Schools of Social Work Project for Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health

Overview

The Office of Mental Health – Schools of Social Work Project is a partnership between OMH and Schools/Departments of Social Work in New York. Students receive training and education in recovery oriented, evidence-based practices for adults diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness (SMI).

The partnership began in 2001. The University at Albany School of Social Work created the U-Albany Coordinating Center (UACC) to support the project. The collaboration includes fourteen Schools or Departments of Social Work.

The primary goal of the Project is to prepare masters level social work (MSW) students entering a changing mental health service system.

Participating MSW students learn about:

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
• Wellness Self-management (WSM)
• Supported Employment
• Family Psycho-education
• Co-occurring Disorders Treatment/Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT)
• Peer Support
• Suicide Prevention
• And many other best practices

Approved internships offer opportunities to learn about various practices including:

• cognitive approaches to treatment
• motivational interviewing
• trauma informed treatment models

Each school has a faculty project director who coordinates the project and serves as liaison with OMH and UACC staff. OMH provides support through funding.

Project Components

Course: A one-semester master's level social work course in evidence-based practice in mental health. The current syllabus is available upon request.

Colloquia: Four project colloquia coordinated by the faculty directors or their colleagues. Students then apply the colloquia, course content, and material to their field experience.

Internship: Participation in an evidence-based practice field placement/internship. Approved field sites are available in five regions of New York:

• Long Island
• New York City
• Hudson River
• Central New York
• Western New York

Participating Schools

14 universities and colleges take part in the Project through their Schools or Department of Social Work:

• Adelphi University
• Binghamton University
• College of Brockport
• Columbia University
• Fordham University
• Hunter College
• Nazareth College
• New York University
• Roberts Wesleyan College
• Stony Brook University
• Syracuse University
• Touro College
• University at Albany
• Yeshiva University

Student Award Criteria

Project faculty at each participating school selects the student award recipients. Students who meet the award requirements receive a certificate and small financial award. The faculty director verifies that students meet the following requirements:

• Complete the social work course in evidence-based practice in mental health during the school year. Students must receive a passing grade.
• Complete a one-year internship at an approved EBP field placement site.
• Attend the designated field colloquia series offered at each participating school.

Students may also qualify for our Diversity Incentive Awards which are open to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color (BIPOC).

We encourage students enrolled at a participating school to inquire about the Project at the Field Education office or with the Faculty Director for that program.

For more information, please send questions to: Social Work EBP Project.