Oregon AFSCME Apprentices Celebrate Graduation in Behavioral Health

As another National Apprenticeship Week drew to a close, Oregon's United We Heal program celebrated a significant milestone. In a graduation ceremony held in Portland, a new group of behavioral health professionals expressed gratitude for the opportunities ahead, as they prepared to step into roles that are crucial for addressing workforce shortages in the sector.

The United We Heal apprenticeships are part of a broader initiative by AFSCME’s Job Training and Development Center. This national effort aims to bolster public service staffing through comprehensive workforce development programs tailored to meet the needs of industries like behavioral health.

Among the graduates was Lysandra Robnett, who completed the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor apprenticeship. Reflecting on her journey, Robnett shared, “A little over five years ago, I walked out of prison, and I never would have thought I'd be anywhere where I'm at today. I really wanted to be a part of the change I want to see in the world. And I have that lived experience of being on the street, being addicted, all those things. And I just wanted to make people know that they matter, even though they're still struggling, they're still human.”

The program's graduates, including Robnett, underwent extensive training and coursework to prepare for these essential roles. United We Heal collaborates with local employers, offering apprenticeships at no cost to the participants, thus facilitating career advancement while meeting a critical demand in the behavioral health field.

Other graduates from the recent ceremony achieved state certifications as Qualified Mental Health Associates. Andrea Andrew, one of the graduates, recounted her personal transformation during the training. “I fell into addiction for three years,” she said. “In those three years, I caused a lot of wreckage. I got three felonies. I came down here to Portland, where I went through detox and got into some programs here. Going through my own personal story, then working with the underserved population or the vulnerable population, I realized how much of a big need that was … with the homelessness situation here in Portland.”

Andy Friedman, the executive director of United We Heal Training Trust, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing Oregon's behavioral health crisis. “By having United We Heal partner with employers, giving them autonomy to select and hire apprentices, we strengthen our state’s ability to tackle this problem head-on,” Friedman stated. “Our graduates are a powerful example of our dedication to solving the ongoing crisis, thanks to this partnership.”

For more information on the United We Heal program, visit United We Heal. Details about National Apprenticeship Week can be found here.