Virginia
Every county in Virginia is designated a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, leaving many young people without access to adequate mental health support. The state needs an additional 42,000 behavioral health professionals to meet current demand. This shortage is made more urgent by the fact that many existing providers are nearing retirement.
Partners
DBHDS, VDOE, Virginia Community College System, Family Support Partners of Virginia Virginia, Association of School Superintendents, George Mason University, University of Virginia, Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority, Department of Health Professions
Program start date
Fall 2026
Application Window
TBD
Career Pathways Available
• School-Based Mental Health Navigator
• Peer Support/Recovery Navigator
• Community Mental Health Navigator
Program Description
By serving with the Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC), members help expand youth mental health services across the state and build meaningful career pathways in behavioral health. Member activities include:
- Supportive guidance and counseling
- Health and human services
- Parent and family engagement
- College and career readiness
- Enrichment
- Academic support
Certification Pathways
As a Colorado Youth Mental Health Corps Member, you’ll have the opportunity to enter a mental health career path through three certification pathways:
School-Based Mental Health Navigator
Members will serve through school-based and afterschool programs providing behavioral supports promoting positive mental health for students ages 12 - 18.
Members will serve through Serve Virginia and programming will align with the state’s “Right Help, Right Now” initiative, expanding school-based mental health services and investments in the behavioral health workforce. Alumni of Virginia’s YMHC will be certified and ready for employment in entry-level school roles.
Peer Support/Recovery Navigator
Members will meet with youth in recovery, engaging them in individual support and mentoring, provide referrals for resources, and facilitate groups focused on skill building activities.
Community Mental Health Navigator
Members will help families navigate resources, expand the capacity of school or community-based clinics and build rapport with students and families while providing connections to other programs and initiatives.
Essential qualifications to participate in the Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps
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Must be 18 - 24 years old at start of service
Must have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or Lawful Permanent Resident
Member Benefits
While all Youth Mental Health Corps members have access to a variety of professional support, financial, and personal supports, Virginia members will have access to:
Access to Member Assistance Plan
Trainings for BHT credential completion
Networking opportunities with other YMHC members
Employer partnerships after term of service
Special trainings
Training scholarships
Member living allowance
Training Opportunities
All members will receive the training required to become a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) or Behavioral Health Technician Assistant (BHT-A). These qualifications allow individuals to:
- Perform collaborative behavioral health services
- Provide training on prevention of mental health and substance use disorders
- Support screenings, intakes, orientations, care coordination, client education, and record keeping
School Based Mental Health Navigator Pathway members will have access to:
- Members will complete the training necessary to become facilitators of selected social-emotional learning curriculums.
- YMHC members will have access to a custom Youth Mental Health First Aid training to navigate both in-school and out-of-school conversations about youth mental health.
Peer Support/Recovery Navigator Pathway members will have access to::
- YMHC members will complete the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBDS) Peer Recovery training.
- During the service term, members will complete the 500 hours of volunteer or paid experience specific to peer recovery services to be eligible to earn the Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) certification.
- Members will have the option to complete the 40-hour training to become a Youth Support Partner, providing peer support through evidence-based practices.
Community Mental Health Navigator Pathway members will have access to::
- Members will complete training and experience to earn a Community Health Worker credential through a partnership with the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority.
- YMHC members will be connected to a resource network through the Area Health Education Centers to build their professional network of Community Health Workers.
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.
Interested in Applying?
To learn more about the Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps and how to apply, visit [TBD] website.
