HRSA GPE Grant Training Opportunity

Overview

Graduate Psychology Education Program

The Graduate Psychology Education Program (GPE) is focused on expanding and diversifying the behavioral health workforce to meet the growing and critical need for qualified mental health professionals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and, in particular, those trained to address substance misuse. Funded by The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this program trains doctoral students to work along with physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel to prevent, diagnose and treat substance use disorders.

A major motivation behind the GPE is the unique impact the opioid epidemic has had on Massachusetts and the broader New England area. Communities throughout the state have consistently observed an ongoing incidence of opioid overdose deaths. While the professional community has achieved successes in improving the quality and access to SUD specific treatment, the need for competent professionals remains staggeringly high. The high prevalence of co-occurring disorders presents an additional complexity within the treatment of SUD, further highlighting the need for programming intended to raise the number and skill level of practitioners working in this field.

In addition to providing integrated care for substance use and co-occurring disorders, important components of both the GPE program includes the development of tele-behavioral health skills, experiential training within an integrated team, the provision of trauma-informed care, and an emphasis on serving underserved populations.

Additional objectives include the following:

  • Seven WJC Clinical PsyD Advanced Practicum students chosen receive an annual stipend of $32,500 for a one-year 20-24 hour practicum placement. placement.
    • Practicum training sites include:
      1. Mass General Brigham: Charlestown, Chelsea, & Revere 
      2. NeighborhHealth: East Boston and the South End 
      3. Lynn Community Health Center 
  • Students receive specialized substance use training, which includes a rich didactic training program comprising the following:
    • Weekly specialized seminars
    • Quarterly in-service training opportunities
    • Access to free continuing education conferences
    • Peer consultation as well as individualized career planning opportunities
  • Opportunities for career counseling in order to train and retain a workforce specializing in working with populations diagnosed with substance use.

  • Applicants must be Advanced Practicum I or II (i.e., 3rd and 4th year) students enrolled in William James College's Clinical PsyD Program. 
  • Applicants should have an interest in working with populations diagnosed with substance use disorders. 
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens or current green card holders. 

Applications for the GPE Program are reviewed on an annual basis. A call for new applications is typically issued in the spring (e.g., May/June) and an announcement is disseminated to the Clinical Psychology Department.

Clinical PsyD students will be required to complete an application form via Qualtrics and submit a résumé and two letters of recommendation.

The criteria used to evaluate applications are as follows:

  1. Motivation to serve the underserved,
  2. Interest in providing SUD and other treatment services,
  3. High achievement in academic and field settings,
  4. Demonstrated cultural responsiveness, and
  5. Relevant language proficiency.

Decisions will be made jointly by field site training directors and a committee of WJC faculty.

Contact Information

The HRSA-funded GPE grant program is administered by Project Director Dr. John Meigs and Associate Director Dr. Lucas Silva.
For more information, please email:  john_meigs@williamjames.edu  or lucas_silva@williamjames.edu