behavioral health support specialist certification through the Department of Health. The degree will equip students with competencies to fill entry-level positions in behavioral health. Society has a need of skillful practitioners that can provide brief, evidence-based behavioral health treatment under supervision. A Behavioral Heath Support Specialist can provide brief interventions for acute stress, depression, anxiety, and other common mental and behavioral health conditions. They can facilitate symptom screening and explain results, as well as complete psychosocial assessments contributing to intake efficiency. BHSS providers can deliver structured suicide screening, assessment and management and share psychoeducation to individuals and groups. One of the practicum experiences is expected to be conducted in community settings under a licensed community provider and university supervisor, which will enable the program to foster authentic community partnerships. While these providers will not be counselors and are required to work under supervision of a licensed provider, they can support graduate level providers in their counseling activities, which will provide scaffolded support to clients in Washington State. We are confident that the Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health will prepare students with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and supervised field experience necessary to meet Washington State’s growing need for entry-level behavioral health support specialists, who can provide evidence- based interventions and contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary care teams. The targeted term for the program start is Fall 2026. Board Business and Action Agenda Selection and Approval of Board Chair and Committee Appointments Board bylaws require that a chair and vice chair be elected annually. Elections were conducted and Jeff Hensler was voted in as board chair and Gladys Gillis was voted in as vice chair. Central Washington University Policy 1-60-040 provides that membership on committees of the board shall be for a one-year term and membership of committees shall be by the appointment of the chair. Committee appointments for 2025-2026 are as follows: Executive Committee
• Jeff Hensler • Gladys Gillis • Erin Black
Academic Affairs • Erin Black
• Jeff Charbonneau • Gladys Gillis Finance and Administration • Ray Conner • Gladys Gillis • Zabrina Jenkins Student Engagement and Success • Jeff Charbonneau
16 Board of Trustees Minutes July 24-25, 2025
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