PSU-led program to launch new social worker fellowship, provider support network

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth State University has received a $1.56 million federal grant to launch a new four-year program aimed at strengthening the rural behavioral health workforce and expanding access to treatment for substance use disorder, particularly opioid use.

The Plymouth-Area Rural Opioid Training Collaborative will support workforce development and professional training to address the ongoing shortage of behavioral health providers in northern New Hampshire. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, the initiative will be led by PSU’s Social Work program in partnership with Archways, Lakes Region Mental Health Center, and Mid-State Health Center.

“This is an exciting time for PSU Social Work and the State of New Hampshire,” said Alison Mitchell, assistant professor of social work at PSU and project director for the PAROT Collaborative. “We are honored to be one of the recipients of this HRSA behavioral health training grant and look forward to working with our community partners. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to offer high-quality training and education to develop this vital sector of NH's workforce.”

The PAROT Collaborative will offer two major initiatives:

• Behavioral Health Fellowship: Up to five PSU social work students each year will receive financial support for two semesters of classroom education and practicum placements with local behavioral health partners. Fellows will graduate ready to pursue professional licensure as Certified Recovery Support Workers and enter the workforce prepared to provide recovery-oriented care.

• MOUD Community of Practice: A professional network for prescribing clinicians and other health care providers to share expertise and expand access to medication for opioid use disorder across the Plymouth region. Training clinicians who might be qualified to prescribe MOUD, but may be hesitant to do so, will build confidence and a network of peer support.

The first year of the PAROT Collaborative program will offer a modified student training program open to all seniors in the PSU social work program. It will also involve assessing the professional provider community to better understand the training needs and any other barriers to MOUD access.

This will be followed by the creation of a professional development series of lunch-and-learn seminars. The last three years of the program will involve launching and supporting the MOUD Community of Practice activities, as well as the formal fellowship training program for select students.

Additionally, grant funding may support student participation in regional or national conferences to present about their program and expand their professional networking opportunities.

For more information, visit plymouth.edu.