Educating Social Workers in Evidence Based Practice and Treatments in Mental Health The NY State Social Work in Mental Health Consortium Nancy J. Smyth, PhD, LCSW University at Buffalo

NY State Social Work-Mental Health Consortium The NY State Office of Mental Health (OMH) identified need for: –More social workers to work people with serious mental health conditions –Workforce skilled in evidence-based practices Statewide collaboration formed between OMH and the NY State Deans & Directors of Social Work Schools to address these needs

Project Evolution Year 1-Planning Phase ( ): University at Buffalo Coordinating Center (UBCC) –Survey of MSW programs across the state on current inclusion of EBPs in mental health curriculum –Focus groups with field educators Extra field colloquia Screening of students Year 2-Program Development Phase ( ): UBCC & Five Pilot Schools & Office of Mental Health (OMH): Adelphi University Columbia University University at Albany University at Buffalo Yeshiva University

Project Evolution (#2) Program Developed in Year 2 –Seminar Syllabus (Developed by Faculty Group) –Enhanced Field Component: Placement Selection Process & Field Colloquia Identification & matching of EBPs placements w/Schools Stipends –Evaluation Instrument Year 3-Implementation at Pilot Schools ( ) & added certificate and job referral components, coordinating center role defined

Project Evolution (#3) Year 4-Present (2004+) Expansion & System Implementation Across the State –Additional Schools Binghamton University Greater Rochester Collaborative MSW Fordham University University at Stony Brook Hunter College New York University Syracuse University Year 6-Present (2006+) Curriculum Update

Seminar Topics Recovery, Stigma & Mental Illness Evidence Based Practice Assertive Community Treatment Motivational Interviewing Wellness Self- Management Medication Management Open Topic Co-occurring Disorders Treatment Family Intervention Supported Employment Social Skills Training Trauma & Serious Mental Illness Peer Support & Self-Help Change Agent/Technology Transfer in Organizations

Impact Over 700 students enrolled in the seminar (only 110 are “project” students) –85% indicated they would be likely to see employment in a setting serving people with serious mental health problems –94% reported that EBPs would be useful in future practice Participating universities have more than doubled (5 to 11) since project’s inception Over 110 “project” students have completed/are finishing the program (project=students officially enrolled in project, this year n=30). Availability of EBPs placements to non-project students –Over 60 EBP placement slots available 07-08, only ½ filled by project students –Many non-project students have completed EBP placements (data forthcoming)

Impact (#2) New partnerships developed between universities and agencies Four universities have matched the stipends to expand the programs Project graduates are being hired into OMH sites Research is underway to assess impact after graduation

Challenges Lack of qualified faculty at some schools Larger schools implemented model as designed, model needed individualization for all the smaller schools Placement of Seminar in the Curriculum –Restricted course offerings at smaller schools –Type of course Required vs. Elective Research or Practice (does better as a practice course) –Timing of the course (fall vs.spring) –Students wanting more skills in rigorous literature review (not acquiring them in 1 st year) Field Colloquia: wide range & faculty roles Fidelity Assessments of Field Placements by the OMH

Preliminary Conclusions Model appears to be working well to address workforce needs identified by the agency Students report high satisfaction and good integration of course & field related to EBPs High impact given the cost (approx. $100,000 a year statewide) Longer term impact is not known at this time