The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for its Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET), a grant opportunity designed to develop and expand the behavioral health workforce to serve populations across the lifespan, including rural and medically underserved areas. This year’s opportunity places particular emphasis on creating meaningful internships in behavioral health that incorporate interprofessional training.
The BHWET program offers two tracks:
- Professional Track
- Supports stipends for graduate-level students in their final field placement/internship for 6-12 months
- Requires interdisciplinary training for students and interprofessional training for faculty and field placement supervisors
- Paraprofessional Certificate Track
- Supports tuition, fees, and supplies for students completing a certificate program in a behavioral health-related field for up to 12 months
- Requires an experiential placement/internship for students and encourages career advancement for paraprofessionals.
Both tracks require awardees to “implement innovative strategies to expand the recruitment, retention and training of a broad group of students who commit to provide behavioral health services for rural, vulnerable, and/or medically underserved communities.”
HRSA anticipates making up to 150 awards. The maximum request for the Professional Track is $480,000 per year, with the Paraprofessional Certificate Track granting up to $300,000 per year. The project period is four years. Applications are due June 12, 2017 with notification by September 1, 2017. Technical assistance webinars will be held May 10 (Professional Track) and May 11 (Paraprofessional Track) at 2pm. A list of previous awardees can be found here.
