Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program - To address the growing and evolving behavioral health needs of children and youth in Connecticut, the insufficient number of child behavioral health professionals, and the necessity of integrated care and interprofessional collaboration in behavioral health settings, the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Social Work (SSW) is proposing the Behavioral Health Scholars Program (BHSP). The BHSP will recruit, train, place and provide stipends for diverse cohorts of graduate social work students to receive didactic and experiential training in child and youth Integrated Behavioral Health Care (IBHC). These trainees will participate in focused coursework as well as integrated care practicum assignments that fill gaps in behavioral health service delivery within medically underserved communities (MUCs). The BHSP also includes multiple components that focus on reducing non-academic barriers to success, improving cultural competence, and enhancing interprofessional collaboration skills, the capacity of clinical supervisors, and the integration of technology and social work education and delivery. The actionable framework for the BHSP integrates the following core elements: recruitment strategies to ensure a diverse (gender, race, ethnicity, culture, physical and learning abilities, rural/underserved communities, etc.) group of trainees; online and in-person curriculum development and delivery, with cultural components and accommodations for learning disparities, and new coursework focused on practicing in integrated health care settings for children and youth, and on the unique needs in MUCs; technology-based simulations; coursework and interprofessional trainings focused on the uses of technology in IBHC; financial support/stipends for trainees and practicum supervisors; field practicum in an integrated care setting with experienced supervision and oversight; interprofessional training for BHSP students, practicum and other site staff, students and faculty in the SSW and other allied health disciplines at UConn, and the broader integrated care community; a network of mentors including faculty advisors, practicum supervisors and BHSP alumni; community engagement initiatives for stakeholder input, awareness, recruitment and practicum and job placement support; job search and placement support; alumni engagement and support to promote workforce retention and professional development through continuing education, licensing preparation, speaking invitations, and ongoing networking opportunities; and other support as needed (access to robust UConn student services, learning disparity accommodations, distance learning opportunities, and dedicated staff support, etc.) to retain, graduate and successfully place the BHSP students. The SSW has a long history of placing MSW students in integrated care practicum assignments, and thus aligns with Funding Priority 1. The BHSP also builds upon the SSW’s strong track record in training and placing at least 50% of MSW graduates each year in MUCs, and thus aligns with BHWET’s Funding Preference 1. The BHSP is designed to increase the number and diversity of graduate-level social workers who have enhanced capacity to provide evidence-based, culturally-competent, and technologically-infused behavioral health services to children and youth in integrated care settings. At the same time, the program will support the ability of providers in underserved communities to offer behavioral health services.
