The Behavioral Health Academy™ is an ongoing partnership between Community Health Network and the Indiana University School of Social Work to prepare students for practice with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders and to become dually-licensed as both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) in Indiana. Beginning with the first Academy™ cohort in the Fall of 2019 and expanding every year since, the program is currently available at the IUPUI, IU Fort Wayne and IU South Bend campuses as well as MSW Direct (for students living in areas supported by a collaborating Community Mental Health Center [CMHC]). Currently, the IUSSW and Community Health Network collaborate with the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center in Central Indiana, Oaklawn in South Bend, and Parkview Health/Park Center in Fort Wayne and receive funding from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.

Academy™ students join the top-ranked MSW program in the state of Indiana and simultaneously gain specialized experience and training at some of the largest and most comprehensive behavioral health systems in the state. Students not only receive an exceptional social work educational experience, but also receive additional training in evidence-based counseling approaches and a financial stipend while completing a two-semester practicum placement at one of the participating CMHCs during their final year in the program (stipend varies based on the CMHC). They will receive a priority interview for employment at the CMHC after they finish their MSW, with additional financial incentives provided for employees who earn their LCSW and LCAC after completion of the Academy™.