Our goal is to expand the number of social work professionals prepared to serve populations across the lifespan in integrated healthcare settings in rural and urban medically underserved areas in Kansas.

Integrated Health Scholars are exceptional clinical MSW students who receive a value-added educational experience to develop knowledge and skills in integrated mental health, substance use, and primary health care service delivery. Each year, 28 clinical students will receive training and support with priority given to our Western Kansas MSW program that is located in and serves rural students and communities.

Funding is provided by a 4-year $1.8 million Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Key partners include:

• KU Medical Center for Interprofessional Education
• Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved
• KU Medical Center Rural Health Education and Services
• KU Medical Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The IHSP developed out of a prior HRSA award (2014-2018) that supported our Behavioral Health Scholars Program.

Behavioral Health Scholars Program (2014-2018)

After the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, President Obama proposed a White House Initiative, “Now is the Time” that called for efforts to decrease gun violence, increase school safety and make mental health more accessible to young people in our country. As part of this national effort, the KU School of Social Welfare (KUSSW) was awarded a $1.2 million BHWET grant from HRSA. The Behavioral Health Scholars Program (BHSP) provided specialized training in working in integrated behavioral health with at-risk adolescents and transition-age youth. The BHSP supported 80 clinical social work students including 22 from the Western Kansas MSW Program. Graduates live throughout Kansas and other states working with at-risk youth in community mental health centers, schools, primary care practices and other settings. The BHSP was led by Michelle Levy (PI), Alice Lieberman (Co-PI) and Cheryl Holmes (Evaluator).

Scholars & Graduates

The IHSP is funded by a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training award from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.