The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched a free, voluntary Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for HUD multifamily service coordinators in mid-April.

HUD multifamily service coordinators can register to attend one MHFA training session, which will run throughout 2024 and into 2025. Registration is rolling, so sessions are available for new registrants for the next 90 days worth of sessions. Most trainings are virtual, but some are in person; most trainings are in English, but some are offered in Spanish.

MHFA training seats are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis and offered to HUD offices beyond multifamily service coordinators. It’s important to sign up as soon as possible to secure a spot in a training session.

• After the service coordinator fills out the first registration screen requiring name, property, HUD contract # or FHA #, address, etc., they can select the training date (additional days will be added on a rolling basis).
• The registration sheet includes tips on how to find the property’s HUD contract # or FHA # (if the property has both, only one of is needed).

Course Format:

• Virtual (two hours of pre-work, six-hour virtual instructor-led session, 30 learners)
• In-person (two hours of pre-work, 5.5-hour instructor-led session, 30 learners)

Technology needed for virtual training:

• Desktop or laptop computer, or tablet
• High-definition webcam
• Microphone and speakers (dial-in option from phones for audio also available)
• Internet connection speed of at least 5 mbps upload/download speed

Course Participation MHFA is a very interactive and comprehensive learning experience.

Participants must complete all required steps to receive their certification. There are no exceptions. Participants should keep in mind the following:

• Participants must complete all required steps prior to joining the instructor-led training.
• Participants must be present for the entire instructor-led training.
• Complete all required steps after joining the instructor-led training.
• MHFA trainers strongly encourage participation during the instructor-led training. However, given the sensitive content covered, MHFA follows a challenge by choice model. Therefore, participants will get to decide how and when you engage in each activity.
• Participant cameras must be on during virtual trainings. If participants need to step away temporarily, MHFA trainers welcomes them to do so. This requirement creates a participatory environment that allows everyone to feel a part of a community-like and psychologically safe classroom.

LeadingAge is pleased HUD is able to partner with the National Council on Mental Wellbeing to offer these trainings and will remind members to register their service coordinators to attend.

Learn more about the MHFA training.