WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced $532,384 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program at West Virginia University (WVU) and Marshall University.
This program helps fund clinical internships and field placements for various behavioral health occupations to expand the mental health and substance abuse workforce serving children, adolescents and young adults who have or are at risk of developing behavioral health disorders. Last week, with the support of Senators Capito and Manchin, the Labor HHS bill that passed out of the Appropriations committee included $50 million for the program.
“This funding is welcome news to the West Virginians who rely on this program. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was glad to advocate for expanding treatment for those in need of mental health and addiction services especially in rural and medically underserved areas, and I look forward to positive outcomes that will result from this investment,” Senator Capito said.
“Equipping our next generation of behavioral health professionals is so important in West Virginia’s fight to end the opioid epidemic,” Senator Manchin said. “I’m pleased to see this funding head to West Virginia University and Marshall University and I will continue to fight for the resources West Virginia needs to ensure every community has access to quality mental health and addiction services.”
Individual awards listed below:
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