Contact: Bob Spieldenner
(804) 225-2628
bobspieldenner@schev.edu

June 6, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RICHMOND -- A mental health workforce pilot program at six Virginia universities improved the ability to meet student demand for counseling and reduced staff burnout at counseling centers according to a report released by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

The report reviewed the preliminary impact of Higher Education Mental Health Workforce Pilot grants to six universities: Christopher Newport, George Mason, James Madison, Longwood, Radford and Virginia Tech. It found that within a year and a half, seven grant-funded pre-licensees served 630 individual student-patients; collectively completed more than 4,486 clinical hours; reduced appointment wait times and improved staff morale.

The 2022 General Assembly appropriated $1 million for the two-year pilot with the goal of expanding mental health services to students and increasing the mental health workforce pipeline. The pilot grants were awarded in November 2022. The pilot program has been continued for FY 2025-2026 at the same funding level. The competitive request for proposals for the FY-2025-2026 pilot funding will be issued on June 4 and information can be found on the SCHEV website.

SCHEV, in consultation with the Virginia Health Care Foundation, awarded the funds to support salaries and benefits for graduates pursuing licensure to provide therapy at student counseling centers. In exchange, each hosting institution agreed to hire, train and supervise the clinical social worker or professional counselor candidates until licensed.

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