Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training Program

SUNY Plattsburgh has been awarded a $2.4M Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This exciting program supports 16 graduate students in social work and clinical mental health counseling with a $25,000 stipend.

The grant also supports the creation of a regional training institute to strengthen behavioral health services and prepare students for careers in underserved communities.

Program Benefits

Students selected as BHWET scholars receive:

A $25,000 stipend
Specialized training on integrated behavioral healthcare with a focus on children, adolescents and young adults (18-25)
Additional supports during practicum and field placements
Opportunities to engage with students, clinicians and faculty across behavioral health disciplines
Invitation to recruitment events with behavioral health organizations in high-need, underserved communities.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be:

A SUNY Plattsburgh graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. or Social Work, M.S.W.
Enrolled in your final experiential learning practicum or field placement
A U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status
Committed to pursuing a behavioral health career in an underserved community with preference given to students committed to working in the project’s service region which includes Albany, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties

How to Apply

The application process for grant funding varies, depending on whether you are a prospective graduate student or a currently enrolled graduate student.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Social Work Students Enrolled in the 60-credit Master’s Program — Follow the current student application instructions below, in the year before your final experiential learning placement.
Advanced Standing Social Work Master’s Students — Follow the prospective student application instructions below.

Current SUNY Plattsburgh Graduate Students — Social Work, M.S.W. & Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
The fellowship coordinators will reach out directly to provide information and application materials to current clinical mental health counseling and social work students who will be completing their final experiential learning placement during the upcoming academic year.

Note: Clinical mental health counseling and social work (60 credit option) graduate students will be eligible to apply for this funding after they have completed a year or more of study.
- Social Work Students — The application deadline for social work students is Feb. 28, 2026 and they will be notified of their selection by Mar. 7, 2026. To accept the fellowship offer, current social work students must complete and submit the Student Commitment Form by Mar. 21, 2026.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Students — Please consult the graduate program coordinators for deadlines and specific application details for CMHC students
Prospective Graduate Students — Advanced Standing Social Work, M.S.W.
1. Submit a completed application for admission to the advanced standing social work graduate program by the deadline of Jan. 9, 2026.
2. Await a decision from the admissions committee (expected late Feb. 2026)
3. Students accepted for admission to the graduate program will be invited by the faculty to apply for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Fellowship
4. BHWET Fellowship applications must be received by the faculty by Feb. 28, 2026
5. Fellowship recipients will be notified of their selection by the faculty as a behavioral health fellow by Mar. 7, 2026
6. Complete steps to accept and confirm fellowship offer on or before Mar. 21, 2026:
  1. Complete the BHWET Fellowship Student Commitment Form
  2. Receipt of enrollment deposit for graduate admission

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,393,767. The information provided on this site has been created by the project and does not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.