Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program - Project Description The Rural Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program at Jacksonville State University will transform behavioral health care in rural Alabama by developing a pipeline of skilled, behavioral health professionals. Rooted in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Trauma-Informed Approach, this initiative prepares a diverse workforce to deliver integrated, culturally responsive care in high-need, underserved communities. Needs to Be Addressed Rural Alabama faces severe behavioral health provider shortages, with some areas experiencing population-toprovider ratios as high as 7,095:1. High poverty rates, limited access to care, and a lack of specialized behavioral health services exacerbate the crisis, leaving children, adolescents, and emerging adults without adequate support. These systemic barriers demand urgent action to train and retain qualified providers. Proposed Services The Rural Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program will: Eliminate financial barriers by offering scholarships and stipends to 48 MSW student trainees, enabling them to complete internships and coursework without economic hardship. Expand access to specialized behavioral health training by launching the Center for Best Practices in Rural Behavioral Health to deliver cutting-edge workshops, supervision trainings, trauma informed certifications, and professional development. Strengthen rural telehealth capacity by training students to provide high-quality, virtual behavioral health services, increasing accessibility for isolated populations. Forge strategic partnerships by collaborating with rural health organizations to enhance experiential learning and create employment opportunities. Reduce workforce burnout by providing resilience training, mentorship, and self-care workshops to improve retention and provider well-being. This project will fill workforce gaps and create a sustainable, empowered network of providers dedicated to improving rural behavioral health outcomes. Population Groups to Be Served The program prioritizes the children, adolescents, emerging adults, and families of rural Alabama, with an emphasis on underserved communities facing poverty and systemic inequities. By recruiting trainees from rural, diverse, and marginalized backgrounds, the program ensures culturally attuned care for those who need it most. Funding Priority We are requesting funding priority for addressing critical workforce shortages, promoting diversity, and advancing trauma-informed, integrated behavioral health care. This directly aligns with HRSA’s mission to enhance health equity and access in rural, high-need regions.
