Behavioral Health Training Institute: 11 Years of Strengthening Public Health and Community

Public health and behavioral health are deeply connected. Across the country, leaders in both fields are responding to complex challenges related to mental health, substance use, workforce wellbeing and access to care. Addressing those challenges requires more than information alone; it requires strong relationships, practical strategies and opportunities for leaders to learn from one another.

Through 11 yearly cohorts, the Behavioral Health Training Institute for Health Officials (BHTI), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has created that opportunity. The program brings together public health officials and behavioral health partners to strengthen systems, build relationships and improve community wellbeing through training, technical assistance and shared learning.

As BHTI celebrates 11 cohorts and over 350 public health and behavioral health participants, the program continues to show what is possible when public health and behavioral health leaders come together around a shared mission.

Behavioral Health Training Institute’s Impact: 11 Years of Partnership and Progress

BHTI was built on a partnership between the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and the CDC’s National Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, with a focus on strengthening connections between public health and behavioral health systems. Over 11 yearly cohorts, the program has helped cultivate a national network of leaders committed to improving mental health, substance use and workforce wellbeing efforts in their communities.

Collaboration with partners such as the National Conference of State Legislatures has further supported BHTI’s reach by helping connect public health and behavioral health leaders with broader legislative, policy and systems perspectives.

While priorities and community needs continue to evolve, the program’s purpose remains consistent: Give leaders the support and connections they need to advance meaningful work. Participants of BHTI bring new ideas, tools and relationships back to their agencies, teams and communities, contributing over time to stronger partnerships and more connected systems.

Transformative Learning and Lasting Impact

BHTI is more than a training program — it’s a catalyst for action. Participants consistently report:

• Increased confidence in public health and behavioral health leadership skills.
• Stronger cross-sector partnerships.
• Greater familiarity with workforce and behavioral health initiatives.

“BHTI deepened our understanding of the distinct but interconnected leadership roles that public health and behavioral health play within a community. It helped us better understand each other’s priorities and challenges, while recognizing the significant overlap in our goals around prevention, access, community wellbeing and systems improvement.”

— Olivia Catalano, MHA, Director of Public Health, Broome County Health Department, and Sarah King, LCSWR, CAS, Deputy Commissioner of Community Mental Health Services, Broome County Mental Health Department

Program Features:

• Two-day, in-person training sessions that foster hands-on learning and networking.
• Free attendance at NatCon, the nation’s largest mental health and substance use conference.
• Access to national subject matter experts who provide guidance on best practices and emerging trends.
• Opportunities such as Mental Health First Aid at Work, which equips leaders with practical skills for supporting workforce wellbeing.

Participants leave BHTI with actionable strategies, new perspectives, and a renewed sense of purpose. The program’s emphasis on real-world application ensures that learning translates into measurable impact.

Benefits of the BHTI Experience

Participants highlight several advantages:

• Practical tools and resources for immediate application in their organizations.
• New partnerships and professional connections that extend beyond the program.
• Exposure to innovative approaches in public and behavioral health, including evidence-based practices and policy solutions.
• Peer learning and expert guidance that foster a supportive community.
• Enhanced ability to advance behavioral health initiatives and respond to emerging challenges.

BHTI’s focus on workforce wellbeing is particularly relevant in today’s environment. Leaders gain insights into strategies for supporting staff, addressing burnout and promoting mental health within their teams.

“BHTI gave us dedicated time to better understand each other’s systems, challenges and resources and to identify ways our organizations can support one another. Since participating, we have included health department staff in our training on clinician engagement and trauma, providing additional tools for managing secondary traumatic stress and burnout.”

— Sarah Bowman, LMSW, QMHP, CMHP, QIDP, Director of Clinical Services, Gratiot Integrated Health Network

The Power of Peer Learning and Collaboration

One of BHTI’s greatest strengths is the community it creates.

“One of the most meaningful outcomes of BHTI is the relationship itself. It created a bridge between two community systems that had previously operated independently. I am confident that bridge will remain and create opportunities for collaboration well beyond the formal BHTI experience.”

— Sarah Bowman, LMSW, QMHP, CMHP, QIDP, Director of Clinical Services, Gratiot Integrated Health Network

Public health and behavioral health leaders often face similar challenges, including workforce pressures, funding constraints and complex service delivery needs.

“We are a small rural county, and our challenges around workforce and funding felt very familiar. BHTI gave me a better understanding of the current challenges facing community mental health in our state.”

— Liz Braddock, MS, RS, Health Officer, Mid-Michigan District Health Department

BHTI provides a setting where participants can discuss those challenges honestly, exchange ideas and learn how colleagues in other communities are responding. Participants learn not only from national experts, but also from one another.

Participants consistently identify networking, peer exchange and learning how other communities navigate public health and behavioral health needs as valuable parts of the BHTI experience.

The collaborative environment also gives participants space to step outside their daily responsibilities, consider new approaches and return to their teams with a clearer path forward.

For some participants, that means strengthening communication across teams. For others, it means sharing new practices or opening conversations about workplace mental health and wellbeing.

Looking Ahead to Cohort 12

As BHTI prepares to launch its 12th cohort, the program remains committed to equipping public health officials and behavioral health partners with the tools, knowledge and relationships needed to drive meaningful change.

What’s New for Cohort 12:

• Expanded curriculum addressing emerging issues such as fairness in health care, telehealth and community resilience.
• Enhanced opportunities for networking and collaboration, including virtual and in-person events.
• Access to new resources and toolkits designed to support leaders in their ongoing work.

“The joint work between public health and behavioral health has helped demonstrate to our community that these systems can work together around shared priorities.”

— Sarah King, LCSWR, CAS, Deputy Commissioner of Community Mental Health Services, Broome County Mental Health Department, and Olivia Catalano, MHA, Director of Public Health, Broome County Health Department

“Participating in the National Council’s BHTI as a pair fosters meaningful collaboration, strengthens our understanding of cross-system needs and helps us recognize opportunities to work together more effectively. The experience builds relationships and shared understanding that ultimately help us better support the needs of our communities together.”

— Sarah King, LCSWR, CAS, Deputy Commissioner of Community Mental Health Services, Broome County Mental Health Department, and Olivia Catalano, MHA, Director of Public Health, Broome County Health Department

Eligible public health and behavioral health leaders are encouraged to apply for Cohort 12 and join a growing network dedicated to building healthier, more connected communities. By participating in BHTI, leaders gain access to a wealth of knowledge, support and inspiration that can transform their organizations and communities.