Implementing a Culturally Responsive and Collaborative Interdisciplinary School Mental Health Program to Support Spanish-Speaking Communities

Working to Support Mental Health in Spanish-Speaking Communities 

Principal Investigator Dr. Keith Radley (Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology), along with Co-Investigators Dr. Aaron Fischer (Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology) and Dr. Philip Osteen (Associate Professor in the College of Social Work), have launched a new program, A Culturally Responsive and Collaborative Interdisciplinary School Mental Health Training Program in Support of Spanish-Speaking Communities, to address mental health needs in Utah's Spanish-speaking youth. 

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program will place 22 graduate students seeking school psychology or social work degrees directly in Salt Lake City schools. Students in the program will receive a generous stipend and benefits package in addition to enhanced linguistic and cultural diversity training before being placed in schools across the valley to support the mental health and social needs of Utah's growing Spanish-speaking population. The student cohorts will also benefit from interdisciplinary training and practicums in school psychology and social work, ensuring they are career-ready to work on multidisciplinary teams. Trained and credentialed school psychologists and social workers will provide oversight, feedback, and support to the student trainees throughout their time in the program. Upon graduation, students become full-time employees of the school districts they have been serving. 

Spanish-speaking youth--one of the state's fastest-growing populations--will have direct and easy access to mental health supports and social services through professionals trained to be culturally and linguistically responsive. Such direct access to these services will help students in need overcome traditional barriers and stigmas to care.    

Students interested in applying to the program should contact Dr. Keith Radley. 

 

                                                                             

                                               Dr. Keith Radley                                       Dr. Aaron Fischer                                                 Dr. Philip Osteen

                                        Principal Investigator                                    Co-Investigator                                                     Co-Investigator