Research Project
Expanding Diversity in the CMH Workforce
- Principal Investigator
- Leathers, Sonya J.
- Research Area(s)
- Research & Sponsored Projects
- Funding Source
- Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation
Abstract
The primary aim of this project is to increase access to high-quality mental health services to low income, racially and ethnically diverse children and adolescents in Chicago. The project will focus on the critical need to increase workforce diversity and expertise in evidence-based mental health practices by recruiting and training 10 diverse masters of social work students. All program participants will be provided with enhanced, specialized training; stipends; and enhanced field placement coordination and outreach. Eight students will be also provided with two years of tuition support, and mentoring will be provided to students with an interest in being matched with a mentor. Students will also receive job placement support and mentoring by established mental health providers to support transition to the workforce and leadership in mental health. All students will be placed for a minimum of nine months in a mental health agency or other clinical setting in which they provide ongoing mental health services to between 7-10 children or adolescents. Evaluation of outcomes six months after graduation will assess extent that graduates have continued to work in mental health and to use evidence-based interventions in their practice.