About HRSA
Beginning in 2017, The PennWest California Counselor Education and Social Work Departments were selected as the recipients of two Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants. In total, over $3.2 million has been awarded to the departments with nearly $2 million earmarked directly to students through $10,000 stipends. In addition, the programs offer a variety of events including webinars and free training opportunities engaging students, experts, clinicians, and community members.
HRSA Programs
The HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) program aims to increase the behavioral health workforce in rural and/or medically underserved communities. In addition, the program aims to increase knowledge and practice in interdisciplinary collaboration for students, faculty, and existing clinicians. This program was established through a $1.9 million award to the Counselor Education and Master of Social Work Programs.
The BHWET Program is available to 30 graduate students per year in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Master of Social Work Programs. Students who complete their clinical field work over two semesters at a behavioral health site in a rural and/or medically underserved location at eligible to apply. The BHWET program is currently serving its last cohort of students with the grant ending in August 2022. Additional BHWET support is not expected at this time.
The HRSA Opioid Workforce Expansion Program (OWEP) program enhances community-based experiential training for students preparing to become behavioral health professionals with a focus on Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and other Substance Use Disorders (SUD) prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This program provides training for behavioral health professionals in the provision of OUD and other SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services in high need and high demand areas. This program was established through a $1.3 million award to the Counselor Education and Master of Social Work programs.
The OWEP Program is available to 27 graduate students per year in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Master of Social Work Programs. Students who complete their clinical field work at a site addressing OUD and/or SUD through prevention, treatment, and/or recovery are eligible to apply. The OWEP program is currently serving its last cohort of students with the grant ending in August 2022. The HRSA team hopes to secure additional funding for the OWEP program. Check back in late summer 2022 for updates on future program funding.
Student Opportunities
The Counselor Education and Social Work Departments (now in the Health & Human Service Professions Department) were awarded two federal grants focused on expanding the workforce creating the BHWET and OWEP programs at PennWest California. These programs provide students with a $10,000 stipend while completing their clinical field experience in the grant’s focus area. This is a wonderful opportunity to expand student learning in high demand areas, while receiving a stipend to assist with expenses. Funding to attend trainings, conferences and associated travel may also be available to HRSA stipend recipients. The BHWET and OWEP programs are currently serving their final cohort of students. The HRSA team hopes to secure additional funding for the OWEP program. Check back in late summer 2022 for updates on future program funding.
Student Training/Travel Application
HRSA stipend recipients are eligible to apply for training/conference and travel related fees.
To Apply: Application and instructions are available here.
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