Michigan

Make a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of youth and young adults while exploring a career in behavioral health. Receive trainings during your service that will prepare you to work with peers and earn industry recognized certificates.

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Regions

North, West, and Southeast Michigan

Program start date

Fall 2026

Application Window

TBD

Career Pathways Available

• School-Based/Nonprofit Based Navigator
• Peer Support/Recovery Specialist

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Program Description

Michigan’s Youth Mental Health Corps prepares young adults for behavioral health careers as they serve in schools and communities to positively impact youth and gain experience in mental health support.

Certification Pathways

As a Michigan Youth Mental Health Corps Member, you’ll have the opportunity to enter a mental health career path through two certification pathways:

School-Based/Nonprofit Navigator

By serving in schools, after-school programs, and youth organizations, members will support the mental health and wellness of youth.

Members may participate in daily and weekly student check-ins, trainings for caregivers, and raising community awareness of mental health services.

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Peer Support/Recovery Specialist

You will participate in intake and assessment, offering connections to resources, supporting youth and peers, and developing advocacy campaigns, in community organizations and local clinics.

“The Youth Mental Health Corps helped me in a lot of ways to support my career and to support me with just learning about mental health for myself and to gain the knowledge and skillsets that I need.”

Z’hnae Scruggs

Michigan Member

Essential qualifications to participate in the Michigan Youth Mental Health Corps

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Must be 18 - 24 at start of service for the School-Based /Nonprofit-Based Pathway

Must be 18 - 29 at start of service with lived experience for Peer Support/ Recovery Pathway

Must have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Must be a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident

Unfortunately, individuals who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) through the US Department of Homeland Security are not eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member at this time

Member Benefits

While all Youth Mental Health Corps members have access to a variety of professional support, financial, and personal supports, Michigan members will have access to:

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Training Opportunities

To ensure all members are continuing their training and education, Michigan members can participate in training tailored to their pathway.

School-Based/Nonprofit-Based Pathway members will have access to:

Earn two or more stackable certifications, such as Mental Health First Aid, de-escalation training, etc.
Earn higher education credits for members simultaneously pursuing a social work or similar degree

Peer Support/Recovery Pathway members will have access to:

Receive training for service and to earn a Peer Recovery Coach Certificate or Peer Support Specialist Certificate.

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Member Engagement & Support

We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant and supportive environment where members can connect, learn, and grow.

Our aim is to equip you with the tools, skills, and experiences necessary to overcome challenges during your service and thrive in your future career.

Explore How We Support Members

Building a Stronger Behavioral Workforce

When Michigan’s YMHC launched in fall 2024, the program introduced a school-/community-based organization stackable certification pathway to expand its workforcedevelopment impact. In collaboration with Wayne State University (WSU), the pathwayincorporated five youth mental health certifications developed by the WSU CommunityHealth Worker Academy to augment participating AmeriCorps partner programs’ existing member training.

Read the Case Study

Interested in Applying?

To learn more about the Michigan Youth Mental Health Corps, please fill in the following form.

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