MN HF4563

Establishes the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Education Center in the Department of Health to increase the number and diversity of mental health and substance use disorder treatment professionals and create a culturally responsive workforce.

Center must analyze geographic and demographic gaps in licensed providers, create career exposure programs for high school and college students, develop a licensure information website, operate a job board, track graduate program completions, and identify barriers to licensure and loan forgiveness programs.

Expands mental health provider grant eligibility to include providers serving people in non-metropolitan areas outside the seven-county metro area, specifically excluding Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Cloud.

Establishes the Youth Care Professional Training Program in the Department of Human Services to provide trauma-informed training for direct care staff in children's mental health treatment settings, with courses covering Minnesota Rules chapter 2960, maltreatment of minors, emergency procedures, physical holds, and cultural responsiveness.

Modifies clinical trainee qualifications to allow individuals who have completed graduate programs and practicums to work as clinical trainees while waiting for licensure test results or final licensure decisions.