Augusta University (AU) has received a $2.4 million federal grant aimed at increasing access to mental health services for children, adolescents and young adults in high-need areas of Augusta.
The grant, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, supports a new partnership between the College of Education and Human Development and the School of Public Health.
The initiative, called “The Targeted Resources and Advanced Instruction for New Behavioral Health Professionals,” will train and place behavioral health providers in underserved communities, according to a press release from AU.
“This grant represents a spectrum of sectors, including medical, behavioral health, mental health, public health, nursing and social work,” said Alicia Becton, PhD, chair of the Department of Research, Counseling, and Curriculum in the College of Education and Human Development.
Becton, who is serving as the project’s principal investigator, is joined by co-principal investigator Raven Cokley, PhD. The leadership team also includes Richard Deaner, PhD, clinical coordinator; Jordon Beasley, PhD, clinical trainer; and Kathleen Cleveland-Kennedy, project coordinator, all from the College of Education and Human Development.
From the School of Public Health, Katherine Hatcher will serve as grant operations manager, with Ashwini Tiwari Pandey, PhD, as program evaluator.
“Our students will now have an opportunity to work with professionals and fellow students from a range of health care backgrounds, and, in turn, we will expand the access of resources for the individuals in our area,” Becton said.
The project has four key goals: expanding partnerships with training sites, promoting team-based care models, recruiting students committed to working with young populations, and increasing the number of clinical supervisors available to mentor trainees, according to a press release from AU.
“The goal isn’t just to train students during the grant period but to build a lasting pipeline of behavioral health professionals committed to serving Georgia’s youth,” Becton said.
To meet these objectives over the next four years, Augusta University will reportedly collaborate with Serenity Behavioral Health Systems, Wellstar MCG Health Pediatrics, Christ Community and Medical Associates Plus’ Neighborhood Improvement Project.
