Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act

This bill, titled the Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act, authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to establish a grant program. The purpose of this program is to train community mental wellness workers by awarding grants to eligible entities such as certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, tax-exempt hospitals, and other specified behavioral health organizations. Grant funds are intended to support the training, certification, and supervision of these workers and their supervisors. Community mental wellness workers will be trained to screen for common mental health and substance use conditions and to deliver evidence-informed, culturally and linguistically competent counseling and interviewing interventions. These interventions address basic psychosocial or psychotherapeutic treatment needs for individuals with or at risk for mild to moderate mental and substance use disorders, including safety planning and suicide risk reduction. Additionally, grant funds may cover costs associated with acquiring and using digital platforms for screening, training, supervision, and ongoing quality assurance. They also support the delivery of counseling interventions and the clinical supervision and certification of workers. The Secretary may also provide appropriate training and technical assistance to grantees, including guidance on employment practices and identifying diverse candidates. The bill establishes priority for awarding grants to entities located in areas with high rates of poverty, unemployment, or substance use, or in medically underserved communities . Priority is also given to entities serving communities with high rates of individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. This ensures resources are directed to areas with the greatest need for mental wellness support. Furthermore, the bill extends malpractice protection to covered entities and their personnel participating in the grant program, similar to existing provisions for other health entities. The Secretary is required to submit interim and final reports to Congress on the program's results, including the number of workers trained and certified. The program is authorized to receive $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with a portion reserved for technical assistance.