The funding supports the Marshall University Behavioral Health Workforce and Development Program, an expansion of the center’s School-Based Mental Health Scholars Program. The award will provide scholarship assistance for graduate students and continuing education opportunities for current behavioral health professionals, supporting workforce retention and systems-level improvement.
The counties of Boone, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam and Wayne counties are all part of Region 5 and continue to face significant behavioral health workforce shortages. The initiative aims to address those gaps by preparing emerging and current professionals to serve in school-based settings, substance use disorder treatment centers and community behavioral health agencies.
“Past behavioral health initiatives through the center have produced strong results, with 83% of behavioral health scholars choosing to remain in the region after graduation,” said Lucia Meyer, project director. “This program builds on that success by offering training grounded in Appalachian-specific risk and protective factors related to substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns, further strengthening the providers and organizations that serve our communities.”
The scholarship component will support 20 graduate students pursuing degrees or certifications in mental health counseling, school counseling, violence, loss and trauma counseling, social work or school social work, clinical psychology and school psychology. Funds may be used for tuition, textbooks, mileage and lodging, conference fees and required technology or software. Award amounts will vary based on individual need.
The application deadline is March 6, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by an advisory council, with final decisions announced during the week of spring break.
More information and applications are available online at https://mucenterofexcellence.org/projects/behavioral-health-workforceanddevelopment/.
Questions may be directed to Meyer at meyerlu@marshall.edu.