PLU Awarded $2.4 Million to Expand Behavioral Health Workforce

Pacific Lutheran University has been awarded a four-year, $2.4 million federal grant to expand the region’s behavioral health workforce and better serve children and youth in Pierce County and South Puget Sound. 

The grant comes from the Behavioral Health Workforce and Training Program for Professionals (BHWET-Pro), funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Through this grant, PLU is able to provide scholarships to graduate students preparing to enter the behavioral health field. These grant-funded scholarships are already changing the educational journey of PLU graduate students.

“This scholarship has eased the financial stress of graduate school and allows me to dedicate more time and energy to my education and practicum experience, preparing me to serve my community with compassion and commitment,” says Master of Social Work student and scholarship recipient Ashley Blackwell.

The need is urgent. More than a third of the U.S. population lives in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals, and demand for social workers and marriage and family therapists is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. In Washington, jobs for Master of Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy graduates are expected to increase by nearly 10% in the next 10 years.

This federal investment ensures PLU graduates are not only well-prepared for their professions but also positioned to meet the region’s most pressing behavioral health needs.

The grant at a glance

Faculty leading PLU’s graduate programs emphasize that this investment directly supports students while strengthening community care. “I’m excited that so many MSW and MFT students will be supported by this funding as they pursue their professional careers. This is life-changing for many of them,” said Anissa Rogers, chair of the Master of Social Work program.

At PLU, the grant will:

• Provide tuition support for 16 Master of Social Work (MSW) and Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) students in their final year of training.
• Develop new practicum sites in Pierce County focused on serving children and youth.
• Launch a supervision training program so more licensed professionals can mentor students on their path to state licensure.
• Offer training and networking to strengthen collaboration among community partners.

Support that multiplies impact on students and local communities

“This grant creates opportunities that directly benefit our MSW and MFT students and the communities they serve. We are excited to be a part of this important initiative,” says Fiona O’Farrell, chair of the Marriage and Family Therapy program.

Across the U.S., more than 122 million people live in federally-designated mental health shortage areas, and demand for behavioral health providers is projected to outpace supply well into the next decade. In Washington State, workforce shortages are especially challenging in rural counties, where residents often wait four weeks or longer to see a counselor or therapist. By increasing stipends, practicum sites, and supervision opportunities, this grant directly addresses those gaps while preparing graduates to serve where they are needed most.

For students like Zoneice Grose, the grant scholarship can provide financial flexibility to balance their career and support for their family. “This grant is truly a blessing as I am a supportive anchor for my family financially, so this will help with my tuition and not take away from my family obligations. Plus it gets me to make new connections and learn more about serious matters that come along with mental health issues with individuals.”

This grant helps remove barriers for students, allowing them to fully focus on becoming the compassionate, skilled professionals their communities urgently need.

Grant Acknowledgment:

Financial support for this project comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The award provides100% of total costs, totaling $2.4 million. The contents are those of Pacific Lutheran University and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.