Program Director for Alliant's criminal justice systems and psychology bachelor's programs Dawn Griffin, Ph.D. has received a contract for $111,000 from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).

A contract totalling $500,000 was awarded to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Family Youth Roundtable, and Alliant's Department of Undergraduate Psychology for a collaborative project to develop and document career pathways for positions employing peer personnel that provide entrance to the public behavioral health system with defined opportunities for advancement across healthcare systems (a defined career pathway).

The project will recruit peer personnel from high schools, adult education programs, higher education, and regional occupational programs as well as individuals and family members who are currently or have previously received services from public mental health systems. Specifically, Dr. Griffin and her team will establish and expand a behavioral health education and training program to fulfill positions identified by the state for the public behavioral health systems.