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(Initially published July 10, 2025 on the )

A federal grant supports Rochester’s School of Nursing and Warner School to prepare mental health professionals to work with youth in under-resourced communities.

The has received a $2.4 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to address critical shortages in the behavioral health workforce for youth in rural and under-resourced communities. The four-year project, launching in 2025, is a collaboration between the University’s and Warner School of Education and Human Development.

Depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and suicidality among youth are rising concerns across New York State, especially in rural areas with limited access to care. In many of the regions served by the new initiative, there are an average of 550 residents for each mental health provider—compared to the statewide average of 350.

The new initiative, titled Uniting Nurses and Integrating Therapists for Youth (UNITY), will prepare 48 master’s-level psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) and mental health counselors over the next four years. The program is led by , a professor of clinical nursing and the specialty director of the at the School of Nursing, and Hennessey Lustica, an assistant professor of counseling and human development and the director of the advanced certificate programs in mental health counseling at the Warner School.

Graduates of the UNITY program will be equipped to provide high-quality, culturally responsive, interprofessional care to youth at risk for mental health, trauma-related, and behavioral disorders.

“Receiving the HRSA grant marks a transformative opportunity for our PMHNP program at the ������Ƶ,” Blaakman says. “It empowers us to develop interprofessional partnerships that will expand students’ clinical and experiential learning, support underrepresented and rural populations, and cultivate future leaders equipped to deliver high-quality care where it’s needed most.”

Key components of UNITY include the following:

• Interprofessional education, robust clinical placements, and ongoing professional development
• Specialized training in trauma-informed care, substance use disorders, pediatric service collaboration, and mind-body wellness
• Internships at five high-need sites serving disadvantaged youth, including the University’s , Delphi Rise, Villa of Hope, Seneca County Community Counseling, and Family Counseling Services of the Finger Lakes, among others across New York State

The project also addresses non-academic barriers to success for students, including financial support through stipends, flexible training options, and access to mental health and wellness resources. A new three-credit interdisciplinary master’s-level course titled Sustaining Interdisciplinary Excellence in Child and Adolescent Mental Health will be developed to ensure the program’s impact endures beyond the funding period.

“This grant is truly life-changing for our mental health students,” Lustica says. “It not only reduces financial barriers but also opens doors to rich, hands-on training experiences in schools and communities that desperately need more mental health support. By investing in these future professionals, we’re creating a stronger, more compassionate workforce ready to meet the complex needs of children and families across our region.”

UNITY will be implemented in close collaboration with community partners and will include ongoing evaluation to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability. Findings and resources from the project will be disseminated regionally and nationally, helping to shape best practices in behavioral health workforce development.

������Ƶ the ������Ƶ’s mental health programs

The ������Ƶ is a leader in preparing the next generation of mental health professionals through innovative, evidence-based training and practice. Our nationally recognized programs empower graduates to make a meaningful impact across a wide range of communities and care settings

School of Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program

Ranked among the top 15 in the nation by US News & World Report, our offers a flexible, hybrid-online format designed to meet the needs of working nurses throughout New York State. Students gain advanced skills in assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology, preparing them to provide high-quality mental healthcare across the lifespan. Graduates are eligible for national certification and are equipped to serve in a wide range of settings—from hospitals and primary care to schools and private practice. The program also offers robust ������Ƶ opportunities to address the critical need for mental health providers in Western New York.

Warner School of Education and Human Development: Mental Health Counseling Programs

The Warner School’s Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited Mental Health Counseling programs prepare students to become licensed mental health counselors ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The graduate programs emphasize holistic, culturally responsive care and evidence-based interventions, with flexible options for full- or part-time study. Through extensive practicum and internship experiences in a variety of settings (including outpatient clinics, schools, and treatment centers), graduates are prepared to support individuals, couples, families, and groups across the lifespan. Graduates are also eligible for New York State licensure and can pursue specializations such as substance use counseling.