The University of Connecticut School of Social Work was awarded a $2.4 million federal grant to train the future of Connecticut’s behavioral health workforce, according to UConn Today.
The grant is a major step in addressing the growing youth mental health crisis across the state and the demand for the behavioral health workforce, according to Dr. Jon Phillips, an assistant professor at the school.
Local rates of youth behavioral health issues in Connecticut are rising, leading to a growing demand for behavioral health services at a time when there is already a significant shortage of trained clinicians, according to the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut. Low reimbursement rates for providers and a lack of stable funding for critical programs have further strained the system. As a result, many children across the state face long waiting lists for services and, in some cases, are directed to hospital emergency departments that are not equipped to provide appropriate behavioral health care.
As youth mental health challenges rise across Connecticut, Phillips is helping lead the effort to meet the growing demand for trained behavioral health professionals through the new $2.4 million federal grant. Phillips is working to train the next generation of social workers to collaborate with other health care workers to better serve children and families across Connecticut.
According to the UConn School of Social Work, the grant will support the Behavioral Health Scholars Program, which prepares Master of Social Work students to address the growing behavioral health needs of children and youth across Connecticut.
Each year, 17 students will be selected as Behavioral Health Scholars, receiving a $25,000 scholarship, specialized coursework, intensive practicum placements and faculty mentorship, according to Phillips. Scholars will complete practicums at partner agencies providing integrated behavioral health care, including Wheeler Clinic, the Village for Families and Children, Community Health Services, and Community Mental Health Affiliates.
According to UConn School of Social Work , the program emphasizes a “whole person” approach that integrates behavioral health and primary care while providing interprofessional learning and mentorship to prepare students for culturally competent, high-quality practice. Over the four-year grant period, 68 students are expected to graduate, helping to strengthen the state’s behavioral health workforce and expand access to essential services for children and families.
A key component of the BHSP is training social work students to collaborate effectively with other medical providers.
According to Phillips, through intensive practicums in integrated care settings, students work alongside physicians, nurses, and other health professionals, learning firsthand how to coordinate services and provide holistic care.
“BHSP is preparing them to work with primary care providers, really learning what it means to engage in professional collaboration,” Phillips said.
The program builds on that commitment by strengthening the behavioral health workforce and providing specialized training for faculty and practicum supervisors. According to Phillips, this approach helps students bridge the gap between behavioral health and primary care, improving outcomes for children and families across Connecticut.
As the BHSP prepares to welcome its first cohort this fall, Phillips noted that UConn is taking active steps to address the growing mental and behavioral health needs of children in the state. By training social workers to collaborate with medical providers and provide integrated care, the program aims to strengthen both the workforce and the communities they serve.
More information about the BHSP and other opportunities in integrated behavioral health can be found by reaching out to the UConn School of Social Work at SWAdmission@uconn.edu