Students

Project MABAS

Project MABAS: Enhancing the Promotion of Mental Health Wellbeing of Children and Youth in High-Need Schools through Preparing School-Based Behavior Analysts and Social Workers

Project MABAS addresses the Absolute Priority of the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program, ‘Expand Capacity of High-Need Local Educational Agencies (LEAs)’ with the overarching goal of enhancing the promotion of mental health well-being of children and youth with or at risk for behavioral and mental health challenges by preparing 40 high-quality school-based behavior analysts and social workers from diverse backgrounds to promote inclusive practices. The project will address two comparative priorities: (1) Increase the number of qualified school-based mental health service providers (MHSPs) in high-need LEAs, who are from diverse backgrounds or from communities served by the high-need LEAs and (2) Promote inclusive practices regarding race, ethnicity, culture, language, disability, and for students who identify as LGBTQI+, and prepare school-based MHSPs to create culturally and linguistically inclusive and identity-safe environments for students when providing services.

Students interested in becoming a school social worker should apply. 

MSW students in the full-time Tampa campus program or full-time advanced-standing program (Tampa campus or online) may apply. 

Scholarship Support Provided: 

• Paid in-state tuition for the entirety of the Master’s program

• Monthly stipends

• Financial assistance for conference attendance

• Financial assistance for travel to school districts during school-based internship

Service obligation: 

Upon exiting the program, all students receiving scholarships through this project are required to maintain eligible employment on a full-time or full-time equivalent basis and provide related services to children in the school system for a period of two years for everyone academic year for which assistance is received.

For more information please see the flyer below and contact Dr. Alison Salloum, Professor, School of Social Work at asalloum@usf.edu

Application Process (click here)

Project MABAS is a 5-year, $3.9 million grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (S184X230042)