NASMHPD manages a diverse portfolio of programs focused on effectively identifying and responding to the training and technical assistance needs of an array of entities, including:  state and local mental health agencies and other systems serving persons with mental health needs; provider organizations; consumers; families; planning and advisory councils, and systems of higher learning.   This assistance covers a variety of administrative, policy, financial, clinical, and program areas.   Examples of frequently-addressed topics include:  the prevention of coercive practices such as seclusion and restraint; the planning and implementation of evidence-based practices; successfully achieving the goals of the Federal Mental Health Block Grant Program; promoting an understanding of the impact of trauma and the need for trauma-informed care; clinical protocols and program design that support recovery and enhance resilience for individuals across the lifespan; financing strategies, including Medicaid; workforce development; cross-system collaboration; strategic planning; and consumer empowerment, including the use of consumer-directed care and the expansion of meaningful roles for consumers in all stages of program/service planning, delivery, and evaluation.

The ultimate goal of such training and technical assistance is the development, implementation, and improvement of policies, programs, services, and supports that facilitate the well-being of individuals with mental health needs.  NASMHPD’s approach recognizes that in order to achieve these goals, training activities must: be customized to meet the unique needs of each group; include the highest levels of subject matter expertise with an unwavering commitment to quality; and involve a broad range of key stakeholders, including consumers who can offer unique knowledge and perspectives.

NASMHPD’s current programs tasked with this important effort are the National Technical Assistance Center for State Mental Health Planning (NTAC), and the Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI).