A Topeka-based non-profit organization is spearheading an initiative to support aspiring mental health professionals through the establishment of a scholarship program.
The Jones Project, in collaboration with Advisors Excel and The Ellis Foundation, has introduced the Jones Family Scholarship with the aim of fostering the development of future mental health practitioners.
Damon Parker, Executive Director of the Jones Project, expressed enthusiasm about the unique opportunity presented by the scholarship initiative, highlighting its potential to make a lasting impact across various communities. “The opportunity to do something truly unique that could leave a lasting impression in multiple communities is exceedingly rare,” Parker remarked.
The scholarship will be awarded to four high school students from Kansas who will be attending an in-state institution and pursuing careers in mental health. In addition to financial assistance, recipients will also receive a bonus incentive if they choose to practice in Kansas following the completion of their degree.
Parker emphasized the importance of expanding access to mental health services in Kansas, citing the organization’s initial mission to address teen mental health concerns. “The initial mission of The Jones Project was to be the ‘tip of the spear’ in the conversation around teen mental health,” Parker explained. “As I traveled the state and met face-to-face with students, counselors, and community members, I saw firsthand that access to mental health services in rural areas was a tremendous challenge. Some students have to drive two or more hours to meet face-to-face with a therapist.”
Further details regarding the scholarship, including eligibility criteria and application procedures, will be announced in the near future, according to Parker.
