Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students - Loma Linda University (LLU), located in the underserved and impoverished San Bernardino County (SBC) in southern California, is committed to addressing a critical shortage of mental health providers and improving healthcare access for medically underserved communities (MUCs). The region faces significant barriers to mental health care, with a shortage of qualified clinical psychologists trained to work in primary care settings. To address this need, our accredited clinical psychology doctoral program proposes to continue our 2020-2025 SDS efforts through the Primary Care Psychology Pathways Program (4P). This program will offer scholarships to disadvantaged students committed to serving in SBC and other high-need areas, in collaboration with three existing HRSA pipeline development grants: THC, PCTE, and GPE. Our program aims to meet three key goals: 1) increase the number of clinical psychologists trained in primary care, 2) strengthen the health professions workforce, and 3) improve healthcare access and quality in high-need regions. We will achieve these objectives through a series of targeted objectives, including providing scholarships, enhancing student retention, and preparing students for careers in primary care settings. Specifically, we will provide $40,000 scholarships to 37 students annually, renewable for up to two years (up to $120,000 total), to support their education in the primary care psychology track. This will help reduce the financial barriers that many students face, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our students will complete clinical practicum training in primary care, rural, Tribal and other MUC settings across SBC, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in the communities that need them most. These students will be prepared to provide essential mental health services in settings that currently lack qualified providers, thereby helping to alleviate the region's mental health provider shortage. In addition to financial support, the program will focus on increasing the retention of clinical psychology students from backgrounds that align with the region's needs. We will monitor evidence-based strategies to ensure that students remain engaged and successful in their training. As part of the program, students will participate in Professional Orientation Development and Support (PODS), which offers mentorship from experienced faculty and 4p alumni, supplemental training in external funding opportunities, and guidance on working in primary care and MUC settings. We will also provide support for internship and post-graduation preparation to ensure that students are well-prepared to enter the workforce and are aware of Loan Repayment Programs. Our program's impact extends beyond the classroom. We aim to create a national model for increasing the number of clinical psychology graduates in primary care and distributing them to high-need regions. The success of our program will be shared with other institutions to inspire similar efforts nationwide. The Department of Psychology at LLU currently enrolls 136 students, the majority of whom come from economically, educationally, or geographically disadvantaged backgrounds. This closely matches the communities in SBC that are most in need of mental health services. By focusing on recruiting students who reflect the populations we serve, the 4P program will help develop a workforce that is not only skilled but also deeply committed to the needs of the communities it serves. In summary, the 4P: Primary Care Psychology Pathways Program will help address the mental health provider shortage in Southern California by providing scholarships to disadvantaged students, preparing them for careers in primary care, and supporting them throughout their training. By doing so, we aim to improve healthcare access and quality for underserved populations, while also contributing to the national effort to enhance and strengthen the mental healthcare workforce.
