AIA seeks to strengthen and expand its Acceptance and Integration Training® (AAIT™) certification program for mental health professionals serving rural and low-income communities in Knox County and the eight contiguous counties within the Trinity Health Foundation service area. Across East Tennessee, communities face significant shortages of mental health providers trained to address trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Therapists working in rural and underserved settings often lack access to affordable, advanced clinical training that would improve their clients’ outcomes.

Engaging a Learning and Development Consultant will enable AIA to refine the existing curriculum by incorporating current trends and best practices in trauma-informed care, adult learning styles, and online learning into a blended learning model. The consultant will also create a plan for curriculum updates based on future developments in best practices in trauma-informed mental health care.

By strengthening the training infrastructure for therapists serving underserved communities, this project will support the professional development of at least 150 clinicians, who collectively serve an estimated 2,000–3,000 clients annually, expanding access to high-quality trauma-informed mental health care across the region.