BHA Training Center BHA Course Descriptions

BHA I Courses

General Orientation CHAPCB Sec.8.20.050

Description: This 28 contact hour course describes the Alaska Tribal Health System and the origins and services provided by Community Health Aides, Dental Health Aide Therapists and Behavioral Health Aides. It covers the process of BHA certification, introduces the electronic Behavioral Health Aide Manual, and reviews the topic of documentation. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Orientation to Behavioral Health Services CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.100

Description: (Formerly titled Orientation to Village-Based Behavioral Health Services.) This 8 contact hour course provides an introduction to providing behavioral health services in a village based setting. It covers the importance of providing prevention, early intervention, and case management in rural communities. Emergency behavioral health response protocols and the use of clinical supervision to support quality of services will be evaluated. Students will create a strength-based professional development plan that identifies their strengths, areas for development, and their training and supervision needs. Students will present the plans to their supervisor and instructor to gather feedback. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Ethics, Consent, Confidentiality and Privacy CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.110

Description: (Formerly offered as two separate courses Ethics and Consent 6 hours and Confidentiality and Privacy 6 hours.) This 16 contact hour course will provide foundational and practice information about confidentiality and privacy requirements, and the importance of professional ethics and the differences among ethics, policies, and laws.  This includes the Federal Privacy Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and 42 CFR and their application to behavioral health services. Client rights, BHA advocacy, exceptions to confidentiality, client consent, and protecting privacy, including written and electronic records will be reviewed. Dual relationships and the need for boundaries within a village based setting will be discussed. Students will identify and develop responses to common confidentiality, privacy, ethical and consent situations and also practice obtaining appropriate authorizations and consent in various settings. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Human Development CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.116

Description: This 8 contact hour course will introduce students to foundational and practice information regarding the development of the individual throughout the lifespan. This course will focus on the prevention of and early interventions for common behavioral health concerns. Trainees will participate in discussion about theories of human development, including attachment theories, life stages, and family roles. Applied exercises will be used to help trainees recognize the stages of development and use information about developmental stages to inform behavioral health interventions and treatment.

Course type: Self-paced online

Introduction to Behavioral Health Concerns CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.125

Description: (Formerly titled Introduction to Behavioral Health Services.) This 24 contact hour course will provide students with an understanding of what behavioral health is. It will provide instruction, information, and critical skill development for BHA students to work effectively with individuals experiencing mental health, substance abuse, and other common behavioral health concerns. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Introduction to Counseling CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.135

Description: This 12 contact hour course will provide a basic orientation to the counseling profession. The course will cover effective counseling skills, client and counselor roles, and interviewing and listening skills. Students will learn about problem identification, goal development, and action planning, while demonstrating the use of the client centered approach. 

Course type: (Blended) self-paced and instructor-led online

Introduction to Documentation CHAPCB Sec.8.20.140

Description: This 12 contact hour course provides instruction and skill development for Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) students in the area of the clinical documentation.  BHA students will review the essential components of a behavioral health record, develop their understanding the relationship between assessment, treatment plan and progress notes, and learn and practice writing high quality progress notes according to standard formats.  This course also addresses special topics in documentation including the role of third party payors and accrediting bodies, keeping records for family and group treatment, and ethical issues in documentation.  

Course type: (Blended) self-paced and instructor-led online

Introduction to Case Management CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.145

Description: (Formerly titled Survey of Community Resources and Case Management.) This 8 contact hour course provides information about the identification and use of available community resources related to coordinating client services and case management. Students will practice evaluating the appropriateness of potential agency-based and other community resources. Applied exercises in identification of resources and case management will be provided. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Working with Diverse Populations CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.150

Description: This 12 contact hour course provides information for students to gain the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This course also provides opportunities for BHA students to build awareness of how personal and historical trauma impacts clients.

Course type: Self-paced online

Introduction to Group Counseling CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.155

Description: This 8 contact hour course will cover types and uses of groups, and how to encourage and support self-help groups. Students will learn how to assess the potential for establishing groups, and evaluating group counseling dynamics. Privacy and documentation of group counseling will be discussed. Applied exercises in which students may practice group counseling skills will be provided. 

Course Type: Instructor-led online

Crisis Intervention CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.160

Description: This 16 contact hour course will explore common causes of stress and crises and the differences between the two. Students will learn how to assess for levels of risk and how to determine potential interventions for each level of risk. Students will learn ways to support their clients and communities during and after a crisis, including finding opportunities for positive change following a crisis. 

Course type: Self-paced online

HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.165

Description: This 8 contact hour course will provide information on universal precautions, health status, risk reduction, and counseling support regarding hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, HIV, and other infectious diseases that pose common risks for individuals with substance use disorders. Testing, counseling, treatment, and referral options will be discussed, in additional to how to approach lifestyle and risk issues. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Community Approach to Prevention CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.170

Description: (Formerly titled Community Approach to Promoting Behavioral Health.) This 8 contact hour course will provide information on universal precautions, health status, risk reduction, and counseling support regarding hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, HIV, and other infectious diseases that pose common risks for individuals with substance use disorders. Testing, counseling, treatment, and referral options will be discussed, in addition to how to approach lifestyle and risk issues. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Family Systems I CHAPCB Sec.8.20.175

Description: This 16 contact hour course will provide an introduction to foundational information on family systems theory, family roles, and the effects of behavioral health disorders on individuals and families with an emphasis on Alaska Native family systems. Communication within families, responses to common family stress and understanding family roles will be reviewed. This course will focus on teaching students to support healthy families by identifying strengths and working with families to develop strategies to promote health and healing. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Maintaining Health, Wellness and Balance CHAPCB Sec.8.20.180

Description: (Formerly Recovery, Health, Wellness and Balance.) This 8 contact hour course will provide information on how personal health, wellness, and balance affect the ability to provide behavioral health services. Students will learn strategies for coping with personal and work-related stress to prevent burn out, including supervision and self-care. Applied exercises to help students practice skills associated with the maintenance of their own health and wellness will be provided. 

Course type: Self-paced online

BHA II Courses

Psychophysiology and Behavioral Health CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.220

Description: This 16 contact hour course provides instruction, information, and skill development about how the mind and body interact. Students will learn in depth about different parts of the body and brain so they can understand how these parts and functions of the body impact their client’s functioning, thinking, feelings, and behavior. Additionally, students will learn about personality, sleep, and emotions. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Introduction to Co-Occurring Disorders CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.225

Description: This 12 contact hour course will cover common mental health and substance use disorders such as anxiety, mood, personality, conduct, and thought disorders, in addition to how disorders can co-exist and affect treatment services and processes. Through applied exercises, students will practice their developing skills associated with identifying, and describing these disorders and how they coexist. Relapse prevention techniques as they relate to both substance use and mental health disorders will be discussed. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Tobacco Use and Treatment CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.228

Description: (Formerly titled Tobacco Dependency Treatment.) This 8 contact hour course will present information on the magnitude of tobacco use, including the prevalence of disease and death in Alaska. Students will learn about the biology of tobacco use and pharmacotherapy used to treat tobacco use disorders, including treating tobacco users with medical conditions. Students will learn best practices for tobacco treatment, while considering the implications of Alaska Native tobacco use patterns. Available statewide and regional treatment resources will be discussed. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Practice Application CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.230

Description: This 12 contact hour course will address foundational information about the philosophical and practice basis of evaluating behavioral health disorders. Students will learn to use criteria contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and the use of DSM-derived screening tools to develop working impressions and to contribute information to clinical diagnosis. 

Course type: (Blended) Self-paced and Instructor-led online

Advanced Interviewing Skills CHAPCB Sec.8.20.235

Description: This 16 contact hour course will introduce methods of interviewing that can be utilized with clients throughout the counseling process. Students will gain an understanding of fundamental theories of the various counseling methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention. Students will learn specific skills from each method and demonstrate these skills throughout the course in two, instructor-led, live classes. 

Course type: (Blended) Self-paced and Instructor-led online

American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria Practice Application CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.240

Description: This 12 contact hour course provides students with a philosophical and practice basis for  evaluating substance use disorders. The course will cover the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Patient Placement Criteria. Applied exercises will provide students with an opportunity to determine client placement recommendations using the ASAM dimensions. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Case Studies and Applied Case Management CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.245

Description: (Formerly titled Case Studies and Clinical Case Management.) This 8 contact hour course provides students with the opportunity to discuss and analyze case studies for various behavioral health issues. The evaluation of the availability and usefulness of different services will be discussed within the context of the case studies. Additionally, students will participate in applied exercises to evaluate community resources, gain practice presenting case reviews, and recognize the importance of multidisciplinary teams and making and receiving referrals. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Traditional Health-Based Practices CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.250

Description: This 8 contact hour course teaches using Alaska Native written resources and the oral tradition of storytelling. These practices will teach students about the history of traditional lifestyles and health practices among Alaska Native cultural groups prior to Western contact while also focusing on holistic wellness through Alaska Native traditional values.  

Course type: (Blended) Self-paced and Instructor-led online

Intermediate Therapeutic Group Counseling CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.255

Description: This 16 contact hour course provides an in-depth exploration of the therapeutic group process and its application in village-based practice. Topics include determining the criteria for participation in groups of various types, how to screen for whether candidates are appropriate for participation, the role and function of therapeutic group leaders, and the benefits and limitations of therapeutic group services. Students will participate in role playing group scenarios and will facilitate a group with supervisor observation and evaluation within 6 months of the completion of the course. 

Course type: Instructor-led online

Applied Crisis Management CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.260

Description: This 8 contact hour course will provide students with knowledge and skills related to debriefing village based crises and the identification, prevention and basic treatment options of Posttraumatic Stress Disorders. Students will learn skills related to the evaluation of individual, family, and community strengths and risks following crises, and for how to access necessary resources after a crisis event. Short and long term intervention models for responding to crises will be reviewed. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Community Needs and Action CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.270

Description: (Formerly titled Community Development Approach to Prevention.) This 12 contact hour course will present students with practical information, discussion, and applied activities to prepare them to develop and implement behavioral health prevention efforts within a village-based context. Students will explore the foundational philosophies of community development and will then engage in the processes of identifying key issues, choosing appropriate prevention strategies based on community readiness, and writing a development strategy plan. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Family Systems II CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.275

Description: This 16 contact hour course will provide information related to family systems, child development,  parenting, and couple’s issues. The implications for behavioral health treatment within these systems will be reviewed. Students will learn how to teach basic communication, parenting and anger management skills in a clinical setting. Information regarding reporting abuse or neglect, and ethics and confidentiality will be discussed. Students will learn strategies for working with disrupted families and other agencies involved in the family system. 

Course type: Self-paced online

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Behavioral Health Documentation CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.280

(This course is required for those applying for BHA II certification after November 1, 2023.)

Description: This 8 contact hour course will provide in depth information regarding quality documentation of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes and discharge summaries. A focus will be on documenting risk levels, safety planning, diagnosis, treatment progress, and recommendations using both DSM and ASAM criteria. Applied exercises to practice documentation from the beginning of services to the end will be provided. Students will provide samples of their documentation without identifying information to receive feedback. Documentation in special situations will be discussed.

Course type: Instructor-led online

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BHA III Courses

Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.325

Description: This 12 contact hour course will provide advanced information related to services and treatment planning with clients experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Students will learn how environmental issues such as family dynamics, social support, and identification of meaningful community roles can influence the course of behavioral health disorders. Application exercises to provide practice in developing individualized treatment plans addressing multiple clinical issues will be provided. 

Course type: Self-paced online

Advanced Behavioral Health Clinical Care CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.335

Description: This 20 contact hour course will provide advanced information related to services and treatment planning with clients experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Students will learn how environmental issues such as family dynamics, social support, and identification of meaningful community roles can influence the course of behavioral health disorders. Application exercises to provide practice in developing individualized treatment plans addressing multiple clinical issues will be provided. 

Course type: Instructor-led online

Documentation and Quality Assurance CHAPCB 8.20.340

Description: This 16 contact hour course will provide information on completing and evaluating the documentation of clinical counseling records. Students will learn how to complete and review documentation to maintain compliance with payer requirements, grant conditions, and chart audits. Applied exercises in evaluating documentation and potential remediation for record deficits will be provided. 

Course type: Instructor-led online

Introduction to Case Management Supervision CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.345

Description: (Formerly titled Introduction to Case Management Supervision, now combined with Introduction to Supervision CHAPCB Sec. 8.20.385.)

Applied Case Studies in Alaska Native Culture Based Issues CHAPCB Sec.8.20.350

Description: This 8 contact hour course will provide case studies within the context of Alaska Native cultures. Traditional lifestyles and health practices, and Alaska Native beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of health promotion will be discussed. Students will learn potential strategies for improving village-based behavioral health status, and how to incorporate traditional ways of healing into treatment plans. Students will identify ways to improve recognition and acceptance of cultural differences among clinical team members. 

Course Type: Instructor-led online

Behavioral Health Clinical Team Building CHAPCB Sec 8.20.370

Description: This 12 hour course will provide students with a greater understanding of practical approaches to team building, utilizing a team approach, and collaborating and developing partnerships among individuals across disciplines including, community health aides, and dental health aides. Students will gain an understanding of appropriate roles with participating in multi-disciplinary and clinical teams. Students will participate in applied exercises to develop a team building plan and practice providing feedback to others. 

Course type: Instructor-led in-person

Introduction to Supervision CHAPCB Sec 8.20.385

Description: This 16 contact hour course provides an introduction to the philosophy and practical application of supervision, mentorship, consultants, and evaluators. Students will be given guidance in developing a vision for supervisory relationships and develop skills in nurturing counselor development, promoting development of skills and competencies, and achieving accountability. Ethics of supervision, administrative requirements and how to manage conflicts will be reviewed. Students will be expected to begin developing their own supervisory approaches during this course. 

Course type: Instructor-led online

Child Development CHAPCB Sec 8.20.390

Description: This 20 contact hour course will provide foundational information about child development from utero/birth to age 17. Students will learn about related to typical functioning, needs, milestones, cultural influence, parenting, and adversity and resilience as related to child development. 

Course type: Self-paced online

BHP Courses

Village-Based Behavioral Health Services CHAPCB Sec 8.20.400

Description: (Formerly titled Issues in Village-Based Behavioral Health Care.) This 20 contact hour course will provide an in-depth exploration of practical, ethical, and clinical issues related to the contemporary practice of behavioral health care in village settings.  BHAs will draw on their previous experience and knowledge to analyze these issues and generate ideas for addressing practice challenges in a seminar format. 

Course type: Instructor-led online

Challenges in Behavioral Health Services CHAPCB 8.20.425

Description: (Formerly titled Special Issues in Behavioral Health Services.) This 16 contact hour course will analyze specialized evaluation, services, treatment and case management needs for those who have experienced specific issues. Issues and disorders reviewed in this course will include, but are not limited to: abuse, violence, brain injury or disorders, disasters, trauma, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, developmental disabilities, tobacco dependency and other health conditions that affect behavior or adjustment. 

Course type: Instructor-led online

Competencies for Village-Based Supervision CHAPCB Sec 8.20.485

Description: This 6 contact hour course will prepare students to provide effective training, mentoring, and supervision to Behavioral Health Aides.  Through applied exercises, students will learn to use the BHA Knowledge and Skills Checklist to assess supervisee competence, foster and track supervisee professional development, and integrate supervisee learning acquired through training and work experience.  Through the lens of the unique context of the Behavioral Health Aide Program, students will explore supervisory roles and responsibilities, the ethics of supervision, and the impact of culture on supervision. 

Course type: (Blended) Self-paced and Instructor-led online

Principles and Practice of Clinical Supervision CHAPCB Sec 8.20.490

Description: This 40 contact hour course will cover the philosophy of clinical supervision and provide practical application approaches to carrying it out. Students will learn strategies for facilitating effective participation by supervisees and participate in discussion about the use of technology and how it modifies, impacts or enhances the clinical supervision relationship. This course will provide guidance to students on setting boundaries, and the differences between clinical and administrative supervision. Students will participate in application exercises and develop a clinical supervision plan that can be used within their individual work environment. 

Course type: Instructor-led online

Child-Centered Interventions CHAPCB Sec 8.20.495

Description: This 20 contact hour course will increase the student’s ability of to recognize and respond to the needs of children utilizing child-focused approaches in the field of psychotherapy. Students will explore accessible and relevant clinical resources to the work in their unique environment. This course will promote the understanding, early intervention and treatment of psychological disorders. 

Course type: (Blended) Self-paced and Instructor-led online 

CDC

Introduction to Addictive Behavior – Counselor Tech

Description: This 8 contact hour course provides foundational information about a wide range of substances and how they work in the brain, including: depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, and opioids. Students will learn about medications used to help treat addictions and opioid overdose and how treatment options fall on a continuum of care. Students will learn about risk and protective factors for addiction, common addictive behaviors, and how substance use disorders often co-occur with a mental health disorder. Learning will be supplemented using case studies application and interactive assignments.

 Course type: Self-paced online


*This course is not required for BHA certification but is needed to meet CT course requirements.

Motivational Interviewing – CDC I

Description: This 16 contact hour course provides foundational information about philosophical and practical basis of motivational interviewing. Students will learn the stages of change and the motivational interviewing techniques that are effective for each stage.  Will provide skills-based learning using application exercises to enhance motivational interviewing skills when conducting screenings, intakes, treatment plan development, case management, and substance abuse counseling.
Course type: Instructor-led online

*This course is not required for BHA certification but is needed to meet CDC I course requirements.

Special Issues in Behavioral Health Services – CDC II

Description: (This course is the same as the BHA course titled Challenges in Behavioral Health Care.) This 16 contact hour course will analyze specialized evaluation, services, treatment and case management needs for those who have experienced specific issues. Issues and disorders reviewed in this course will include, but are not limited to: abuse, violence, brain injury or disorders, disasters, trauma, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, developmental disabilities, tobacco dependency and other health conditions that affect behavior or adjustment. 
Course type: Instructor-led online


*This course is not required for BHA certification but is needed to meet CDC II course requirements.

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