AUBURN — A no-cost behavioral health professional certification training is set to be offered to qualified candidates.

The Center for Workforce and Professional Development at Central Maine Community College is offering the training in partnership with the Maine Quality Center. Behavioral health professionals help children with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. Through this certification, participants learn strategies to assist children in developing and maintaining daily living skills necessary to remain healthy, safe, and live a full and productive life.

Training is a combination of self-paced, online learning, as well as two live virtual sessions via Zoom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where noted. Three cohorts are available:

• July 26-Aug. 22, with live Zoom sessions on Aug. 19 and 20;

• Aug. 23-Sept. 19, with live Zoom sessions on Sept. 16 and 17; and

• Sept. 20-Oct. 17, with live Zoom sessions on Oct. 14 and 15.

Participants in CMCC’s free BHP certification training must be at least 18, possess a minimum of a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) exam and the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), be a Maine resident, and be eligible to work in the U.S. upon completion of the program. Interested candidates can learn more and register at cmcc.edu/workforcedevelopment.

Additionally, candidates in MQC-funded programs must be a dislocated, unemployed or underemployed worker, or someone whose job has been adversely affected by COVID-19. Underemployed can be considered as working part-time but looking for full-time work or working in an occupation below one’s skillset. Candidates are only eligible to participate in one MQC program being offered at any of the seven colleges in the Maine Community College System.

To be successfully employed in the BHP field upon completion of the program, job applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check and have access to reliable transportation. Having a criminal background doesn’t prevent candidates from participating in the CMCC training but may prevent successful completers from obtaining employment in the field.

For more information or to register, email [email protected] or call 207-755-5280.