Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community Certificate

Delivery Area: Online

Coordinator: Wendy St. Pierre (207) 621-3121 wendy.stpierre@maine.edu  /Dave Samuelian (207) 262-7980 davidjs@maine.edu (Bangor)

The Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community Certificate is awarded upon completion of a ten-course sequence in mental health and human services at the University of Maine at Augusta. The sequence is appropriate for persons working in the mental health field who have direct-service experience in mental health, but who lack formal higher education or for those individuals who wish to seek employment in the mental health field. The program is offered statewide and can be completed on a part-time basis over a three-year period or less. This program emphasizes a basic understanding of human behavior, mental health rehabilitation skills, and a foundation in the methods and values of psychosocial rehabilitation. It is particularly suitable for persons who wish to work toward an associate or baccalaureate degree. Course offerings for this certificate will be offered within a one-year time frame. Students must meet the prerequisites for courses as designated or must receive permission of the instructor. To be certified by the State of Maine, students should call UMA’s Office of Admissions & Records at (207) 621-3465 or the Center for Public Sector Innovation at (207) 626-5231 or 626-5200. This certificate program also prepares students for State certification as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors.

Upon completion of this certificate, students will:

• become familiar with helping theories and techniques
• employ psycho-social rehabilitation practices including consumer choice, goal setting and collaborative planning
• recognize the effects of trauma and co-occurring disorders, utilizing screening and assessment tools to help with recovery
• incorporate policy knowledge in behavioral health practices, including client rights, ADA knowledge, and understanding benefits and entitlement programs
• understand medical aspects of mental illness and interactions of co-occurring medical issues
• identify appropriate action for consumer risk
• recognize and be sensitive to the needs of a diverse clientele including cross-cultural awareness, effective communication, gender and sexual orientation, and changing needs of adults in transition
• be fully certified as Mental Health Rehabilitation Technicians and/or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors