Montana Family Support Program

The Montana Family Support Program is a workforce development program focused on preparing paraprofessionals to support youth and families impacted by opioid and substance use disorders through foundational learning, supervised experience, and specialized training.

Program Curriculum

Registration

More Behavioral Health Programs

Montana Family Support Program at a Glance

Montana Family Support Program Overview

The Montana Family Support Program (MFSP) is a year-long training and workforce development opportunity designed to prepare individuals to support youth and families impacted by Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Through a layered, practical training model, participants gain real-world experience and essential skills to work as behavioral health paraprofessionals in communities across Montana.

	Level I Core Course Participants complete one of four curated core courses: Recovery Doula, Community Health Worker, Fundamentals of Behavioral Health, or Community Integrated Health.  Please note that some Core Courses require employee sponsorship and the completion of supervised experience.
	Level II Professional Developmental Training Sessions Participants complete nearly 40 hours of required self-paced and live online trainings tailored to family-focused behavioral health work. This includes a mix of online and live instruction in evidence-based practices such as Management of Aggressive Behaviors, Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), Motivational Interviewing, Naloxone Training, and Suicide Prevention trainings. Space is limited to 27 particpants per year for Level I and Level II. A stipend is available upon completion of Level I and Level II.
	Level III Apprenticeship Participants have the option to complete a 2,000 employer-sponsored apprenticeship through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Space is limited to 9 participants per year. A stipend is available upon completion of the apprenticeship.

This training is designed for individuals in a paraprofessional role who are passionate about community well-being and want to play a critical role in Montana’s behavioral health system, especially in rural, underserved, and tribal areas.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will graduate with specialized skills to support youth and families dealing with the complexities of OUD and SUD. Training includes:

• Foundational Behavioral Health Knowledge: Complete a core certification aligned with your interests and career goals
  
  
• Family-Focused Support Strategies: Learn developmental, trauma-informed approaches tailored to working with youth and families
  
  
• Evidence-Based Interventions: Receive training in national best-practice models, including MOAB, YMHFA, and QPR
  
  
• Workforce Readiness: Build the professional, communication, and self-regulation skills needed for long-term success in behavioral health roles

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Montana Family Support Program are equipped to step into essential, community-based roles that support the behavioral health and well-being of youth and families. This training prepares individuals for work in schools, recovery centers, youth programs, healthcare clinics, tribal organizations, and family support services, especially in rural and high-need areas.

As the demand for behavioral health paraprofessionals continues to grow, this program offers a powerful entry point into a meaningful and sustainable career. Participants finish with in-demand certifications, real-world experience, and a strong foundation for long-term success in the behavioral health field.

How to Enroll

Enrollment occurs  on a rolling basis. 

The course start date is typically determined by which Core Course is selected. 

*Some Core Courses require employee sponsorship, which must be secured prior to enrollment. 

Registration

Questions

For more information or to find out
how you or your organization can get involved, please contact:

Beth Ann Carter
Assistant Director, Paraprofessional Workforce
📧 beth.carter@montana.edu | 📞 406-925-1261