Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program - The University of Bridgeport (UB) proposes the “UB Multicultural Alliance (UBMA): A Project to Sustain a Skillful, Resilient, Professional Counselor Workforce in High-Need Connecticut Communities” (Spanish: Alianza). This initiative addresses the critical shortage of mental health professionals in medically underserved areas (MUAs) and Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in Connecticut, particularly in urban centers such as Bridgeport, Hartford, and Waterbury. These cities experience significant health disparities and lack adequate behavioral health services, with youth in these areas disproportionately affected by trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and mental health crises. UBMA will recruit and train a diverse cohort of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) graduate students and interdisciplinary clinical supervisors to deliver culturally competent, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care. The program focuses on reducing educational barriers for underrepresented students, incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and motivational interviewing into its curriculum. UBMA addresses non-academic barriers through financial support (stipends and tuition), mentorship, and peer collaboration, promoting student success and clinician wellness. Over four years, 60 diverse trainees will complete experiential training in HPSAs, providing behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and young adults. The program requests a funding preference under Qualification 1, as more than 50% of UB CMHC graduates from Academic Years (AY) 2022-2023 and AY 2023-2024 have been placed in practice settings that primarily serve MUAs. UBMA’s anticipated outcomes include improving behavioral health workforce diversity, increasing access to mental health services, and enhancing the quality of culturally responsive care in Connecticut’s underserved communities. Through strategic partnerships with community-based organizations, UBMA aims to build a sustainable pipeline of well-trained, diverse mental health professionals prepared to address the needs of high-risk urban populations.
