Correctional BehavioralHealth Certification

This certification ensures a candidate’s knowledge of national stan-dards and guidelines; legal and ethical principles, and relevant security regulations. Validates the role of correctional professionals associated with the provision of behavioral health services for mentally ill inmates or offenders in correctional settings Candidates’ will gain:

• Expanded Knowledge: Identifies and awards recognition to staff who have demonstrated knowledge, skills and ability in work-ing with mentally ill offenders through a standardized test of competency.

• Career Opportunities: Provides a national standardized cer-tification that validates capability in working with mentally ill offenders and improves ability to compete in the job market.

• Professional Recognition: Raises the professional standards and qualifications of corrections professionals who work with mentally ill offenders.

• Standard of Excellence: Enhances credibility, influences the future direction of the profession, and establishes the potential for increased compensation and benefits for staff

• Adult Correctional Officers and Juvenile Justice Professionals

• Allied Behavioral Health Staff

• Community Corrections Officers

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Correctional Officer (CBHC-CO)

A. Adult Correctional Officers and Juvenile Justice Professionals: Individuals responsible for the custody, safety, security, and supervision of inmates in a correctional facility.

1. Current county, state, or federal correctional officer certification. Equivalent of one year accumulated expe-rience in a prison, jail/detention facility or community/work release center providing custodial supervision and working with behavioral/mental health staff in providing care for inmates/offenders in an inpatient mental health unit, residential treatment unit, secure therapeutic unit, intensive management unit, behav-ioral adjustment unit or other specialized unit or program for inmates with mental illness;

2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Community Corrections Officer (CBHC-CC)

B. Community Corrections Officers: Individuals, including probation or parole officers, that supervise offenders who have been sentenced to non-custodial sanctions or those released from incarceration.

1. Current county, state, or federal community corrections officer certification Equivalent of one year accu-mulated experience coordinating with community-based behavioral/mental health providers and/or court systems in the supervision of mentally ill offenders.

2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.

Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS)

C. Allied Behavioral Health Staff: Nursing, medical support staff, and individuals under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional that provide rehabilitative, recreational, case management, re-entry planning, psycho-educational and other supportive services to mentally ill inmates/offenders.

1. Equivalent of two years accumulated experience providing structured activities, psycho-educational pro-grams, nursing/medical support, recreational, and other supportive behavioral services in a mental health setting. At least one of the two years must be in a correctional or juvenile justice facility for inmates/offenders in an inpatient mental health unit, residential treatment unit, secure therapeutic unit, intensive management unit, behavioral adjustment unit or other specialized unit or program for inmates with mental illness.

2. Minimum of forty (40) hours of behavioral/mental health related training.

For more information, please contact Doreen Efeti or Kelli McAfee.

) (703) 224-0120 ) (703) 224-0172 Ydoreene@aca.org Ykellim@aca.org