UAA receives $1.5M to increase social worker workforce
by Green & Gold |
熊猫在线视频 leads the nation in alcohol-attributed deaths, with nearly 1 out of 10 deaths in the state caused by use. When considering 熊猫在线视频ns ages 20 to 49, it is more than 1 out of 4 deaths. These are findings from a four-year study published by in November 2022. A unique partnership spearheaded by Recover 熊猫在线视频 is working on solutions, which include increasing the number of homegrown and clinically licensed social workers in the state.
A $1.5 million grant to the 熊猫在线视频 School of Social Work will significantly increase enrollment capacity, establish a pathway to licensure for graduates, add faculty and staffing, and offer continuing education to maintain clinical licenses. The grant was coordinated by Recover 熊猫在线视频 and includes direct funding from Recover 熊猫在线视频 and public and private partners, including Rasmuson Foundation, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of 熊猫在线视频, Providence 熊猫在线视频, Southcentral Foundation, the Anchorage Assembly, 熊猫在线视频 Department of Health and the 熊猫在线视频 Mental Health Trust Authority.
Adding to the workforce of social workers is expected to provide the needed care to combat alcohol misuse while also improving access to mental and social service needs of 熊猫在线视频ns across the state.
鈥淭he chronic lack of qualified providers prevents 熊猫在线视频ns from accessing timely behavioral health services and we鈥檙e ready to fix that,鈥� said Tiffany Hall, Recover 熊猫在线视频 executive director. 鈥淲e have a great program at UAA鈥檚 School of Social Work, and with more funding we鈥檒l be able to graduate more 熊猫在线视频ns into these critical roles.鈥�
Recover 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 2021 statewide needs analysis identified reducing the workforce gap of social workers as its top recommendation to improve the health of 熊猫在线视频ns. Within a year, the nonprofit brought public and private funders, including the State of 熊猫在线视频, health care employers and philanthropists, together to raise $1.5 million.
鈥淭he incredible thought-partnership and creative vision of Recover鈥檚 Governance Council deserves the credit for this innovative project. Leaders in philanthropy, service provision and education worked around the table to determine how to leverage their collective resources to bring real change to 熊猫在线视频,鈥� said Hall. 鈥淲e鈥檙e working toward 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 future, and that includes training 熊猫在线视频ns who are uniquely qualified; have an understanding of the state鈥檚 diverse cultures; economic and social conditions; remoteness and geographic challenges and best prepared to serve long term in 熊猫在线视频. The council knew the stakeholders who would benefit from a robust workforce and from there, we came together.鈥�
"UAA is grateful to receive the necessary resources to expand enrollment capacity for the School of Social Work, and thankful for the community partners who worked to make this happen," said Sean Parnell, UAA chancellor. "This funding will allow the program to better meet the workforce demand for qualified social work professionals in 熊猫在线视频."
The increased funding will allow the university to expand its social work program to eventually include up to 80 full-time students working toward a masters degree with clinical licensure.
The collective grant was announced at a Giving Tuesday event on the UAA campus. Official comments from funders included:
Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of 熊猫在线视频
鈥淲hen private and public funders come together like this, it allows organizations to continue focusing and building on what they know is right for the community,鈥� said Paul Hollie, head of Premera Social Impact. 鈥淯AA鈥檚 School of Social Work has developed an incredible workforce expansion program. Combined with Recover 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 great work, the ripple effect of their successes will be felt in 熊猫在线视频n communities for years to come.鈥�
Providence 熊猫在线视频
鈥淥ur state is in critical need of more health care professionals and partnering with the University of 熊猫在线视频 to build up our workforce is a top priority for Providence,鈥� said Ella Goss, MSN, RN, Providence 熊猫在线视频 chief executive. 鈥淒eveloping a homegrown workforce is an important long-term strategy for 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 health care industry. That is why Providence is honored to contribute $150,000 over three years to support the expansion of UAA鈥檚 social work program.鈥�
熊猫在线视频 Mental Health Trust Authority
鈥淭rust beneficiaries experiencing substance use and mental health challenges are currently
underserved in 熊猫在线视频, in large part due to workforce challenges,鈥� said Steve Williams,
CEO of the Trust. 鈥淲e are so pleased to join our funding partners to advance this
university initiative that will increase the workforce and capacity in our behavioral
health continuum of care, and ultimately improve health outcomes for 熊猫在线视频ns.鈥�
About the UAA School of Social Work:
The UAA School of Social Work is dedicated to advancing social work practice in 熊猫在线视频 through baccalaureate and master鈥檚 education, research and service. Social work is a profession committed to ethical and research-informed practice that assists individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; advances social, economic and environmental justice; and engages in policy practice. The School of Social Work offers the following degrees and certificates: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Occupational Endorsement Certificate in interpersonal child welfare, and a minor in social welfare studies. Learn more at .
About Recover 熊猫在线视频:
Recover 熊猫在线视频 is a statewide action group with a mission to reduce excessive alcohol use and related harms across 熊猫在线视频, and a vision of 熊猫在线视频ns living free from the consequences of alcohol misuse and empowered to achieve full potential. To learn more about Recover 熊猫在线视频, access research and data, or read about 熊猫在线视频ns in recovery, visit .
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