SALEM, Ore. –An initiative to build a more diverse, culturally responsive behavioral health workforce is preparing Oregon students for a future career in the field.
High school juniors and seniors are gaining real world experience to explore potential career paths in behavioral health through the High School Behavioral Health Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant program offered in the Salem- Keizer School District and—new this school year—in Sunset-Beaverton and Lane County school districts.
“Students report the program is helping them prepare for their future and understand themselves and others better,” said Casey Reid, PhD, behavioral health pathway specialist, Lane Education Service District. “We are excited to prepare Oregon’s future behavioral health workforce and build the culture of schools along the way in ways that are supportive of students and communities.”
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is supporting three High School Behavioral Health CTE programs for the first time with $185,000 grant funding from Senate Bill 5525, passed in 2023. This is the Salem-Keizer School District’s second year with their Behavioral Health CTE program and the first year for Sunset- Beaverton and Lane County School districts’ behavioral health CTE programs.
“These programs are doing more than preparing students for careers,” said OHA OHA’s Behavioral Health Division Director Ebony Clarke. “They’re creating access, breaking down barriers and building a future where Oregon’s behavioral health workforce reflects the communities it serves.”
Here are some highlights from the first year of funding:
Salem-Keizer Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC)
- 43 students completed paid internships under the supervision of industry professionals.
- 20 students earned Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certifications.
- 25 students earned Qualified Mental Health Associate – Registered (QMHA-R) certifications.
- Provided paid transportation to rural students, ensuring equitable access to the program.
Sunset-Beaverton School District
- 16 students completed the first year of the new CTE pilot program (51 students are enrolled for 2025–26).
- Funding helped convert classroom space into clinical-style environments and hire a full-time program coordinator.
- Program recognition by the Oregon Department of Education expanded access to students from all 27 district high schools.
Lane County School District
- 41 currently enrolled students represent nine high schools (four programs are on-site and one is a fully online pilot launched this fall — the first in Oregon).
- All program educators received certification in Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid.
- Students are collaborating with community organizations to create peer support programs to bring timely help directly to schools.
The High School Behavioral Health CTE program supports OHA’s strategic plan to eliminate health inequities by 2030, contributing to a trained behavioral health workforce that reflects the lived experiences and cultural backgrounds of Oregon’s youth.
For more information on the High School Behavioral Health CTE programs visit:
https://ctec.salkeiz.k12.or.us/programs/behavior-health-and-human-services
