RURAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Education, Learning & Leadership (BHWELL) Program
The Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Education, Learning, & Leadership (BHWELL) Program is a clinical training and certificate program at the University of Illinois for Masters of Social Work for students who want to learn patient-centered, team-based models for integrating health and mental health services in primary care settings in rural and underserved areas in Illinois during their field placement internship. BHWELL is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
BHWELL Features:
BHWELL scholars complete specialized MSW coursework on Integrated Care. Through the program, students:
- Participate in two or more Interprofessional Education (IPE) events for health professions
- Complete a 2-semester internship in a BHWELL-approved site
- Participate in ongoing (mostly online) seminars during a 2-semester approved BHWELL field placement, with emphasis on interprofessional, team-based, integrated behavioral health care and implementation.
BHWELL works closely with the National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP) and the Illinois Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network to identify and develop partnerships with primary care sites, invite prospective BHWELL students to apply and to offer on-going support for interprofessional practice during students’ BHWELL field placements.
Applications are submitted through the BHWELL website.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the BHWELL Program, students must:
- Be accepted into the MSW program and maintain good standing
- Apply to the BHWELL scholars program and be selected
- Pursue the clinical concentration; all focus areas welcome to apply
- Be committed to working in rural/underserved area after graduation for at least two to five years
Contact
General Inquiries
Janet Liechty
PhD, LCSW, Project Director
