The Adams State University School of Counselor Education received a $1,437,098 Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) grant. The project will incentivize Colorado residents to enroll in the Adams State Master of Arts in counseling program, with a specialty in clinical mental health. Students will be prepared to treat mental health conditions and serve clients in a variety settings. Upon program completion, graduates will be license eligible in Colorado.
Christina Harrell, Ph.D., assistant professor of counselor education and clinical mental health program chair, said the CDHE Behavioral Health Initiative Program aims to support individuals with mental health disorders by increasing the behavioral healthcare workforce. “Adams State has a robust master’s in clinical mental health counseling program; however, the world needs more graduates to meet the increase in demand for mental health services.”
When Dr. Harrell realized a significant amount of federal funding was available for counseling students, she applied for the grant. “I also value the removal of barriers to support Colorado-eligible students who will have increased access to an educational pursuit they may not otherwise have available.”
School of Counselor Education students on the clinical mental health specialty track may be eligible for grant funds to pay for tuition. The eligibility criteria include Colorado resident residing in a rural area; Pell grant eligible; or were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant funds are being allocated this summer, in collaboration with financial aid. Current Adams State counselor graduate students who reside in a Colorado rural area and/or meet the eligibility threshold for the Pell grant have been identified through institutional data. Eligible students will receive an email outlining the grant opportunity, eligibility criteria, and Dr. Harrell’s contact information.
Dr. Harrell taught full-time throughout the grant writing proposal and this summer term and will continue teaching into the 2023-24 academic year.
