Scholarship fund with UTRGV aims to increase licensed clinical social workers

To better address mental health professional shortages in the Valley, a partnership between UTRGV, the STARS Scholarship fund and the LaMantia family aims to increase licensed clinical social workers through scholarships.

Announced at a press conference on Aug. 1 at UTRGV’s Institute of Neuroscience in Harlingen, Sen. Morgan LaMantia said the scholarship fund is $130,000 with UTRGV providing additional support.

The goal of the scholarship is that more culturally and linguistically competent licensed clinical social workers serve individuals and families in the Valley.

The fund is designed to assist UTRGV Master of Science in Social Work graduates in becoming licensed clinical social workers.

The fund is exclusive to UTRGV students and graduates.

Licensed clinical social workers are skilled mental health professionals authorized to diagnose and treat individuals and families of all ages and economic groups. Some of the range of issues include behavioral disorders, addictions, mental illness and emotional disturbances.

This is the highest level of licensure in social work with social workers needing to complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in two to four years.

Social workers also need to receive a minimum of 100 hours of supervision by a licensed clinical social worker and pass the state licensing exam.

Founding dean and professor for the UTRGV School of Social Work Luis Torres-Hostos said the requirements do not come cheap and cost about $12,500.

Torres-Hostos added the scholarship funds come at an important time for the region which is one of the most medically underserved in the state.

“The Rio Grande Valley is medically underserved in both health and mental health,” he said. “So we need social workers that are (licensed clinical social workers). There’s long waiting lists if you’re trying to get a therapist for anything. There’s sometimes six, eight months waiting list to get a good therapist”

The new scholarship fund will pay 80% of those expenses leaving students responsible for about $2,000.

Faculty from the UTRGV School of Social Work will also provide supervision.

When all the requirements are met, the fund will also cover the student’s $129 licensing exam fee.

The inaugural cohort of 36 students is set to start this fall.

“Over the next two years … we will make it possible for people in the Valley to get well trained (licensed clinical social workers) that understand your community and your culture and can really help you deal with whatever you need to deal with,” he said.

UTRGV is the first school to implement the funds with the LaMantia family also announcing pledging $1 million to similar programs at other universities in south and west Texas ensuring continued support.

For more information on the scholarship fund, contact the UTRGV School of Social Work.

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