Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration Grant Program

Through this DOE-funded initiative, over the course of the 5-year project the School Psychology Department, in partnership with WJC’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD), will recruit and place 100 graduate students within high-need LEAs to expand experiential training opportunities and increase the number and diversity of trained providers that are available to address the shortages of mental health services professionals in these identified school districts. Additionally, the CWD will recruit 100 paraprofessionals from diverse backgrounds who work in high-need LEAs and create mental health career pathways for program participants to complete their undergraduate studies at local community colleges or through WJC’s BS Completion Program.

The goals and objectives of the WJC MHSP Grant Program are as follows:

1. Provide field education experiences in high-need LEAs for 100 graduate students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., ethnic, linguistic, racial, and sexual minority groups; individuals with disabilities; groups from low-income communities).
2. Offer scholarships and stipends to graduate students who are from diverse backgrounds and/or complete their field education experiences at participating LEAs.
3. Provide professional development trainings for mental health providers, teachers, and other school personnel on culturally responsive and inclusive practices to foster identity-safe learning environments for children and adolescents at participating LEAs.
4. Create mental health career pathways for 100 paraprofessionals from diverse backgrounds (e.g., ethnic, linguistic, racial, and sexual minority groups; individuals with disabilities; first-generation students) who work in high-need LEAs.
5. Provide scholarships to paraprofessionals from diverse backgrounds (e.g., ethnic, racial, sexual, and linguistic minority groups; individuals with disabilities; individuals from low-income backgrounds) to pursue additional trainings, certifications, and/or mental health degrees at local community colleges or at WJC.
6. Evaluate the program’s impacts on participants’ knowledge, skills, and competency to serve children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youths in underserved communities.
7. Engage in continuous program monitoring, evaluation, and management practices throughout the course of the funded project.

Below is the list of school districts that the MHSP Program is connected with:

• Abby Kelley Foster Charter School
• Abington Public Schools
• Bridgewater-Raynham Public Schools
• Canton Public Schools
• East Bridgewater Public Schools
• Easton Public Schools
• Haverhill Public Schools
• Lynn Public Schools
• Middleborough Public Schools
• Milford Public Schools
• Stoughton Public Schools
• TECCA Commonwealth Virtual School
• Weymouth Public Schools
• Woburn Public Schools
• Worcester Public Schools

Note: Eligible students may apply to other school district training sites that serve the target groups and are located in underserved communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. New partner agencies must sign a Memorandum of Agreement to join the MHSP Program.

Below is the list of affiliated community colleges where paraprofessionals can complete their associate degrees through the MHSP Program:

• Middlesex Community College
• North Shore Community College
• Quincy College
• Quinsigamond Community College

Note: Paraprofessionals who hold an associate degree and are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree can learn more about the requirements of the BS Completion in Psychology and Human Services Program at William James College. Additionally, eligible paraprofessionals may apply to other community colleges that are located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. New academic partners must meet the grant requirements and sign a Memorandum of Agreement to join the MHSP Program.

An eligible applicant for the MSHP Fellowship is someone who meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. Identifies as belonging to a group that is underrepresented in the field of behavioral health or school psychology (e.g., LGBTQIA+ groups; ethnic, linguistic, racial or religious minority groups; first-generation college students; military/veteran personnel; individuals with a disability).
2. Has a strong interest in working in high-need LEAs.
3. Is committed to serving children and adolescents from historically marginalized and underserved communities.

Additionally, eligible candidates must:

1. Be accepted for enrollment as a student leading to a MA/CAGS degree in School Psychology, MA in Clinical Mental Health, or PsyD in Clinical Psychology.
2. Be a citizen or national of the United States, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or a foreign national having in their possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.

Students who are selected to participate in the WJC MHSP Grant Program will be required to:

• Complete a field education placement at an approved site that meets criteria for a high-need LEA
• Work at their designed field site over the course of the academic year (Practicum students 16-20 hours per week or at least 600 hours-Interns 20-24 hours per week or at least 840 hours)
• Provide direct care services (assessments, individual therapy, group counseling, etc.) to identified children and adolescents
• Meet all field training sites’ expectations (hours on-site, collateral contact, supervision, multidisciplinary team meetings, etc.)
• Adhere to Field Education department requirements, and program policies and procedures for professional conduct and ethical behavior.
• Attend weekly didactic seminars through WJC focusing on evidence based and culturally responsive practices.
• Remain in good academic standing
• Engage in a mentorship program
• Be involved in parent outreach
• Complete and submit Time2Track reports
• Actively engage in program evaluation-related activities (e.g., complete surveys and other data collection tools) that are required by the program and the U.S. Department of Education
• Maintain ongoing communication with MHSP Program staff
• Complete other tasks, as required by MHSP Program.

Field Placements will:

• Complete mid-year and end of year evaluations for each student as well as host site mid and end of year site visits
• Site Supervisors will attend an orientation in the fall

An eligible applicant for the MSHP Fellowship is someone who meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. Identifies as belonging to a group that is underrepresented in the field of behavioral health or school psychology (e.g., LGBTQIA+ groups; ethnic, linguistic, racial or religious minority groups; first-generation college students; military/veteran personnel; individuals with a disability).
2. Has a strong interest in working in high-need LEAs.
3. Is committed to serving children and adolescents from historically marginalized and underserved communities.

Additionally, eligible candidates must:

1. Be employed by a partnering high-need LEA as a paraprofessional or in a relevant position that involves the direct provision of services to children, adolescents, or transitional aged youth from underserved communities.
2. Be a citizen or national of the United States, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or a foreign national having in their possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.
3. Hold a high school diploma/GED/HiSET and be enrolled in a partnering community college, or applying to the WJC BS Completion Program (if already in possession of an Associate Degree).

• Be employed by a partnering high-need LEA as a paraprofessional or in a relevant position that involves the direct provision of services to children, adolescents, or transitional aged youth from underserved communities
• Enroll in a participating Community College (for Associate Degree) or WJC’s BS Completion Program (for Bachelor Degree)
• Be admitted to the MHSP Program
• Participate in an orientation training for the MHSP Program
• Obtain career counseling and academic supports through the MHSP Program
• Participate in professional development activities (e.g., a 2-day summer institute) offered through the MHSP Program
• Grant permission to the MHSP staff to communicate with academic institutions (e.g., community colleges) where paraprofessionals are pursuing their undergraduate degrees
• Maintain ongoing communication with the MHSP Program staff
• Actively engage in program evaluation-related activities (e.g., complete surveys and other data collection tools) that are required by the program and the U.S. Department of Education
• Complete other tasks, as required by the MHSP Program

Graduate Students

Potential applicants and students who are interested in joining the MHSP Fellowship will be required to complete and submit the following: 

1. Online application
2. Résumé/CV
3. Two letters of recommendation (one of which should be from a clinical supervisor)
4. Essay (<500 words) describing reasons for pursuing a career in the field of School Psychology or Behavioral Health, your past and current work related experiences providing services to culturally diverse groups and underserved communities, and any significant financial difficulties you are experiencing that show how this grant would support you in achieving your career goals. Additionally, the essay should discuss your long-term professional goals.
5. All applicants must also submit a FAFSA form to the Financial Aid Office.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all scholarships and stipends are awarded. The recruitment period for the MHSP Program typically starts in December. The application due date will be published on an annual basis and disseminated to the William James College community via email.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Completed application materials will be reviewed by the MHSP Program faculty. Following a comprehensive application review process, eligible candidates will be invited for an interview with the MHSP Program faculty. Interviews will be conducted as the applications are received and reviewed and will take place in-person or via Zoom. Students will be notified of a final decision 1-2 weeks following the interview.

Note: Candidates who apply to a high-need LEA that is not a current partner must inform the site of the MHSP Program’s requirements. Sites must meet all criteria to be considered before a student can be found eligible for MHSP Grant Program. All training sites will receive $5,000 per trainee to defray the cost of supervision as well as receiving training opportunities and have paraprofessionals working in the district be eligible for the MHSP grant. New and existing district partners will be required to sign a Memorandum of Agreement, submit a W-9 form, and document how funds received from the grant are expended.

Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals who are interested in applying will complete an online application form via Qualtrics, and submit a résumé and two letters of recommendation. Candidates will need to hold a high school diploma or GED/HiSET and be applying to or enrolled in a partnering community college. Candidates already in possession of an associate degree will complete the application for the BS Completion Program at William James College. Following a review of application materials, eligible applicants will have an interview and be notified of a decision within 1-2 weeks of the interview.