Lessons Learned From the Implementation of a Federal Behavioral Workforce Diversity Grant at a Predominantly White Institution

Authors

  • Christine Velez University of Vermont, Social Work Department https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7313-8380
  • Maria Mercedes Avila University of Vermont Department of Pediatrics
  • Esther Doh Larner College of Medicine, Pediatrics Department, University of Vermont

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/27630

Keywords:

Health Resources Services Administration’s (HRSA) , Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET), Anti-Racist, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Justice (ADEIJ), social work

Abstract

The Health Resources Services Administration’s (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) grant program is a unique opportunity for social work programs, as well as other disciplines such as counseling, to address shortages in the behavioral health workforce and support integrated care approaches and interprofessional collaboration. BHWET programs support Anti-Racist, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Justice (ADEIJ) goals through recruitment and training of historically underserved and underrepresented students. In this preliminary program review, we explain program structure, institutional context, and demographic data to share lessons learned after 3 years of program implementation. We provide specifics on financial institutional policies which created financial barriers to underserved and underrepresented students, particularly students of color, participating in this federally funded training grant program.

Author Biographies

Christine Velez, University of Vermont, Social Work Department

Assistant Professor, Social Work Department, University of Vermont

Maria Mercedes Avila, University of Vermont Department of Pediatrics

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont

Esther Doh, Larner College of Medicine, Pediatrics Department, University of Vermont

MSW, Larner College of Medicine, Pediatrics Department, University of Vermont

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Published

2024-12-30

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2024): Volume 24, Issue 3

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Christine Velez, Mercedes Avila, Esther Doh

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.