Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training (BHWET) Field Stipend Program
Application Packet
Overview
The Clinical Practice with Children and Youth Specialization (CPCYS) is designed to serve students interested in joining the
behavioral health workforce serving children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth at risk for developing or who have
developed a recognized behavioral health disorder in the St. Louis Metro Area. After graduation, students will be equipped to
provide high quality, recovery-oriented and state-of the-art evidence-based services to at-risk children and youth.
As a specialization within the Clinical Concentration, the Social Work Practice with Children and Youth specialty consists of
15 hours (9 hours of course work and six hours of practicum) taken as part of the 57 hours required for graduation from the
MSW program. Required courses include: (1) SWRK 5761 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice with Children and Youth; (2)
SWRK 5764 Child, Youth, and Family Services; and (3) SWRK5731/5732 Inter-professional Team Seminar Fall/Spring.
Students choose one elective from a list of electives that include: (1) SWRK 5757 Foundations of Family Practice; (2) SWRK
5744 Substance Use Interventions; (3) SWRK 5773 Approaches to Trauma Care; (4) SWRK 5775 Trauma Services for
Children and Adolescents; (5) SWRK 5760 Behavioral Interventions with Children and Adolescents; (6) SWRK 5742
Evidence-Based Practice in Community Mental Health. As part of the CPCYS, students complete a two-semester practicum
at an approved field site. Practicum sites include well-respected inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient behavioral health
clinics, and residential treatment centers serving at-risk children and youth in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
Students interested in participating in the CPCYS may apply for a field stipend of $10,000 through the Behavioral Health
Workforce Education and Training Grant (BHWET) received from the Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA).
Field Stipend Eligibility Requirements
1. Students receiving stipends must have completed foundation and be in the last 6 to 12 months of their program. Students
may substitute equivalent courses offered at other institutions pending the approval of the MSW Program Director and the
Clinical Concentration Coordinating Committee.
2. Plan to begin their advanced clinical concentration-level field practicum at an approved CPCYS site during the Spring
2017, Summer 2017 or Fall 2017 semesters. Students beginning concentration-level field placements before or after these
semesters are not eligible to apply. Please note that field stipends can only be disbursed while a student is in their
advanced clinical concentration-level practicum (i.e. SWRK 5832 (Practicum II) and/or SWRK 5833 (Practicum III).
3. Students applying for HRSA stipends must complete all Clinical Practice with Children and Youth Specialization (CPCYS)
requirements. This includes the Inter-professional Team Seminar for Fall and Spring.
4. Students must be in good academic standing.
Please include the following materials with your application. Incomplete application packages will not be reviewed.
1. Completed application form, course plan and assurance form (pages 1-3).
2. A full resume or CV.
3. 2-3 letters of recommendation that highlight the practice and/or academic strengths that make you a strong candidate for
the clinical practice with children and youth specialization HRSA stipend program. Letters of recommendation can be
included in a sealed envelope with your application package or can be sent by the recommender directly to Dr. Michael
Mancini (address below).
4. Letter of Intent: In a 2 to 3 page cover letter describe: (1) how your background, interests and/or experiences have led you
to pursue a career working with children, adolescents and/or transitional age youth at risk for behavioral health problems;
(2) three goals that you have for your field placement working with the above population; and (3) your plan to pursue a
behavioral health career working with children, adolescents, and/or transitional age youth at risk for developing or who
have developed a recognized behavioral health disorder upon graduation.
Completed application packages should be received by Friday, October 14
th
2016. Please mail applications to:
Michael A Mancini
Saint Louis University School of Social Work
315 Tegeler Hall
3550 Lindell Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63103