WVU Social Work program trains students to meet needs of rural West Virginia

West Virginia’s rural communities often suffer from a shortage of behavioral health care providers, a deficiency being addressed by West Virginia University’s School of Social Work, which has implemented the Rural Integrated Behavioral Health Training program. The program trains Masters of Social Work students to work in these communities, and has received its third cycle of funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Carrie Rishel
Professor of Social Work
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

“This grant will benefit not only the students of the program, but have a ripple effect to benefit residents of the state. (Students will) be learning the direct skills but also how to communicate their vision in their community, state and country to shift the whole way services are offered.”

CarrieRishel audio file (1:55)

Contact information: 304.293.6377; carrie.rishel@mail.wvu.edu

Helen Hartnett
Professor of Social Work
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

“This award is consistent with the school of social work's commitment to working to overcome the shortage of behavioral health care providers in rural and medically underserved communities in West Virginia. Through every grant cycle, we’ve been able to learn from our evaluation of what’s working and what’s not working and then improve our program.”

HelenHartnett audio file (:38)

Contact information: helen.hartnett@mail.wvu.edu

Savanna Brown
Clinical Therapist
Community Care of West Virginia

“The program was an amazing experience that taught me a great deal about integrated settings, which I now work in, as well as how to competently approach and communicate with rural youth.”

Contact information: 304.212.8581; sbrown51@mix.wvu.edu

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WVU Social Work program trains students to meet needs of rural West Virginia

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