BIDDEFORD — The University of New England has been awarded a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant from the Health Resource Services Administration totaling $448,000.
This is the university’s third time receiving the grant.
The grant will provide advanced year UNE students with the funds to work with Maine’s aging and underserved population. Titled TRIAD, for Training in Aging Diversity, the grant funds a four-year program that will, “bring classroom and clinical education to Maine’s rural communities,” the university stated in a press release.
According to university administrators, goals of TRIAD include furthering students’ knowledge of the needs of today’s older adult population and increasing an understanding of what constitutes best practice health services for the rural, older demographic.
“This award reflects the School of Social Work’s vision for enhancing Master of Social Work graduates’ ability to deliver high quality, culturally appropriate care to aging individuals and their families residing in rural Maine,” stated interim dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions Karen Pardue.
Pardue added that as well as supporting students’ education, the grant will help inspire a workforce committed to improving health services for rural Maine, which is in many ways lacking.
UNE will now begin implementing clinical placements and residencies for students across rural Maine. Additionally, The School of Social Work will start developing core curriculum dedicated to the understanding of aging and neuroscience.
The TRIADS program officially kicks off on Sept. 30.
— Staff Writer Ryder Schumacher can be reached at 282-1535, or via email at rschumacher@journaltribune.com.
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