Semester of Graduation

Spring 2019

Degree

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

School of Social Work

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The Health Services and Resource Administration (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has recognized a need for mental health and substance abuse services for children, adolescents, and transitional youth who are at-risk for developing behavioral health disorders. In response to this need, the Obama administration delegated funds to multiple universities for the purpose of expanding the social work labor force. Louisiana State University is among those that received a block grant, allowing some of the students in the School of Social Work to participate in a Behavioral Health Workforce Education Training (BHWET) Program. This quasi-experimental study explored whether syudents’ participation in the BHWET program increased their competencies in five important areas of social work: values, ethics, and theoretical perspectives; assessment; intervention; at-risk youth services, programs, and policies; and leadership. Comparisons of surveys indicated that students who participated in the BHWET program were significantly more competent than their peers who did not participate in the BHWET program in all of the five areas analyzed. We discuss the limitations of this study as well as implications for future social work practice and research.

Committee Chair

Wilks, Scott

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.4929

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