By Staff, LCUNews
PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) — Louisiana Christian University was awarded $396,753 from The Rapides Foundation Healthcare Occupations Program for its social work and nursing projects.
The Social Work Behavioral Healthcare Education and Workforce Improvement Project will increase the number of graduates seeking a master’s degree in social work. The program is projected to graduate 75 over three years with a behavioral healthcare specialization and commitment to work in the nine-parish service area for two years after graduation.
Sheri Duffy, the MSW program director at LCU said the project, funded by The Rapides Foundation, is a joint effort of the BSW and MSW programs at LCU whose goal is to recruit, train and retain future licensed social workers in Central Louisiana.
“This grant allows LCU programs to offer stipends to students which will aid them in continuing their education and in return students receiving stipends will commit to field practicums and future employment in agencies with behavioral health opportunities,” Duffy said.
Duffy and Bobbye Roberts, BSW program director, partnered to create the project.
“The need for licensed social workers in behavioral health is significant in the Central Louisiana area. Research shows short and long-term job growth for social workers in this region in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, and healthcare,” Roberts said.
The BSW stipend for senior social work majors is a way to ensure that the student pursues the MSW degree at LCU in the behavioral healthcare specialization. Those receiving the stipend will receive necessary financial support for their education and clinical training in the behavioral healthcare arena.
Ultimately, both BSW and MSW graduates will be equipped to fulfill positions in underserved communities in this immediate region.
“The financial commitment of The Rapides Foundation is deeply appreciated on multiple levels,” said LCU President Rick Brewer. “The Louisiana Christian University Mission and Vision provides the “why” behind the “what” in terms of equipping students to be lifetime
learners, leaders, and servants. Clearly, this approach aligns with the focus of The Rapides Foundation partnering to foster human flourishing while improving the health status of Central Louisiana.”
Funding from The Foundation also will enable LCU to increase the number of nursing graduates by focusing on strategies to retain, graduate and prepare traditional and accelerated nursing students to pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX).
“The funds provided by this grant will facilitate the preparation of more graduates who will take and pass the NCLEX licensure exam,” said Marilyn Cooksey, dean of nursing at LCU. “This is especially important at this time with the documented shortage of nurses and the impact of COVID-19 on the numbers of registered nurses.”
The multi-year grants were awarded through the Foundation’s Healthcare Occupations Program, which seeks to increase the number of healthcare graduates prepared to meet the basic level of licensure or certification required by employers for initial hire of high[1]demand healthcare occupations.
“Access to quality healthcare services is important to reduce health disparities and improve health status,” said Joe Rosier, president and CEO of The Rapides Foundation. “We know that the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals is often cited as one of the main barriers to people receiving care. These grants will address the issue by increasing the number of health professionals who graduate and are prepared to provide critical healthcare services within the region.”
