📍Connecticut
Scaling Graduate Psychology Education for a Sustainable Workforce
Challenge:
How can a health center expand psychology training in a way that meets rigorous standards, supports a complex clinical environment, and aligns with staffing needs across an integrated system of medical, dental, and behavioral health services?
Solution:
Community Health Center, Inc., a health center in Connecticut, leveraged HRSA/BHW Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) funding to assist in the development of a comprehensive psychology training pathway spanning practicum, internship, and postdoctoral levels, focusing on building a behavioral health therapy practicum program. The health center implemented the following strategies:
- GPE-funded curriculum: Developed a formal curriculum for trainees and staff that expanded group programming and created interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
- Community mental health exposure: Provided both in-person and telehealth based clinical opportunities in integrated primary care settings, building competency and excitement for working in medically under-resourced areas.
- Faculty mentorship & structured learning path: Established a clear training sequence (i.e., practicum – internship – postdoctoral) supported by faculty mentorship and a guided path to growth within the organization.
- Academic & clinical partnerships: Enhanced collaboration with university partners through regular check-ins, recruitment outreach, visibility at events, and shared planning processes.
Impact:
✅ Trained more than 300 providers across practicum, internship, and postdoctoral levels
✅ Developed a sustainable, structured training program for long-term workforce engagement.
✅ Strengthened academic and community partnerships to enhance recruitment, adaptability and long-term workforce retention.
✅ Supported more than 30 GPE-funded trainees in six years, expanding access to high-quality behavioral health education.