SCHNECKSVILLE, PA (February 24, 2026) – KidsPeace and Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) have launched an innovative partnership designed to help students accelerate their professional development and pursue meaningful careers in children’s mental health and behavioral services.
The new Mental Health Technician (MHT) Training Academy certification program provides students with a comprehensive foundation in clinical, regulatory, and ethical considerations in mental healthcare, grounded in KidsPeace’s more than 140-year legacy of world-class care for children and families. The curriculum blends classroom instruction, simulation laboratory sessions, and job-shadowing opportunities at KidsPeace’s Orchard Hills Campus in Orefield, PA, with in-depth coaching by professionals from the KidsPeace Institute.
Those who complete the certification will be considered preferred candidates for MHT positions at KidsPeace, with compensation equivalent to bachelor’s degree holders and the chance to accelerate training and begin to care for youth sooner, if hired.
Mental and behavioral healthcare continues to be one of the nation’s fastest growing fields, offering rewarding career opportunities for individuals with a passion for helping kids. KidsPeace MHTs provide direct supervision and care to children in therapeutic programs like those at the Orchard Hills Campus, serving as the immediate connection between the youth and the services they need.
“Our new partnership with LCCC reflects our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals who will make a profound difference in the lives of children,” said Michael W. Slack, President and CEO of KidsPeace. “By combining LCCC’s academic excellence with KidsPeace’s clinical expertise, we are empowering students within our local community to step confidently into meaningful, mission-driven careers in mental and behavioral healthcare.”
According to LCCC President Dr. Ann D. Bieber, “The MHT Training Academy represents a vital, workforce-focused initiative for the Lehigh Valley. By partnering with KidsPeace, the College is equipping students with the essential expertise and mentorship required for a high-demand sector. This program offers a pathway to meaningful careers that directly benefit children in need of urgent care.”
The MHT Training Academy is a partnership between the KidsPeace Institute and the Center for Workforce Development at LCCC. The Center provides custom learning solutions that improve employee performance and support economic development in its region. The KidsPeace Institute offers high quality and affordable trainings at the organization’s facilities in the Lehigh Valley region.
To learn more about the program and find more information related to LCCC’s courses, please visit https://www.kidspeace.org/mht-training-academy.
Since 1882, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, adults and those who love them. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened, more than 300,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers.
For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit www.kidspeace.org. Follow us at www.facebook.com/kidspeace.org or on Twitter @KidsPeace.
Information provided to TVL by:
Robert Martin
