Opioid Workforce Expansion Program (OWEP) Professionals – HRSA–19–085

VOICE Program

Vital Opioid/Substance Abuse Instruction Through Community-based Experiential Training

Purpose

• It is imperative to provide counseling students both didactic education on rural and integrated health and practicum and internship experiences in high need and high demand settings to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes within Wisconsin’s underserved populations.
• The Viterbo VOICE initiative will create a sustainable approach, training students to provide OUD and SUD prevention, treatment and recovery services, and behavioral health services by leveraging community partnerships in ways that benefit students, partners, and ultimately, the clients they serve.

Grant Objectives

1. Recruit and support a diverse group of 15 MSMHC students into the VOICE initiative annually
2. Develop and expand internship sites in integrated and/or interprofessional team-based care settings that serve clients with OUD and SUD and/or at-risk children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth in high need and high demand areas
3. Enhance learning experiences for all MSMHC students regarding OUD, SUD, and/or children, adolescent, and transitional age youth in integrated behavioral health settings
4. Provide education, activities, and strategies for regional stakeholders involved in the provision of prevention, treatment, and recovery servicesImplement a faculty development plan to support VOICE initiative objectives

Objective 1 Expanded

• To support students who show interest in serving as mental health professionals in high need and high demand areas (i.e., rural, underserved communities), stipends will be awarded to qualified students selected for the VOICE initiative.

Student Placement in Internship Sites

• After the grant team admits students to the VOICE initiative, the PD will work in collaboration with site supervisors to place students in sites that have integrated and/or interprofessional team-based care with two or more health disciplines focusing on OUD and other SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services, and/or services for at-risk children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth.
• Sites will include behavioral health agencies and nonprofit organizations that are predominantly located in high need and high demand areas (i.e., rural, underserved) within a 150-mile radius of La Crosse, Wis.

This website is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $741,201 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. government.

Checklist for  Viterbo VOICE applicants