The Montana Youth Behavioral Health Pathways Training Program provides high school students in Helena, Kalispell and Livingston with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to explore careers in behavioral health while building leadership capacity and developing transferable workforce skills.
Program Overview
This comprehensive training program combines online coursework with live skill-building sessions and hands-on career exploration. Students develop competencies in mental health, resilience, communication, and community support while earning academic credit and professional credentials.
The program runs in alignment with the school semester, offering two cohorts each year:
Fall Semester: September–December
Spring Semester: February–May
Who Can Participate
The program is open to students who are:
- Age 16 or older.
- Currently enrolled in high school in Helena, Livingston or Kalispell.
- Interested in behavioral health, leadership development or helping professions.
Enrollment is open and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with 8-10 students per school per semester.
How to Enroll
Students can enroll by working with their school's work-based learning coordinator or career counselor. The program aligns with the school semester calendar for seamless integration into students' academic schedules.
Program Structure
Designed to fit into a busy school schedule, the program will consist of:
- 2–3 hours per week of self-paced online lessons completed independently through Canvas.
- 1-hour live after-school sessions for skill practice, peer connection, and guest speakers on Zoom.
- Tailored experiential learning experience in their local community, with hours varying based on student interests and agency availability.
Curriculum
The 20-lesson curriculum is organized into five modules covering essential competencies for behavioral health careers and personal development:
Module 1: Building Your Foundation
- Self-awareness and personal values
- Building resilience and stress management
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Working across difference and cultural competency
Module 2: Create Safe and Supportive Environments
- Resilience and trauma
- Healthy relationships and peer support
- Conflict resolution and mediation
- Online safety and digital wellness
Module 3: Supporting Yourself and Others
- Understanding behavioral health
- Suicide prevention and crisis response
- Substance use awareness
- Careers in resilience building professions
Module 4: Understanding Your Community
- Social determinants of health
- Understanding your community
- Navigating systems and resources
- Advocacy and community engagement
Module 5: Taking Action & Preparing Your Future
- Goal setting and personal development
- Financial literacy
- Workplace basics and professional skills
- Micro-exposure to behavioral health careers
What Students Gain
Academic Credit: Students who complete the online course and live sessions earn dual enrollment credit issued through Highlands College and their high school, providing a head start on post-secondary education.
Professional Credential: Upon completion, students receive a badge certificate as a Community Health Worker, a recognized credential in the behavioral health workforce.
Advanced Career Exploration Opportunity: After completing the first semester experience, students can enroll in an additional semester to complete a 50-hour career exploration internship for high school internship credit, gaining hands-on experience in behavioral health settings.
Transferable Skills: Students develop durable skills applicable to any career path, including:
- Leadership and self-management.
- Communication and collaboration.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Cultural competency and empathy.
- Professional workplace competencies.
Career Connections: The program provides networking opportunities with behavioral health professionals, exposure to diverse career pathways, and connections to post-secondary training programs and employment opportunities in Montana.
Get Started
Interested students should contact their school's work-based learning coordinator or career counselor to learn more and enroll in the next cohort.