A $476,000 federal grant will help support efforts to expand mental health treatment for three groups considered at-risk in West Virginia — children, active-duty service members and military veterans.
The grant is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. It funds implementation of the Integrated Mental and Behavioral Health Training Program within the West Virginia University School of Social Work’s MSW program.
NASW West Virginia Chapter Executive Director Samuel Hickman wrote an endorsement letter when the school submitted its application for the grant in 2012.
Hickman noted the school program is soundly designed to recruit, retain and adequately train clinical social workers to practice integrated behavioral health in primary care.
“In addition, candidates will have unique opportunities to engage directly with experienced professionals engaged in continuing competency training,” the letter says.
An article published in The Charleston Gazette notes that the grant is aimed at tackling the state’s shortage of mental and behavioral health providers. It will support training for 25 WVU graduate students over three years, with a focus on rural delivery of services, the article states.
Hickman said part of the grant will be used to bring relevant speakers and students to the chapter’s annual conference beginning in 2014.
From the March 2013 NASW News’ Social Work in Action.
