDUCATION

Earn a portable credential within your industry

Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Opportunities

Approved & Available

Peer Specialist
Addictions Counselor

Behavioral Health Technician

Peer Specialist
Peer Specialists are individuals who self-identify as living in recovery from mental health and/or substance use conditions who use that lived experience to help others with behavioral health conditions through role modeling, coaching, and mentoring while connecting them to resources and the community, and advocating for their wishes and rights.

Addictions Counselor
Addiction counselors can support anyone with drug or alcohol addiction throughout the treatment process and create an individualized plan for recovery, relapse prevention, and aftercare. Through counseling, psycho-educational groups, and other interventions, addiction counselors can help a person who is misusing substances at any stage of readiness to achieve and maintain recovery.

Behavioral Health Technician
Behavioral Health Technicians are individuals who assist clinical staff by providing support services to adults or children who are receiving treatment for substance use and/or mental health conditions in residential programs, inpatient settings, or community-based programs.