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New Hampshire Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative

  The New Hampshire Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative is working to strengthen the state’s behavioral health workforce by expanding access to clinical training and supporting preceptors and supervisors. 


Through partnerships across the state, NHBHWI is focused on reducing barriers to clinical placements and building a more sustainable workforce.

Who we are supporting

The initiative supports the development of master’s-level behavioral health clinicians, including:

  • Mental health counselors
  • Social workers
  • Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners

Key strategies

NHBHWI is advancing this work through the following key strategies:  

  • Build and strengthen partnerships across the behavioral health workforce
  • Provide support for supervisors/preceptors and students 
  • Provide free and low-cost educational opportunities for providers and students
  • Develop and share tools and resources to support workforce development

Why this work matters

New Hampshire continues to face a shortage of licensed behavioral health clinicians, particularly in rural areas. At the same time, students and trainees often face challenges finding clinical placements and qualified supervisors.       

Innovation Highlight - New England College

New England College - Community Mental Health Program

New England College’s Bachelor of Arts in Community Mental Health prepares students for careers in behavioral health and human services by combining classroom learning with hands-on experience.

 

One of the key parts of the program is its co-op model. Students gain paid experience in community-based settings while completing their degree, allowing them to apply what they are learning in the classroom while developing a better understanding of the people and communities they may serve.

 

The program was developed in response to the need for a strong and prepared behavioral health workforce in New Hampshire. Students graduate with real-world experience and an understanding of how community-based behavioral health services work. The program currently partners with three community mental health centers and is actively expanding its network of community partners and student placement opportunities.

 

The program prepares students for careers in areas such as mental health, case management, crisis services, substance use services, residential programs, and advocacy, as well as provides a foundation for graduate study.

 

For further information you can email the Program Coordinator, Kathy Simon, LICSW: ksimon@nec.edu

Website: Community Mental Health, Cooperative BA - New England College [nec.edu]

Upcoming opportunities for supervisors and preceptors

Upcoming opportunities for supervisors and preceptors working with graduate-level behavioral health trainees and early-career master’s-level professionals. 

Lunch & Learn Supervisor/Preceptor Learning Collaborative

Sep 16, Oct 21, Nov 18, Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 17, Apr 21 - Virtual sessions from 12:00-1:00 PM


Through the New Hampshire Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative,  we are pleased to offer a Lunch & Learn Supervisor/Preceptor Learning Collaborative Series. This series will be an Interactive, discussion-based learning collaborative focused on practical supervision skills and peer learning across disciplines participants are encouraged to bring supervision challenges for group discussion and consultation. 


Learning Objective:

  • At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants will be able to: Demonstrate effective supervision strategies, including providing constructive feedback, setting clear expectations, and managing challenging interpersonal dynamics when working with interns and early-career clinicians.


Continuing Education and Accreditation for the Learning Collaborative:

  • In support of improving patient care, Dartmouth Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
  • American Medical Association (AMA) Dartmouth Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Dartmouth Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s).

Meeting Link

Preceptor Development Modules

Preceptor Development Modules from our friends at SNH AHEC

Our colleagues at the Southern NH Area Health Education Center have created a library of trainings to support Preceptors. Login is required to view the trainings and continuing education credit is available. Please link to the NH AHEC website here:

https://www.snhahec.org/preceptor-modules.html

Reports

NHBHWI Kickoff Event Summary (pdf)Download

Financial Disclosure

This webpage is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration through an award totaling $1,292,000, with 100% of the cost financed by the grant. This workforce product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor.

White Mountain and Foliage Photos by Brian Yurasits - Free care of Unsplash 

Newcastle Light Photo by Mark König - Free Care of Unsplash

Lakes Region from Rattlesnake Mountain Photo by Eli Missing - Free Care of Unsplash 

Copyright © 2026 NH Behavioral Health Workforce Center - All Rights Reserved.

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