The University of Dayton School of Education and Health Sciences has received a $1.92 million federal grant to work with 41 community partners in southwest and central Ohio to address the shortage of mental health workers and improve quality and access to mental health services for children at all stages of development.

With the funds provided by the American Rescue Plan, the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program will enable the University to place 120 mental health students at clinical sites in high-need and high-demand areas over four years. The program also will bolster recruitment of students to careers in mental health, research and programming in underserved communities.

Community partners working with the University on this effort include law enforcement, juvenile courts, hospitals, public health boards, community mental health agencies, educational service centers, schools, and faith-based organizations from the Dayton, Springfield, Columbus, London and Middletown areas.

"The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program will allow us to strengthen partnerships between mental health and public service providers to bring holistic health services to children and families in underserved areas," said Meredith Montgomery, assistant professor and clinical coordinator in the UD Department of Counselor Education and Human Services.

The majority of grant funds will go to students in clinical training who will become clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, school psychologists and clinical psychologists. The work students perform will fulfill the experiential learning requirements for licensure in their respective fields while giving them a broader understanding of community resources.

"The application clearly demonstrates that the applicant organization will utilize technology to address digital literacy, provide flexibility for clients and partners, deliver cost-effective alternatives to in-person training, create sustainable resources, and enable evaluation of program effectiveness," according to the letter notifying the partners of their award.

The four-year initiative begins July 1.

For more information, contact Meredith Montgomery, assistant professor and clinical coordinator in the UD Department of Counselor Education and Human Services, at mmontgomery2@udayton.edu. For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.