Funds to Enhance Graduate Training and Diversify Behavioral Health Workforce
The University of Cincinnati (UC) has partnered with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), Central State University (CSU), and local mental health agencies to launch a transformative initiative addressing the escalating mental health needs of K-12 students in the region.
Backed by a three-year, $3.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Cincinnati Mental Health, Education, and Successful Urban Relationship Expansion in the Schools (MEASURES) program is designed to expand the behavioral health workforce and foster inclusive, supportive environments for students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.
The program provides tuition stipends to UC graduate students pursuing degrees in school counseling, mental health counseling, school psychology, and social work. A collaboration with CSU aims to create a pipeline for CSU students, enhancing workforce diversity and better reflecting the communities served by school-based mental health professionals.
“This initiative addresses a pressing need for mental health services in schools, particularly in diverse and high-need communities,” said Amanda La Guardia, associate professor in UC’s School of Human Services and co-author of the grant. “We must ensure that future professionals are equipped to meet the unique challenges facing today’s students.”
Dana Harley, UC professor of social work and co-author of the grant, highlighted the program’s broader goals. “We are strategically preparing professionals who can cultivate culturally inclusive and identity-safe environments, essential for supporting the mental well-being of all students,” Harley said.
Program Objectives
The MEASURES program focuses on four primary goals to tackle gaps in school-based mental health services:
Recruitment and Financial Support
The program will identify and recruit 45 graduate students over three years—nine annually—from diverse backgrounds. Participants will specialize in school-based mental health disciplines, directly addressing the critical shortage of mental health providers in K-12 education.
Career Education in Mental Health
Partnering with local education agencies, the program will provide mental health career education for high-need K-12 students, encouraging them to consider futures in behavioral health.
Inclusive Practices
Trainees will learn evidence-based methods to implement inclusive practices and create culturally responsive, identity-safe environments for students.
Strengthening Partnerships
The initiative will enhance multidisciplinary collaboration among UC, CSU, CPS, and local mental health agencies, fostering a diverse workforce to meet the needs of urban school populations.
As the demand for mental health services continues to grow, particularly in schools serving diverse communities, programs like MEASURES are pivotal in preparing a new generation of professionals to address these challenges. By emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration, this initiative aims to reshape the behavioral health landscape in schools, offering vital support to students who need it most.
Related topics:
