WED-011 - Addressing the Critical Workforce Shortage in School-based Mental health:the Mental Health Service Professional Internship Program

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how a multi-partner initiative is expanding Georgia’s school-based mental health workforce through a federally funded internship program addressing gaps in student support services. Learn how collaboration among universities, agencies, and school districts is building a pipeline of graduate-level social work interns to serve high-need schools. Gain insights into recruitment, training, and placement strategies that prepare interns to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Recognize how shared goals among stakeholders are driving innovation and improving access to mental health services for underserved youth. Explore outcomes and lessons learned, including increased service capacity and stronger school-community relationships. Leave with strategies to replicate or adapt this model to support student well-being and promote equity in care delivery.

Detailed abstract description: This presentation will explore a dynamic, real-world solution to the growing mental health crisis in schools through the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Internship Program—an innovative, federally funded initiative coordinated by the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing at the Georgia Health Policy Center. This session offers attendees a front-row seat to a collaborative model that is actively transforming mental health support in underserved school districts.

Learn how the program addresses the critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals by recruiting, training, and placing graduate-level social work interns from three metro Atlanta universities into Clayton County Public Schools—one of Georgia’s highest-need districts, serving over 50,000 students. The majority of students are youth of color: 69% African American, 13% Hispanic, 9% White, and 5% Asian. Attendees will gain insight into how the program leverages cross-sector partnerships with state agencies, universities, community service boards, and local education agencies to build a sustainable workforce pipeline.

Discover how the initiative builds on the Georgia Apex Program framework to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive care to students across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Intern placements have grown from 13 in year one to 24 in year two, with a goal of 30 annually—reaching up to 600 students per year. During the program’s first two years, the number of Clayton County schools served by the Georgia Apex Program increased by 233%, and services delivered rose by 592%.

Understand how the internship program was intentionally designed to advance health equity by increasing access to school-based mental health services for students who are underinsured, enrolled in Medicaid, or experiencing housing instability. By embedding trained interns directly in schools, the program reduces barriers to care and ensures services are accessible, culturally responsive, and delivered where students spend most of their time.

Recognize the early impact and lessons learned from implementation, including increased service capacity, improved student engagement, and stronger school-community relationships. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for replicating or adapting this model in their own communities, including guidance on partnership development, intern supervision, and sustainable funding.

Whether you're a public health professional, educator, policymaker, or mental health advocate, this presentation will equip you with actionable tools to strengthen school-based mental health services and promote equity in care delivery.