South Texas senator aids in UTRGV scholarship fund

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Rio Grande Valley native and Texas State Senator Morgan LaMantia is aiding students focusing on social work and health care studies with a scholarship program.

State Senator LaMantia, who represents District 27, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are collaborating to boost the Stars Scholarship Fund to increase the number of behavioral health professionals in the Valley.

LaMantia's goal with the scholarship program is to make mental health support and resources accessible in the area while granting better access to becoming a licensed clinical social worker.

"We wanted to do something that was going to help improve mental health. And make sure there are more resources available for everyone here in south Texas," LaMantia said.

Stars Scholarship Fund is gifting $130,000 to UTRGV and has plans to partner with other universities in Texas.

"$130,000 is going to cover 80% of Masters of Social Works hours after they graduate, while they're trying to be clinical workers," LaMantia said. "With this program, students will only have to pay $2,000, which should eliminate some of the biggest obstacles that our students face."

LaMantia adds that this fall, 36 students will be able to utilize the money for their supervised clinical hours.

"This allows us to really take one step forward in making sure that we have mental health resources that are accessible, and affordable to everyone in our community," LaMantia said.