BHECN-ARPA News

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

Below are links to presentation slides and other materials shared during the recent BHECN ARPA Awardee and Community Stakeholder Conference, which was held on June 13 in Kearney.

• BHECN Conference Introduction – Marley Doyle, MD
• BHECN ARPA Awards Program Updates – Jessie Buche, MPH, MA
• Advocacy in Action: Strengthening Nebraska’s Behavioral Health Workforce – Annette Dubas, Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations
• Bridging Gaps in Telebehavioral Health: Best Practices for Reaching Rural and Access-Limited Populations – Jonathan Neufeld, PhD 
• Strategic Grant Writing: From Planning to Impact – Jen Hart, MBA
• There and Back Again: Solutioning for Successful Transitions of Care – Rachel Heinz, MPH, BSN, RN 
• Data Resources to Enhance Grant Applications – Patrick Maloney, PhD, MPH 
• Building Community Partnerships – Denise Pecha, LCSW

Also, awardees are requested to take this survey about what they would like to see in a potential BHECN behavioral health provider network.

Application cycles for two BHECN programs are currently open.

Applications for the Graduate Trainee Stipend Program, which financially supports master’s-level students during their advanced practicum or internship experiences serving rural, public-sector, or justice-involved communities, will be accepted through July 10.

• To be eligible, students must:
• Have confirmed practicum or internship experiences
• Be in good academic standing

Intend to practice in Nebraska after graduation

Learn more about the program and how to apply here.

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

The BHECN Mentoring Program pairs licensed behavioral health professionals currently working in the field with behavioral health students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. This includes a wide range of professionals such as psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, therapists, and psychiatric nurses.

Applications are due Aug. 31.

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

BHECN has openings for a director of our Central Site and a co-director for our Southwest Site.

These are part-time leadership positions (up to 15 hours/week) responsible for furthering BHECN’s mission in the central and southwest regions of Nebraska.

The roles will focus on recruiting, training, and retaining behavioral health students, trainees, and professionals across the region.

You can:

• View the BHECN Central Director job posting here; and
• View BHECN Southwest Co-Director job posting here.