Funded through a Momentum Initiative Grant from the West Virginia First Foundation, the initiative will be implemented collaboratively by Community Connections Inc. and the Center of Excellence for Recovery. U-Launch will engage targeted campuses across the state, including Bethany College, Fairmont State University, Glenville State University, New River Community and Technical College, West Liberty University, West Virginia University, Wheeling University, West Virginia Northern Community College and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Through the program, 10 paid undergraduate students will be recruited, selected and trained to serve as U-Launch student leaders. Eligible students will come from fields such as psychology, social work, counseling and other related behavioral health disciplines. Students will gain supervised, hands-on experience conducting peer outreach, supporting fellow behavioral health students and implementing campus-based behavioral health initiatives.
“Strengthening West Virginia’s behavioral health workforce requires intentional investment in the next generation of professionals,” said Dr. Jamie Styons, deputy director of Community Connections Inc. “Through U-Launch, we are creating meaningful opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, build leadership skills and envision their future serving rural communities across our state.”
Under professional supervision, students will complete individualized work plans aimed at reinforcing their commitment to completing behavioral health degrees or certifications and entering West Virginia’s workforce. These plans will include strategies to engage student organizations, reach undecided majors and connect with high school seniors to increase awareness of behavioral health careers.
“The need for mental health and substance use services continues to grow, while West Virginia’s behavioral health workforce has been unable to meet that need,” said Martha Polinsky, program director of the U-Launch initiative. “This program will inspire students to pursue and complete behavioral health degrees, reinforce current students’ skills and knowledge through practical experience, and positively impact individual campuses with enhanced behavioral health opportunities.”
The program is supported by strong partnerships among the Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery, Community Connections Inc., the West Virginia Collegiate Initiative to Advance Healthy Campus Communities, the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and participating institutions of higher education. Together, these partners will offer mentorship, resources and professional development to help grow the behavioral health workforce pipeline across the state.
For more information about the U-Launch Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative, contact Martha Polinsky, program director, at 740-579-1593.