BHECN-ARPA News

News regarding the BHECN-ARPA Awards Project -- May 2025

This month's ARPA awardee profile features Midwest Encouragement and Counseling Center, LLC. MECC's Jody Angel-Trejo tells us more about her team's project, which received support in the Funding for Supervision of Provisionally Licensed Providers category.

Tell us about your project and what made you want to pursue it.

We chose the supervision category because our LIMHPs are outstanding clinical supervisors who work hard to sustain high-level training. Historically, we have had some limitations with the number of interns we’ve been able to accept. However, with this grant support, we were not only able to expand the number of interns and PLMHP supervisees, but also expand the framework of trainings provided.

Our office has recently pivoted to offer an integrated approach to mental wellness. This includes training on neurobiology and the overlap between neuronal functioning and mental health symptoms, the gut-brain axis, and psychotherapy approaches. Our funding has expanded our trainings on these pillars and deepened the scope of our psychotherapy training. We have also increased the use of ACT, DBT, and work on addressing attachment wounds for those who could benefit.

The funding has allowed our clinic to support extended training time for leaders and provided reimbursement for their expansive knowledge and support of our team. Staff have also had the opportunity to attend external trainings that support the integration of various evidence-based tools.

What do you find most exciting about the project?

I think the development of our integrated approach over the past year is very exciting. We are building a team that holds the knowledge of how mental health expands to the mind, body, and soul -- quite literally. We now have a roadmap that we use to support therapists in our practice as they navigate when to use various tools outside of traditional psychotherapy and skill development. We have added neurofeedback and education around the gut-brain axis to our offerings.

What do you see as the biggest barrier to success for the project?

The only barrier I really encountered was finding the time to organize information for invoicing. However, my team is very aware that administrative tasks are not my strongest skill -- so it was good practice for an emerging one!

What learnings have you gleaned from the project so far?

We have greatly expanded our knowledge around whole-body health and wellness. This has positively impacted our clientele, from young children to aging adults. It has helped our clinical leaders provide more informed and consistent feedback around treatment practices. It has also expanded our community connections and fostered partnerships with other experts and professionals in the medical field.

Learn more about MECC.

Registration for the BHECN ARPA Awardee and Community Stakeholder Conference has been expanded to include participants from outside the awardee community.

Awardees are encouraged to share this flyer with colleagues or contacts who may be interested in attending the conference, which will take place on Friday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Kearney.

This day-long event will bring together awardees and others for cross-regional networking and outcome sharing, convene a wide range of community stakeholders, and promote, recognize, and celebrate the success of the BHECN ARPA Awardees.

Attendees will receive free continuing education credits for six workshops. Breakfast, lunch, light refreshments, and a networking hour will also be provided throughout the day.

See more information about the conference, including summaries of our keynote and workshop speakers and the conference agenda, here.

BHECN and the UNMC Department of Psychiatry have launched the Behavioral Health Leadership Academy and are taking applications for the first cohort of participants.

Behavioral health providers are highly trained in the clinical care of patients but often lack formal training in leadership.

However, many of the same skills that make a good behavioral health provider – such as empathy, active listening and problem-solving – also serve as strong foundations for effective leadership, said BHECN Director Marley Doyle, MD.

“By equipping behavioral health professionals with leadership skills, we can enhance behavioral health initiatives across the state and create a lasting, positive impact on the well-being of all Nebraskans,” Dr. Doyle said.

In collaboration with leadership expert Julia Hebenstreit, the academy aims to develop and empower behavioral health professionals to become strong leaders in their communities and organizations.

The Behavioral Health Leadership Academy will sponsor 10 behavioral health providers from across the state of Nebraska to participate in a one-year leadership training at no cost to the participants.

The academy will provide participants with a structured curriculum designed to foster leadership growth and professional development within the behavioral health field.

The selection process for the Behavioral Health Leadership Academy will be competitive, with priority given to behavioral health providers who demonstrate a commitment to leadership development and community impact.

The application cycle for the 2025-2026 cohort is now open.

Learn more about the academy and apply here.

Application cycle information for BHECN's Mentoring Program and Lifelong Learning Fund

BHECN seeks licensed behavioral health professionals and students pursuing careers in behavioral health to participate in our Mentoring Program for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

The BHECN Mentoring Program pairs licensed behavioral health professionals currently working in their fields with behavioral health students at the undergrad, graduate, and doctoral levels. This includes an array of behavioral health professionals such as psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, therapists and psychiatric nurses.

The commitment for the paired professionals and students will be for one academic year. The goal is for mentors and mentees to build strong relationships that help the students achieve their career goals and have success in their educational journeys.

Mentors and mentees are expected to meet or interact once a month from September to May. This could be through Zoom, phone, or in-person. Activities can include meeting for coffee, lunch, or a mentoring phone call or Zoom.

BHECN will provide payments to all mentors to support their monthly gatherings with their mentees and the occasional associated costs (e.g. lunch, coffee, mileage).

Applications for the program are due Aug. 31



Learn more about the program and access the mentor and mentee applications here.

Also, mark your calendars for the next application cycle for the BHECN Lifelong Learning Fund, which will run June 1-15.

The BHECN Lifelong Learning Fund (LLF) provides support for three categories of professional development:

• Student development and training.
• Behavioral health practitioner (provisionally or fully licensed) professional development opportunities.
• Statewide training events.

Learn more about the Lifelong Learning Fund and how to apply here.

Many of you are aware of the recent events in central Nebraska, which have highlighted the need for immediate behavioral health support. These events deeply affected many Nebraskans, and the emotional impact is being felt far beyond the local communities.

In response to the influx of inquiries and the limited capacity of local providers -- many of whom are personally connected to the community -- BHECN, in partnership with the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine Behavioral Health Connection Team, is facilitating a statewide effort to meet the increased number of referrals.

We are compiling a more public-facing referral list that will be shared with local organizations and trusted partners. If you would like to be included on that broader list, please send an email to cakers@nebraskamed.com.

Thank you for stepping up in this moment and for the work you do to support our communities every day.