Mental Health Services...

Being the best you can be!  Qualifications that exceed all others!

• Mental health is an important part of overall health for children as well as adults. For many adults who have mental disorders, symptoms were present—but often not recognized or addressed—in childhood and youth. For a young person with symptoms of a mental disorder, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be. Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting problems as a child grows up.

• The Mental Health credential focuses on introductory knowledge about the human services field and prepared to assist social workers and mental health workers in Head Start in a variety of program settings.  Mental Health assistants work under direct supervision to provide support in receiving mental health services. Mental health certificate teach students to identify parents and children with mental disorders.  The certificate address the best ways to talk to patients and take notes on their responses.  It introduces students to various methods and discusses ways to utilize findings in seeking mental health treatment.
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• Each program is 12-36 weeks in length, the courses are offered in pairs, or "blocks," designed to complement each other. In these programs, emphasis alternates weekly between in class, reading and online discussion six week and a work project the next.

• The completion of an Credential in Mental Health represents an important milestone for many students as they pursue their educational goals.

• HS University offers the following credential/license programs to enrolled students.

	Mental Health Services: Promoting Resilency in Children (Core 1)
	Mental Health Services Administrator Credential
	Mental Health Services Supervisor Credential
	Mental Health Services Management License

• Why do I need a credential/license?
• Being a credential/license Mental Health Service professional makes all the difference.  Mental Health service workers who want recognition for their professional achievement and who want to unlock new career paths come to HS University for their credentials.

• What is an Mental Health credential/license?
• Obtaining a Mental Health credential/license is the next progression in a Head Start Mental Health service worker's professional career.  Beyond the educational degree, a professional credential/license denotes professional commitment and achievement and represents a "plus" feature of certifying knowledge and experience that meets or exceeds excellence in health services at the national level.  Professional health service workers agree to a critical review process that includes evaluation of the candidate's educational preparation, practice experience and peer review of observable skills and abilities.
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• Why obtain a credential/license?
• Having a Mental Health Service Credential/License means you:

1. --Become a part of the most widely recognized work organization in the nation

1. --Are recognized as having in-depth knowledge, proven work experience, leadership capacity, competence and dedication to the mental health work profession
2. --Agree to a critical review process that strives to measure adherence to a Code of Ethics, Standards of Continuing Education and in-depth practicum in the area of health service specialized management practices
3. --Help Head Start programs develop a high quality, leadership skills within their program and develop systems and methodologies to ensure excellence in service.