HRSA BHWET Paraprofessional Funding Program

For Academic Year 2020-2021

Each academic year, this grant will support a limited number of financial awards to undergraduate and certificate-seeking students committed to working with substance use/dependency and/or high-risk youth in rural and medically underserved Colorado communities. The full grant award is for four years in the amount of $1.13 million with $283,200 awarded for each academic year.

MSU Denver is excited to expand its workforce development efforts in the field of Behavioral Health through this interdepartmental collaborative.

The Award

Financial support up to $3,000 is available to each recipient;

Funds may be dispersed over 12 months for full-time students and over 24 months for part-time students;

Awards will be granted to selected applicants, based on the quality of the application submitted. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.

Who Can Apply?

Students or individuals who meet requirements from A and B are eligible to apply for the HRSA BHWET Paraprofessional Funding Program for the 2020-2021 academic year:

A. Current MSU Denver undergraduate or community members/non-degree students who are seeking a certificate (Certificate Course Requirements) in:

• Addiction Studies (Certified Addictions Counselor I or II)
  OR
• High Risk Youth

B. AND you must meet one of the following requirements:

• Undergraduate student who has completed a minimum of 60 credit hours (junior or senior) and is currently in good academic standing;
  OR
• Community member/non-degree seeking student who will complete all required certificate coursework within 12-months of receiving the funding.

The academic plans, course and certificate requirements for both certificate options are administered by the Department of Human Services and Counseling. If you have any questions related to the certificates, courses, program, or completion requirements, please contact the Annie Butler, in the Department of Human Services and Counseling at 303-615-0243, or visit their website.

Student Obligations

If a student is selected and chooses to accept the HRSA Paraprofessional Funding, they must:

• Successfully complete all required undergraduate or certificate coursework and program requirements
• Successfully obtain a certificate through the appropriate granting agency:
  • High Risk Youth Certificate – MSU Denver
  • Certified Addictions Counselor Certificate (CAC) I or II – Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
• Commit to working in Colorado within the corresponding field of focus (Addictions or High Risk Youth) for a period of time equivalent to 6 months post-graduation
  • Employment must be secured within 12 months of graduation/completion and verified with MSU Denver HRSA staff once obtained.
  • Regular contact with MSU Denver staff is expected until the 6-month employment requirement and the terms of the funding contract have been fully met.

Application Instructions

To apply, complete the HRSA Funding application packet and submit it following the instructions below.

Only TYPED and completed application packets will be accepted. Application packets must include the following:

• Download and complete the Application Form (HRSA Paraprofessional Funding Application – 2020-2021)
• Resume: 1-2 pages and UPDATED (including educational and work/volunteer experience)
• Cover letter: 250 words approximately, explaining the reason for your interest in the HRSA program, with a focus on your specific interest in your chosen degree/program and/or field of work (Addiction Studies or High Risk Youth)

Please ensure to complete ALL components of the application packet and submit all materials together, to Guadalupe “Lupe” Vargas, HRSA Grant Coordinator, using one of the methods below:

• Email: [email protected]
• Drop Off: Department of Social Work main office, Central Classroom room 201
• Mail:
  Metropolitan State University of Denver
  Department of Social Work
  ATTN: Guadalupe Vargas, HRSA Grant Coordinator
  PO Box 173362, Campus Box 70
  Denver, CO 80217-3362

Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a first come, first serve basis, throughout the length of the application period. Only completed application packets will be reviewed for acceptance. Awardees will be selected based on the quality of the entire application packet.

Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance status.

If you have further questions, please contact Guadalupe “Lupe” Vargas, HRSA Grant Coordinator, at [email protected].

Forms:

HRSA Paraprofessional Funding Application – 2020-2021